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Kylian Mbappé and France are sizzling — and not just because of MetLife Stadium’s broiling conditions.
Mbappé had his third two-goal game of this World Cup and set a career scoring record for the tournament’s knockout rounds, leading Les Bleus over Sweden 3-0 on Tuesday to set up a round of 16 match against Paraguay.
“I personally haven’t seen a better team,” Sweden coach Graham Potter said.
France’s 27-year-old star scored the go-ahead goal with a brilliant crossover step in the 45th minute and added his sixth goal of the tournament in the 74th to tie Lionel Messi for the tournament scoring lead. He has 18 goals in 18 World Cup games, one behind the Argentine’s career scoring record of 19 in 29 matches.
In between, Bradley Barcola had a 53rd-minute goal for France, which became the first nation to score three or more goals in five consecutive World Cup matches.
“I’m very aware of who I am, how I play, what I shall do, but it’s not just about me,” Mbappé said through a translator. “The entire team is aware of what should be done. It is a new competition that has started today. We did play well, but we were timid. We could have done better at the beginning.”
Mbappé’s 10 knockout round goals are two more than the previous high by Brazilian greats Leonidas and Ronaldo.
France coach Didier Deschamps bowed when Mbappé came to the bench after he was substituted in the 85th minute.
“We’re on a mission — so am I with them,” Deschamps said through a translator.
France has outscored opponents 13-2. Michael Olise has five assists, the most in a World Cup since Germany’s Thomas Hassler had five in 1994.
“They are skilled at knowing when to change the pace and increase it, when to possess the ball, went to fall back,” Sweden captain Victor Lindelöf said through a translator.
