France’s Mbappé Matches Messi in World Cup Scoring Race
Tyunews.com – In a thrilling encounter at MeLife Stadium, France secured a 3-0 victory over Sweden on Tuesday, setting up a crucial Round of 16 clash against Paraguay. Kylian Mbappé, the star of the match, showcased his brilliance with two goals, equaling Lionel Messi’s tally of six in the tournament and extending his World Cup career total to 18.
Record-Breaking Performance
France’s attacking prowess was on full display as Mbappé opened the scoring in the 45th minute with a dazzling crossover maneuver. His second goal in the 74th minute not only capped his third two-goal game in four matches but also tied Messi’s record for most goals in the World Cup knockout stage. Bradley Barcola contributed a 53rd-minute strike, bolstering France’s lead.
“I’m very aware of who I am, how I play, what I shall do, but it’s not just about me. 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.” – Kylian Mbappé
With 10 goals in the knockout rounds, Mbappé surpassed the previous mark set by Brazilian legends Leonidas and Ronaldo. His 61st international goal was celebrated with a dramatic run down the center of the field, where he collided with Ousmane Dembélé before hugging coach Didier Deschamps.
Sweden’s captain, Victor Lindelöf, acknowledged the challenge France posed: “If we look at where we were not so long ago — we’re here and we’ve played in the World Cup. We lost against one of the best countries in the world.” The match saw France outshoot Sweden 25-7, with 15 shots on target in the first half alone.
Upcoming Challenges
France, the 2022 World Cup runner-up and reigning favorites, has now outscored opponents 13-2 in their group stage. Michael Olise assisted on five goals, while Mbappé’s diagonal strike in the 6-yard box sealed the win. The team will face Paraguay on July 4 in Philadelphia, with the winner advancing to a quarterfinal showdown against Canada or Morocco.
The game took place under sweltering conditions, with temperatures hitting 90 degrees Fahrenheit and high humidity. France defender Lucas Digne took a refreshing break during the first half by dousing himself with a sprinkler. Despite a missed chance in the 32nd minute when Mbappé hit the post, Olise’s bicycle kick moments later nearly extended France’s advantage.
A crowd of 80,663 attended the match, breaking the expanded tournament’s attendance record. Fans predominantly wore France’s blue, with a small section sporting Sweden’s yellow. Mbappé wasn’t ready to shift focus to Paraguay just yet, expressing his anticipation for the next phase: “I’m looking forward to the changing room and the AC.”
