SOCCER: Mbappe uncorks France as Sweden are swept aside in Champagne World Cup show

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — France national football team delivered a dominant attacking display on Tuesday, cruising past Sweden national football team 3-0 at MetLife Stadium to secure a place in the World Cup Round of 16.

The final scoreline was arguably generous to Sweden, as France’s fluid front line carved out chance after chance and might have produced a far heavier defeat. Only the woodwork and a series of narrow misses kept the margin respectable. France now move on to face Paraguay national football team in the next round.

At the center of the performance was captain Kylian Mbappé, who once again proved decisive on the biggest stage. From the opening minutes, he looked intent on taking control of the match, constantly stretching Sweden’s defense with his pace and movement.

Mbappé’s two goals brought his World Cup tally to 18, moving him within one of Lionel Messi on the all-time list. Remarkably, those goals have come in just 18 appearances at the tournament, and his brace in this match took him to six goals in the current edition.

Sweden spent much of the game under sustained pressure, struggling to cope with France’s quick passing and relentless attacking waves. By full time, they appeared physically drained after chasing the ball for long stretches in difficult conditions.

Temperatures reached around 32°C (90°F) in East Rutherford, but the heat felt even more punishing for Sweden as France continued to dictate the tempo and territory.

Mbappé nearly opened the scoring in the 16th minute with a long-range effort that was saved, before putting the ball in the net four minutes later. However, the goal was ruled out for offside, a warning sign of what was to come.

The match remained goalless until just before halftime, when France finally broke through. A well-timed pass from Ousmane Dembélé released Mbappé, who weaved past defenders before firing a right-footed shot past goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterström to give France a 1-0 lead.

France doubled their advantage in the 53rd minute through Bradley Barcola, who lifted a composed finish over the Swedish keeper after another precise attacking move.

Twenty minutes later, Mbappé struck again, this time finishing calmly from a deft through ball by Michael Olise to make it 3-0 and effectively seal the contest.

In the 84th minute, coach Didier Deschamps withdrew Mbappé to a standing ovation, with the French captain leaving the field after a commanding performance that underscored France’s title ambitions. -Reporting by Ossian Shine, Editing by Ed Osmond/Reuters