Kylian Mbappe continued his sensational World Cup form with another brace as France eased into the Round of 16 with a commanding 3-0 victory over Sweden on Tuesday, while Erling Haaland inspired Norway to a historic 2-1 win over Ivory Coast.
At MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, Mbappe scored twice to take his tournament tally to six goals, drawing level with Lionel Messi at the top of the Golden Boot standings.
The French captain also moved to 18 World Cup goals in just 18 appearances, leaving him only one goal behind Messi’s all-time tournament record of 19.
Bradley Barcola added France’s second as Les Bleus produced another dominant display to underline their credentials as one of the favourites to lift the trophy.
Sweden frustrated France for much of the opening half after manager Graham Potter urged his side to produce the performance of their lives, but Mbappe finally broke the deadlock just before the interval with a brilliant solo effort.
Barcola doubled France’s advantage eight minutes after the restart before Mbappe wrapped up the victory with his second goal in the 74th minute.
France will now face Paraguay in the Round of 16 on Saturday in Philadelphia.
“I know who I am and what I need to do, but it’s not only about me,” Mbappe said after the match. “The whole team knows what our objective is here.”
Earlier in the day, Haaland once again proved the difference as Norway recorded their first-ever victory in the knockout stage of a World Cup.
Antonio Nusa gave Norway the lead before Amad Diallo equalised for Ivory Coast, but Haaland struck the winner in the 86th minute to secure a memorable 2-1 triumph in Arlington, Texas.
The Manchester City striker now has five goals at the tournament, trailing only joint leaders Mbappe and Messi by one.
Ivory Coast came agonisingly close to forcing extra time in stoppage time, but goalkeeper Orjan Nyland produced a superb save to deny Diallo’s curling free-kick.
The victory also vindicated Norway coach Stale Solbakken, who had come under heavy criticism for resting Haaland and several key players during the team’s 4-1 defeat to France in their final group-stage match.
“To score five goals in three World Cup matches for a country like Norway is incredible,” Solbakken said.
“I wouldn’t swap him for anyone because he’s the greatest goalscorer in world football today.”
Norway will now take on five-time champions Brazil in the Round of 16, with a place in the quarter-finals at stake.
Elsewhere, Mexico will look to book their own place in the last 16 when they host Ecuador later on Tuesday.
The build-up to the match was overshadowed by controversy after the Ecuador Football Federation lodged an official complaint, alleging Mexican supporters disrupted the team’s preparations by gathering outside their hotel late on Monday night in an apparent attempt to keep the players awake.
In a statement, the federation condemned the incident, saying such behaviour was “far removed from the principles of fair play, equity and unity” that the World Cup is meant to represent.
