New Delhi: France thumped Sweden 3-0 in the Round of 32 clash at the MetLife Stadium in the 2026 FIFA World Cup early Wednesday. The French captain Kylian Mbappe scored a brace, becoming the highest scorer in the knockout stages of the tournament with 10 goals.
Just before the half-time whistle, Mbappe made a cutting run in the penalty box before a stepover-feint, which wrong-footed the defender. He then rifled it into the far post with his right foot, opening the scoresheet for France. Just after the goal, the 27-year-old star striker went to his coach Didier Deschamps to celebrate the moment. It reflected the strong relationship between the captain and the coach who has overseen Mbappé’s entire international career.
The second goal came in the 74th minute when a cutting through from winger Michael Olise landed at Mbappe’s feet, who finessed it in the far post with another clinical finish. Both the goals had a typical Mbappe style—speed, precision and judgement.
“Sweet, just so so sweet,” said legendary commentator Peter Drury after the goal.
Kylian Mbappe magic
With the brace against Sweden, Mbappe has now scored in 10 knockout games in the FIFA World Cup, including a hattrick in the final in the 2022 edition. With this, the French forward has already scored 18 goals in the world’s biggest football tournament, just one behind all-time top scorer Lionel Messi.
“It has been a joy,” said Drury after the match ended.
Since bursting onto the scene as a teenager at the 2018 World Cup, the France captain has always delivered in the knockout rounds. At just 27, he has etched his name in the history books, having already lifted the coveted trophy as a teenager.
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One for the history books
With nine knockout-stage goals, Mbappé moved ahead of Leônidas and Ronaldo (both 8). While Leônidas reached his total of eight goals in just five knockout games, Ronaldo achieved this feat in 10 knockout matches.
Meanwhile, Mbappe announced himself in the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, scoring four goals, including a memorable brace against Argentina in the Round of 16 as France lifted their second World Cup title. Four years later in Qatar, he elevated his game further, claiming the Golden Boot with eight goals and becoming only the second player after Geoff Hurst to score a hat-trick in a World Cup final, even though France eventually lost to Argentina on penalties.
Now, in 2026, Mbappe has taken on the added responsibility of captaining France while continuing his remarkable scoring streak, evolving from a teenage prodigy into the focal point of Les Bleus’ pursuit of another world title.