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Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé extended his red-hot scoring streak to fire France past Sweden and into the World Cup last 16 on Tuesday, while Erling Haaland sealed Norway’s historic first-ever knockout victory in a 2-1 defeat of Ivory Coast.
Mbappé took his tournament tally to six goals—tying him with Lionel Messi as top scorer—by netting a superb brace during France’s 3-0 victory at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
The striker’s latest double raises his career World Cup record to an incredible 18 goals in 18 matches, placing him just one goal behind Messi’s all-time tournament record.
Bradley Barcola scored France’s other goal as Les Bleus produced a dazzling exhibition of attacking soccer.
Although Sweden manager Graham Potter had warned that his team required a flawless performance to contain the French offensive line, France broke through the Scandinavian resistance on the stroke of halftime when Mbappé jinked into space and rifled home.
Barcola doubled the lead in the 53rd minute before Mbappé added his second in the 74th minute, booking France a last-16 duel against Paraguay in Philadelphia this Saturday.
Earlier on Tuesday, Manchester City striker Erling Haaland guided Norway to their first-ever World Cup knockout win by sinking Ivory Coast 2-1 at the AT&T Stadium in Texas.
Haaland swept in an 86th-minute winner to dash African hopes after Amad Diallo had equalised following Antonio Nusa’s opening goal for Norway.
The victory vindicated Norway coach Stale Solbakken, who had faced stinging criticism for benching Haaland during a group-stage loss last week, and set up a last-16 clash against Brazil this Sunday.
Later on Tuesday, Mexico will aim to reach the last 16 against Ecuador.
Ahead of the match, the Ecuador Football Federation lodged an official complaint with tournament organisers after Mexican fans besieged the team’s hotel in an attempt to disrupt the players’ sleep.
Local media footage showed fans arriving in a disruptive caravan of cars and motorcycles, which Ecuador condemned as behaviour far removed from the principles of fair play.
