Kylian Mbappe scored two goals as France beat Sweden 3-0 in the World Cup round of 32, taking his tournament tally to seven and drawing level with Lionel Messi in the race for the Golden Boot. France have now scored three goals in five successive World Cup matches — a first for any team in the tournament's history — and look like the team to beat. So what makes Mbappe and this French side so formidable, and why should UK fans pay attention?
The basics are simple: Kylian Mbappe is France's captain and star forward, and he is in blistering form. Against Sweden, he scored a first-half opening goal and a second-half third goal, both set up by teammate Michael Olise. Bradley Barcola scored the other goal. France's manager is Didier Deschamps, who returned to the touchline after travelling back to France last week following the death of his mother. France will now face Paraguay in Philadelphia in the last 32.
“France's World Cup dominance and Kylian Mbappe's form explained.”
The background to this performance lies in France's recent World Cup history. They won the tournament in 2018 and were runners-up in 2022. Deschamps, a World Cup-winning captain in 1998 and manager in 2018, has built a side that combines defensive solidity with devastating attacking talent. Mbappe, now 27, has been the focal point of that attack for years. Sweden, managed by Graham Potter, reached the knockout stage after a chaotic qualifying campaign: they failed to win any of their six qualifiers but earned a play-off spot via the Nations League, beat Ukraine and Poland, then progressed from their group as one of the best third-placed teams, with a 5-1 win over Tunisia, a 5-1 loss to the Netherlands, and a 1-1 draw with Japan.
Why does this matter for UK readers? The World Cup is a global event, and France's performance sets the standard. With UK-based players like Michael Olise and Bradley Barcola (linked with Arsenal and Liverpool) featuring prominently, their displays could influence transfer windows and Premier League dynamics. Moreover, France's strength means they are likely to go deep into the tournament, providing high-quality matches for UK fans to watch.
Q: How many goals has Kylian Mbappe scored in the 2026 World Cup? Mbappe has scored seven goals in the tournament so far, putting him level with Lionel Messi at the top of the Golden Boot race.
Q: Who does France play next in the World Cup? France will face Paraguay in the round of 32 on Saturday in Philadelphia. Paraguay beat Germany on penalties to reach this stage.
Q: How did Sweden qualify for the World Cup knockout stage? Sweden finished as one of the eight best third-placed teams after draws and a win in their group, following a play-off route that included beating Ukraine and Poland.
What happens next: France must avoid complacency against Paraguay. Deschamps will be wary of reputations counting for nothing, as the tournament has already seen Germany and the Netherlands eliminated on penalties. France are the first team to score three goals in five successive World Cup matches, but they will need to maintain that level to lift the trophy. The Golden Boot race between Mbappe and Messi also continues, with both players tied on seven goals.