France v Sweden - World Cup result as Kylian Mbappe's historic double and Bradley Barcola strike send Les Bleus storming into last 16

Kylian Mbappe’s historic double inspired France to a swaggering 3-0 win over Sweden that emphatically underlined their status as tournament favourites and set up a last-16 clash with surprise package Paraguay.

Mbappe was denied by the offside flag and the post before cutting inside from the left to net a superb strike on the brink of half-time to move clear of Miroslav Klose into second place in the all-time World Cup scoring charts with 17 goals, two behind leader Lionel Messi of Argentina.

Soaring temperatures in New Jersey were said to reach 36 degrees, but it was the sizzling display of the French attack that left the greatest impression as an inspired Michael Olise’s acrobatic scissor kick cannoned off the post before he slipped in Bradley Barcola to double the lead early in the second half.

The Bayern Munich star was at his creative best again for France’s third, putting a through ball on a plate for Mbappe to notch his tournament-best fifth assist.

The Real Madrid striker finished emphatically to complete his brace and move one goal behind Messi in the all-time charts but level with the Argentina great in the 2026 Golden Boot race with six goals apiece – albeit with the 39-year-old having played a game less.

France’s dazzling attacking display was a warning to their rivals for the trophy as they continued their bid for a third World Cup triumph with a fourth consecutive win at the tournament.

Should Les Bleus progress past Paraguay in the next round, they will meet either Morocco or Canada in the quarter-finals.

Portugal, Spain, Belgium and the United States are among the potential semi-final opponents for Didier Deschamps’ side, who were beaten on penalties by Argentina four years ago in one of the all-time great World Cup finals.

If the permutations are hurting your head, check out our explainer of the knockout situation here.

The good news is that although we have an extra round this year, the complicated part is over...

So what comes next for Les Bleus?

A last 16 tie with Paraguay beckons on Saturday, 4 July in Philadelphia.

Should they win that, it will be either Canada or Morocco in the quarter-finals.

Knock them off, and the final step to reaching yet another World Cup final would see France take on Portugal, Croatia, Spain, Austria, USA, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Belgium or Senegal.

A big night not just for Deschamps and France, but for their star man Mbappe, who moved alongside Messi at the top of the Golden Boot standings tonight with that dazzling double

The Palace man gets on the end of a cross after a fast French break, but can't direct an awkward high bouncing ball on target.

We are two minutes into the four that have been added.

They have had their moments tonight, and that was one of the better ones. Gyokeres finds shooting space in the box but his effort is well saved by Maignan, who gets down quickly to parry.

France's two star men of the night are both replaced, presumably with Deschamps content that this one is done and dusted.

On come Cherki and Mateta. Not bad replacements.

On come Svanberg and Nygren. They've got a hell of a task ahead of them!

With one dummy. Beautiful stuff from the winger, but he can't finish the job as his shot is saved.

The substitute is determined to make an impression and goes on a dangerous dribble before firing a shot straight at the keeper.

HERNANDEZ REPLACES DIGNE

A change at left-back for France.

That's two more than anyone else, with Odegaard of Norway and Sweden's Isak both on three below him.

The former Crystal Palace man is having an outstanding tournament.

Gusto and Doue are on for Kounde and Dembele.

Him again! France's mesmerising attack comes to life once more as Olise - under huge pressure from a defender - slips a perfect pass into the path of Mbappe, who curls it into the far corner.

It's another goal that just oozes class.

Zeneli and Ali are on for Bergvall and Stroud.

France go flying clear in the blink of an eye on the counter-attack, but Olise can't get a shot away after a heavy touch and Zetterstrom is able to stifle the danger.

Perfect opportunity to put this question past you once again...

Sweden's route to qualification was certainly one of the stranger ones. Remarkably, they got here despite not winning a single game in UEFA qualifying.

The Swedes finished bottom of their group with two draws and four defeats, behind Switzerland, Kosovo and Slovenia, but found their way to the World Cup via the play-offs thanks to their Nations League performance, beating Ukraine in the semi-finals and Poland in the final.

It looks like their luck might have run out here though.