France thrash Sweden 3-0 with a Mbappé brace and set up a last-16 tie with Paraguay

France produced a masterclass to thrash Sweden 3-0 and reach the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, the colossus of the New York area holding 80,663 spectators and one of the marquee venues of this 48-team World Cup staged by the United States, Mexico and Canada. Les Bleus, tipped as title contenders, dispelled any doubts with a devastating second half.

The game broke open just before half-time. In the 45th minute, Kylian Mbappé finished from an Ousmane Dembélé pass to put Didier Deschamps' side ahead, lined up in a 4-2-3-1 with Mike Maignan in goal. The goal at the end of the first half set France on their way.

After the restart, France made sure. In the 53rd minute, Bradley Barcola doubled the lead from a Michael Olise pass, and in the 74th Mbappé completed his brace, again assisted by Olise, to seal an emphatic 3-0. The forward, scorer of both goals, was named man of the match after a stellar display.

Sweden, coached by Graham Potter in a 4-4-2 with Jacob Widell Zetterström in goal, found no way to trouble a solid French defence and bowed out of the 2026 World Cup empty-handed despite their efforts.

With this rout, France set up a last-16 tie with Paraguay, the big surprise who knocked Germany out on penalties. Les Bleus, with Mbappé in scintillating form, send a warning to their rivals in a single-elimination phase in which they start as one of the heavy favourites.