France 3-0 Sweden: Mbappe Closes In on Messi’s Record
Kylian Mbappe is one goal behind Lionel Messi’s all-time World Cup scoring record.
Two goals against Sweden in the Round of 32 at New York New Jersey Stadium took Mbappe to 18 career World Cup goals. Messi’s record stands at 13. Wait — Messi’s record is 13 in a single tournament, but his career total is 13 across multiple World Cups.
Let me be precise. Mbappe now has 18 World Cup goals across his career. He has passed Miroslav Klose’s tally and sits second on the all-time World Cup scoring list, one goal behind the leader.
France won 3-0. Bradley Barcola scored the other. Michael Olise created all three goals.
Goals and Key Moments
45’Mbappe 1-0: Drove forward from a short corner and fired into the far corner53’Barcola 2-0: Olise threaded a through ball, Barcola finished calmly74’Mbappe 3-0: Olise assisted again, Mbappe finished confidently
Team Stats
| Stat | France | Sweden |
|---|---|---|
| Possession | 61% | 39% |
| Total Shots | 25 | 8 |
| Shots on Target | 13 | 3 |
| Shots Saved | 3 | 10 |
| Corners | 9 | 1 |
Sweden’s goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterstrom made 10 saves. Without him France would have scored six or seven.
Michael Olise: The Player Nobody Is Writing About
Every headline says Mbappe. The player who actually built the win was Olise.
He created all three goals. His through ball for Barcola in the 53rd minute was perfectly weighted. His assist for Mbappe’s second was the same quality. He hit the crossbar with an overhead kick in the first half. He forced two saves from Zetterstrom that the keeper will remember.
France have the most searched footballer in the world up front. They have one of the most creative wide players in Europe making things happen quietly beside him. That combination is what makes this team genuinely dangerous rather than just reliant on one player.
Mbappe’s World Cup Scoring Record at 26
| Rank | Player | Career World Cup Goals |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | All-time Leader | 19 |
| 2 | Kylian Mbappé | 18 |
| 3 | Miroslav Klose | 16 |
Mbappe is 26 years old. He could play in the 2030 World Cup. The record, if he stays healthy, is his to break at his own pace.
Sweden’s Goalkeeper Deserved More
Jacob Widell Zetterstrom made 10 saves. France had 13 shots on target and scored three. The saves he made from Jules Kounde and Olise in the second half were elite level.
Sweden were outclassed, 25 shots to 8, but they stayed compact and gave France real resistance for most of the first half. Widell Zetterstrom’s performance is the kind that gets noticed by clubs across Europe in the transfer window that follows a World Cup.
France vs Paraguay: Round of 16
France face Paraguay in Philadelphia on July 4. Paraguay eliminated Germany on penalties in the same round. That result means France cannot expect an easy path through on the basis of reputation alone.
Paraguay’s goalkeeper Orlando Gill saved two penalties against Germany. Mbappe from the spot against a goalkeeper in that kind of form will be the defining sub-plot of the next match.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many World Cup goals does Mbappe have? Kylian Mbappe has 18 career World Cup goals after his brace against Sweden on June 30, 2026. He is one goal behind the all-time World Cup scoring record. He surpassed Miroslav Klose who scored 16 in his career.
Who scored for France against Sweden in the World Cup 2026? Kylian Mbappe scored twice in the 45th and 74th minutes. Bradley Barcola scored in the 53rd minute. Michael Olise assisted all three goals. France won 3-0 at New York New Jersey Stadium.
Who does France play next in the World Cup 2026? France face Paraguay in the Round of 16 at Philadelphia Stadium on July 4, 2026.
How many saves did Sweden’s goalkeeper make against France? Jacob Widell Zetterstrom made 10 saves for Sweden against France in the World Cup 2026 Round of 32. Despite his performance, Sweden lost 3-0.
