France punched their ticket to the World Cup round of 16 with a commanding 3-0 victory over Sweden on Tuesday, setting up a date with Paraguay in the next round. The win came amid an emotional backdrop, as Kylian Mbappe said the team had rallied behind coach Didier Deschamps after the recent death of his mother. The result keeps Les Bleus on track for a deep run in the 2026 tournament.
Mbappe was the star once again, netting two more goals to bring his tournament tally to six. He now has 18 World Cup goals overall, surpassing the record of the previous French great. His performance was the driving force behind a dominant display that left Sweden with no answers.
With the group stage now complete, the round of 32 bracket is set. France will enter the knockout phase as one of the stronger teams, while Sweden's elimination opens up the group's pathway. The victory also bolsters France's position in the FIFA rankings and sets up a potentially tricky matchup against Paraguay.
France will meet Paraguay in the round of 16, with a quarterfinal spot on the line. Sweden, meanwhile, exits the tournament after a disappointing campaign. The match date and venue have yet to be announced, but France will be the favorites to advance.
"We are united and we will keep fighting," Mbappe said after the match, according to Yahoo Sports.