France 3-0 Sweden
Kylian Mbappe moved to within one goal of Lionel Messi’s all-time World Cup scoring record as France swept Sweden aside 3-0 in New Jersey to set up a Round of 16 showdown against Paraguay.
Mbappe opened the scoring with a superb individual effort in the 45th minute before Bradley Barcola doubled the lead early in the second half, with Mbappe completing the rout in the 74th minute.
His two goals took his tournament tally to six, level with Messi in the Golden Boot race, and his overall World Cup total to 18, one behind Messi’s record of 19.
He also became the all-time leader in World Cup knockout goals with 10, surpassing Brazilian greats Ronaldo and Leonidas. Michael Olise added five assists for the tournament, one behind Pele’s record of six in a single edition.
Norway 2-1 Ivory Coast
Erling Haaland struck in the 86th minute to send Norway into the World Cup Round of 16 for the first time, edging a tense contest with Ivory Coast 2-1 in Arlington.
Antonio Nusa had given Norway the lead before Amad Diallo equalised, setting up a dramatic finish that Haaland resolved with characteristic authority. Norway face Brazil next, with Haaland carrying five tournament goals into the tie.
Mexico 2-0 Ecuador
Mexico broke their 40-year World Cup knockout curse at the Azteca, beating Ecuador 2-0 thanks to goals from Julian Quinones and Raul Jimenez.
The hosts were irresistible from the start, with 17-year-old Gilberto Mora becoming the second youngest player to start a World Cup knockout match, behind only Pele in 1958. Mexico face England or DR Congo next in the Round of 16.
– AFP
Photo: Jean Catuffe/Getty Images
