Mbappé brace powers France past Sweden and pulls him level with Messi on six World Cup goals

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Kylian Mbappé gave France the lead with a sharp crossover step in the 45th minute and struck again after the interval to set a World Cup knockout-round scoring record, as Les Bleus defeated Sweden 3-0 on Tuesday to book a round-of-16 meeting with Paraguay.

Bradley Barcola made it 2-0 in the 53rd minute, and Mbappé finished the scoring in the 74th with his second of the night — his third two-goal outing in four matches. His six goals at this tournament drew him level with Argentina forward Lionel Messi at the top of the charts and lifted his career World Cup tally to 18, one behind Messi's mark.

"I'm very aware of who I am, how I play, what I shall do, but it's not just about me," Mbappé said through a translator. "The entire team is aware of what should be done. It is a new competition that has started today. We did play well, but we were timid. We could have done better at the beginning."

Mbappé's 10 knockout-stage goals are two more than the previous best held jointly by Brazilian legends Leonidas and Ronaldo. France coach Didier Deschamps bowed as his star walked to the bench after being substituted in the 85th minute.

"We're on a mission. — so am I with them," Deschamps said through a translator.

France, runners-up at the last World Cup four years ago and among the favourites this time, have now outscored opponents 13-2, with Michael Olise providing assists on five goals.

"They are skilled at knowing when to change the pace and increase it, when to possess the ball, when to fall back," Sweden captain Victor Lindelöf said through a translator.

Chasing a third consecutive World Cup final appearance, France will meet Paraguay on July 4 in Philadelphia. The victor moves on to a quarter-final against either Canada or Morocco five days later in Foxborough, Massachusetts.