Kylian Mbappe continued his ruthless scoring form on Tuesday as France swept past Sweden 3-0 to reach the last 16 of the World Cup.
Norway and Mexico also booked their places in the next round after beating Ivory Coast and Ecuador respectively in their opening knockout fixtures.
Mbappe scored twice at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey to take his tally at the tournament to six goals.
The France captain is now level with Lionel Messi in the race for the Golden Boot, while his career World Cup record has risen to 18 goals in 18 matches.
Bradley Barcola also got on the scoresheet as France produced another dominant attacking display to underline their status as one of the favourites for the title.
Sweden frustrated Les Bleus for much of the first half, but Mbappe broke the resistance just before halftime, creating space before firing France ahead.
Barcola doubled the lead in the 53rd minute before Mbappe struck again in the 74th minute to seal the win.
France will now face Paraguay in Philadelphia on Saturday for a place in the quarter-finals.
Mbappe said after the match that France remained fully aware of the task ahead.
“I know who I am and what I’ve got to do,” he told beIN Sports, adding that the whole team understood the demands of the tournament.
Haaland sends Norway through
Earlier, Erling Haaland scored a late winner as Norway defeated Ivory Coast 2-1 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
It was Norway’s first ever World Cup knockout victory.
Antonio Nusa had put Norway ahead before Amad Diallo equalised for Ivory Coast.
But Haaland settled the contest in the 86th minute, firing home to send Norway into the last 16.
The Manchester City striker now has five goals at the tournament, just one behind joint top scorers Mbappe and Messi.
Ivory Coast almost forced extra time in stoppage time, but Diallo’s curling free-kick was brilliantly saved by Norway goalkeeper Orjan Nyland.
Norway will now face Brazil on Sunday.
Norway coach Stale Solbakken hailed Haaland as the best finisher in world football after the match.
“To score five goals in the World Cup in three games, for a little country like Norway… I wouldn’t swap him for anyone,” Solbakken said.
Mexico break knockout jinx
In Mexico City, co-hosts Mexico ended their long wait for a World Cup knockout win with a 2-0 victory over Ecuador at the Estadio Azteca.
The match was delayed by heavy rain and lightning, but Mexico started strongly once play began.
Julian Quinones opened the scoring in the 22nd minute with a powerful finish before Raul Jimenez doubled the lead nine minutes later.
Ecuador struggled to recover from the early setback and rarely looked capable of forcing their way back into the match.
The victory preserved Mexico’s proud unbeaten World Cup record at the Azteca and sent the co-hosts into the last 16.
Mexico will return to the same stadium on Sunday to face either England or DR Congo.
Coach Javier Aguirre praised the unity in his squad, describing the team as a family.
Off the pitch, Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman announced his resignation following his side’s penalty shoot-out defeat to Morocco.
Koeman said responsibility for the team’s failure rested with him.
AFP
