New York, US, July 1: France created FIFA World Cup history by becoming the first team to score three or more goals in five consecutive matches after defeating Sweden 3-0 in the Round of 32 of the 2026 tournament.
FIFA confirmed the milestone in a post on X following France’s victory at the New York New Jersey Stadium (MetLife Stadium).
Captain Kylian Mbappe scored twice, in the 45th and 74th minutes, to help France secure a place in the Round of 16, where they will face Paraguay on July 4.
France coach Didier Deschamps returned to the sidelines after missing the team’s final group-stage match following the funeral of his mother.
With his two goals against Sweden, Mbappe took his tally to 10 goals in FIFA World Cup knockout matches, surpassing Brazil’s Ronaldo and Leonidas, who had scored eight each, to become the competition’s leading knockout-stage scorer.
The brace also took Mbappe’s tally to six goals in the ongoing tournament, drawing level with Argentina’s Lionel Messi in the Golden Boot race.
Mbappe has now scored 18 goals in 18 FIFA World Cup appearances, leaving him one goal behind Messi’s all-time World Cup record of 19 goals, achieved in 29 matches.
Sweden’s campaign ended with the defeat, while France progressed to the Round of 16 with a place in the quarter-finals at stake against Paraguay.