The France national football team has returned to its base camp in Boston after a commanding 3-0 victory over Sweden in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match on Tuesday (local time). The win secured France's place in the Round of 16, where they will face Paraguay on July 4.
France's Victory Over Sweden
Playing at the New York New Jersey Stadium (MetLife Stadium), France dominated the match with a clinical performance. Captain Kylian Mbappe scored a brace, netting in the 45th and 74th minutes, to steer Les Bleus to an emphatic win. The victory sent Sweden out of the tournament after a spirited run.
Didier Deschamps returned to the touchline for this match after missing the final group game due to personal bereavement following his mother's funeral. Under his guidance, France systematically dismantled Sweden's defence.
Mbappe's Record-Breaking Performance
Mbappe's two goals were historic. Entering the match tied with Brazilian Ronaldo and pre-war forward Leonidas at eight career knockout stage goals, his strikes pushed his total to ten, the most by any player in World Cup history. According to official tournament statistics, Mbappe now holds the record for most knockout stage goals, surpassing Ronaldo and Leonidas who each had eight.
Mbappe's sixth goal of the tournament drew him level with Argentina's Lionel Messi in the race for the Golden Boot. His overall World Cup tally now stands at 18 goals in just 18 appearances, leaving him one shy of Messi's all-time record of 19 goals, which Messi achieved across 29 World Cup matches.
Team's Return to Boston
After the match, the French team took to social media platform X to announce their return. In a post, they wrote, "We're heading back to Boston!" accompanied by a video. Another post stated, "Back at the Boston base camp after qualifying for the round of 16!" The team expressed relief and satisfaction at advancing in the tournament.
Upcoming Round of 16 Clash
France will now prepare to face Paraguay in the Round of 16 on July 4. The team's return to Boston allows them to rest and strategize before the crucial match. With Mbappe in exceptional form, France is considered a strong contender to progress further in the tournament.
