Mbappé Brace, Haaland Winner Lift France and Norway Through

Two of world football’s biggest stars delivered when it mattered most on Tuesday as Kylian Mbappé scored a brace for France and Erling Haaland netted a dramatic late winner for Norway, sending both nations through to the Round of 16 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. France cruised past Sweden 3-0 at New York New Jersey Stadium, while Norway edged Ivory Coast 2-1 at Dallas Stadium in a pair of captivating Round of 32 encounters, as reported by Xinhua News.

Norway’s Historic Breakthrough

Norway secured their first-ever World Cup knockout-stage victory in dramatic fashion. Antonio Nusa opened the scoring in the 39th minute with a stunning curling effort from outside the box after a setup from captain Martin Ødegaard. Ivory Coast struck back in the 74th minute when Amad Diallo equalized after a rapid one-two with Nicolas Pepe, according to Al Jazeera.

With the match poised at 1-1, Haaland produced the decisive moment in the 86th minute. Substitute Oscar Bobb threaded a pinpoint pass to Patrick Berg, who squared the ball for Norway’s No. 9 to side-foot past goalkeeper Yahia Fofana from close range. As FIFA.com noted, “The sheepish celebration said it all, but none of the rowing Norwegian fans were bothered how it was scored as their nation won a knockout match for the first time.”

The victory is particularly significant for Norway, who qualified for the World Cup for the first time since 1998 after a 28-year absence. Haaland’s goal was his 60th in 53 international appearances and his fifth of the tournament, keeping him in close pursuit of the Golden Boot leaders.

France Dominate Sweden

France delivered a commanding performance against Sweden, with Mbappé scoring twice to lead Les Bleus into the last 16. The France captain opened the scoring on the stroke of halftime, cutting in from the left and driving a fierce shot inside the far post after a pass from Ousmane Dembélé. Bradley Barcola doubled the lead in the 53rd minute, firing into the top corner after a threaded pass from Michael Olise, who now leads the tournament with five assists.

Mbappé sealed the win in the 74th minute, racing onto another incisive Olise pass to beat the offside trap and curl a first-time effort beyond the goalkeeper. As Al Jazeera reported, “Mbappe now tops the list of most goals, 10, in the World Cup’s knockout stage, eclipsing Brazilian duo Leonidas and Ronaldo, with eight each.”

Records and the Golden Boot Race

Mbappé’s brace moved him to 18 career World Cup goals in 18 appearances — just one shy of Lionel Messi’s all-time record of 19. With six goals in this tournament, Mbappé is tied with Messi for the Golden Boot lead, while Haaland sits third with five goals, according to Yahoo Sports.

Didier Deschamps also made history, extending his record for most World Cup wins as a manager to 18, eclipsing Helmut Schön’s previous mark of 17.

What’s Next

France will face Paraguay in the Round of 16 on July 4 in Philadelphia, after Paraguay stunned Germany on penalties. Norway faces a monumental challenge against Brazil on July 5 at New York New Jersey Stadium, with the five-time world champions standing between Norway and a place in the quarterfinals.

With Mbappé and Messi trading records throughout the tournament and Haaland close behind, the Golden Boot race remains one of the most compelling storylines of the 2026 World Cup — and one that could be decided in the knockout rounds ahead.