Kylian Mbappé's hot form fires France into the round of 16

France took on Sweden in the round of 32, as both sides looked to book their spot in the round of 16 against Paraguay. France went into the tournament as favourites to lift the World Cup and go one step further than they did in Qatar.

France has proven to be one of the best footballing nations over the last decade, reaching three major finals since 2016. In 2018, they lifted the World Cup title in Russia, after defeating Croatia 4-2 in the final. Four years later, the country suffered heartbreak in the final against Argentina, as Lionel Messi's team were crowned world champions for the third time in history.

But, Les Bleus entered the competition as the side expected to lift the trophy, but it was not going to be easy...

The side flew into the round of 32 having won all of their group stage games, with Mbappé scoring four in those three matches.

In the round of 32, he stamped his authority on the game by scoring an outstanding strike inside the box on the brink of half-time. His sharp feet found him space at close range to dispatch a powerful strike past a helpless Jacob Widell Zetterstrom in the Sweden goal.

France took the lead right before half-time, and it was the perfect time to do so. 1-0 became 2-0 less than 10 minutes into the second half, as Bradley Barcola doubled his nation's lead, putting them in an extremely strong position to qualify for the next round. Barcola had his second goal of the tournament, and it was his nation's second of the game.

Just before the game entered its final 15 minutes, Mbappé netted his second of the game and sealed the win for France, who had their third of the match. Kylian Mbappé had his sixth goal of the tournament in just his fourth appearance.

The 27-year-old's brace puts him level with Lionel Messi in the golden boot race at this year's competition, but Argentina's number 10 has played one game less.

The 3-0 win sends France through to the round of 16, where they will play against Paraguay, who defeated Germany on penalties. The performance from Les Bleus will send a message to the remaining nations in the competition, who have clearly seen how strong the French are both going forward and defensively.