Mbappe fires France into last 16 as Haaland makes Norway history

Kylian Mbappe continued his prolific World Cup form with two goals as France eased past Sweden 3-0 on Tuesday to reach the last 16, while Erling Haaland struck late to give Norway a historic knockout win over Ivory Coast.

Mbappe took his tournament tally to six goals with a brace at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, moving level with Lionel Messi as the competition‍‍`s leading scorer.

The France captain now has 18 career World Cup goals in 18 matches, leaving him just one behind Messi‍‍`s all-time record of 19.

France were made to wait for the breakthrough against Sweden, but Mbappe finally opened the scoring just before halftime with a sharp finish after creating space inside the area.

Bradley Barcola doubled the lead in the 53rd minute before Mbappe sealed the victory with his second goal in the 74th minute.

The result sent Les Bleus into a last-16 meeting with Paraguay in Philadelphia on Saturday and reinforced their status as one of the strongest contenders for the title.

Earlier in Arlington, Texas, Haaland scored an 86th-minute winner as Norway defeated Ivory Coast 2-1 to claim their first ever victory in a World Cup knockout match.

Antonio Nusa had put Norway ahead before Amad Diallo equalised for Ivory Coast, but Haaland settled the contest late on with his fifth goal of the tournament.

Ivory Coast nearly forced extra time in stoppage time, but Norway goalkeeper Orjan Nyland produced a crucial save to deny Diallo from a curling free-kick.

Norway will now face Brazil in the last 16 on Sunday.

Norway coach Stale Solbakken praised Haaland after the match, calling him the greatest goalscorer in world football and saying he would not swap him for any player.

Meanwhile, Mexico were preparing to face Ecuador later Tuesday, with a place in the last 16 at stake.

Ahead of the match, Ecuador‍‍`s football federation filed a complaint after Mexican fans allegedly gathered outside the team‍‍`s hotel in Mexico City late Monday in an apparent attempt to disturb the players‍‍` rest.