Kylian Mbappe is hot on Lionel Messi’s heels as France sensation scores twice in 3-0 win over Sweden to move one behind Argentina great in World Cup goal charts

Lionel Messi may have had his record-breaking moment at the World Cup, but at this rate, Kylian Mbappe will make that legendary achievement short-lived.

If Messi is the current king, France’s Fantastic will be the focal point of a fearsome attack, the immediate successor to the Argentinian great, with his double in Tuesday night’s dominant 3-0 win over Sweden to overtake Miroslav Klose in the all-time goalscoring charts.

Didier Deschamps was all smiles as he returned to the touchline following the tragic death of his mother last week as his side headed into the last 16, with Mbappe embracing him in a heartwarming moment after his stunning debut.

Bradley Barcola replaced Desire Doue on Deschamps’ left wing and repaid his painful coach with his second goal of the day. Michael Olise recorded two assists and increased his tally to five, the most of the tournament. As Sweden continued to fall behind after a spirited start, Mbappe came within one goal of Messi to seal a routine win for his powerful country.

No team in history has scored three or more goals in five consecutive World Cup matches, but France did it in New Jersey. At this stage, it seems unthinkable that Messi and Argentina will not return here on July 19 for the final, where they will await a rematch of the epic final in 2022.

Mbappe, who continues to follow the great Leo in the goal rankings, will lick his lips at the possibility of taking that famous cup back from them.

Swedes are fading fast

It took about 20 minutes for the scorching heat at France’s MetLife Stadium to warm up. Graham Potter said his team had to play the match of their lives here and that they were the ones who started the game like men, pressing with speed and intensity in the middle of the park, while the physicality of Arsenal’s Viktor Gyokeres caused some difficulties for his club teammate William Saliba and centre-back partner Dayot Upamecano at the other end.

But they soon retreated into their shell and France’s front line, undoubtedly the most fearsome team in this summer’s tournament, began to find holes in the final third.

Mbappe had the opening kick denied by the tightest of offside calls as he ran unmarked and shot past Jacob Widell Zetterstrom shortly before the first-half hydration break. Adrien Rabiot was denied by the Swedish goalkeeper’s boot shortly afterwards.

Then, within four astonishing minutes, both Mbappe and Olise struck the target; Olise almost scored one of the goals of the World Cup so far with a remarkable bicycle kick that was left wide of the post.

Les Bleus were knocking on the door and Potter’s men, who had once had a flat eight-man backline, were unable to do much other than sit deep and defend their own box. The inevitable France opener was quickly becoming a matter of when rather than if, and he was the main man to score in the 45th minute.

Along with Ousmane Dembele and Michael Olise, Mbappe is part of the most devastating attack of this tournament

Sweden were supposed to have the game of their lives but after a lively start they faded quickly

Released in the penalty area by Dembele, Mbappe found himself face to face with an attacker in Gyokeres. He had very quick feet for Sweden’s stocky centre-forward; He took a surprising step forward and two delicate touches released him and sent the ball goalwards from the edge of the six-yard box.

And when Barcola added a two-goal cushion shortly after the break, their miserable fate was all but sealed.

An attack like no other

While Messi leads Argentina to a second consecutive World Cup, Mbappe is the brightest jewel in an elegant French diamond.

Watching Olise enjoy himself as much as Les Bleus’ talisman puts Deschamps’ future riches to shame.

The silky Bayern Munich star made two excellent passes for Barcola to double their advantage and Mbappe then missed them. His neat interaction with Ousmane Dembele, who is also impossible to forget, came before his PSG team-mate took the opening kick.

Olise was as enjoyable as watching Mbappe in France’s comfortable victory in New Jersey.

Deschamps had the luxury of starting Doue and Rayan Cherki, who will make several squad appearances in the US, Canada and Mexico this summer, on the bench here.

Messi’s magic may be enough to send Argentina to the final, but can their defense really live up to the masterful French front line that has been getting better and better in this tournament?

History is not at the forefront of Mbappe’s mind

The Real Madrid Galactico, who has often been criticized for his behavioral problems, became the World Cup’s second-highest scorer with his opening strike, but his first thought was to turn to Deschamps, who missed last week’s win over Norway due to a tragedy in his private life.

His skipper’s stunning finish will help lift his spirits after a devastating week. Seven minutes before the restart France gave their managers something to smile about once again as Barcola doubled their lead.

Sweden are playing like a team sneaking into the World Cup through the back door of the Nations League, giving the ball away cheaply near the halfway line and Aurelien Tchouameni takes the ball before finding Olise, who delivers a superb pass to put Paris St-Germain ahead inside the area. He didn’t make the mistake of leaving Sweden at close range with a mountain to climb.

Didier Deschamps had a smile on his face again following the tragic death of his mother last week.

Then, with the outcome already in the cards, Mbappe received another outstanding Olise pass into the box with 15 minutes remaining and slotted the ball into the goal, sealing victory for his 18th World Cup goal in as many matches.

When he and Olise, who was equally stunning last night, were replaced in the final five minutes, MetLife’s French team stood up in awe and admiration. The pair were outstanding and it is hard to see them not taking France to the final with Paraguay and possibly Morocco, along with Dembele and substitutes Barcola and Doue.

Even potential semi-final opponents Spain and Portugal will be trembling.

Messi further etched his name into the history books by becoming the all-time top scorer at the World Cup last week. Although this record may not be maintained until the next tournament, the current tournament looks set to culminate in a battle between the king and his heir in New Jersey later this month.