The night of June 30 to July 1 delivered two spectacular Round of 64 matches at the 2026 World Cup, as shown in the 2026 World Cup match schedule (Kyiv time). Kylian Mbappé set an all-time record for goals scored in World Cup knockout matches, while Mexico preserved their flawless record at the iconic Azteca. Both sides are marching confidently into the Round of 32.
Night results
France — Sweden 3:0 (00:00 Kyiv time, MetLife Stadium, New Jersey)
France produced one of the most convincing performances of the tournament. Mbappé opened the scoring in the dying seconds of the first half, converting a corner-kick delivery after a combination with Dembélé. On the 53rd minute, Olise threaded a perfectly weighted pass through Lagerbljelke's legs to release Barcola, who doubled the lead with a powerful strike. In the 74th minute, Mbappé finished off an attack following another assist from Olise to seal the final score. Swedish goalkeeper Jakob Zetterstrom made nine saves to spare his side an even heavier defeat.
Man of the match — Kylian Mbappé (2 goals). Michaël Olise registered two assists, bringing his tournament total to five goal contributions — the most by any single player at a single World Cup since 1994. Mbappé now has 10 goals in World Cup knockout matches — an all-time tournament record — and 18 goals overall, placing him just one behind Lionel Messi on the all-time World Cup top scorers list. France advance to the Round of 32, where they will face Paraguay in Philadelphia on July 4.
Mexico — Ecuador 2:0 (04:00 Kyiv time, Estadio Azteca, Mexico City)
The match kicked off with a delay due to a thunderstorm over Mexico City, but the hosts immediately seized the initiative. Julián Quiñones opened the scoring in the 22nd minute, converting a long ball from the flank. In the 31st minute, Raúl Jiménez intercepted the ball in the opposition half, combined with Quiñones and finished with a precise shot into the top corner. In the second half Ecuador had more of the ball (57% possession) but failed to create any real chances — managing just one shot on target throughout the entire match. In stoppage time, Ecuador defender Piero Hincapié received a straight red card for covering his mouth with his hand during an argument with Santiago Jiménez — a violation of FIFA's new rules.
Heroes of the match — Julián Quiñones (goal, his third of the tournament) and Raúl Jiménez (goal). Mexico preserved their perfect record at the Azteca in World Cup matches and advance to the Round of 32, where they will host the winner of the England — DR Congo tie on Sunday.
Tournament standings
Both matches were Round of 64 (knockout stage) fixtures rather than group-stage games, so they do not affect any group tables. With their victories, France and Mexico join the confirmed list of Round of 32 participants at the 2026 World Cup. The overall picture of the Round of 64: of eight matches played, eight winners have been determined — Canada, Brazil, Morocco, Paraguay, Norway, France and Mexico are all through to the next round. Today, July 1, three more Round of 64 matches will take place, after which the full line-up of Round of 32 participants will be known. Read more about the 2026 World Cup match schedule (Kyiv time) in a dedicated article.
Off the pitch
- Mbappé's record: Kylian Mbappé became the first player in history to score 10 goals in World Cup knockout matches, surpassing Brazilians Leônidas and Ronaldo (8 each). His six goals at the 2026 World Cup have drawn him level with Lionel Messi in the race for the tournament's Golden Boot.
- Deschamps returns: France head coach Didier Deschamps returned to the dugout after missing the final group-stage match — he had flown to Europe to attend his mother's funeral. Mbappé said after the game: "He knows he will never be alone — we will support him."
- New FIFA rules — first red card for a gesture: Hincapié's red card in the Mexico — Ecuador match was one of the first high-profile applications of FIFA's new rule, under which covering one's mouth with a hand during an argument with an opponent is punishable by a straight dismissal.
- 5 million fans in the stands: FIFA announced that during the second half of the France — Sweden match, total attendance at the 2026 World Cup surpassed the 5 million mark — a new tournament record. The previous record was held by USA 1994 (3,587,538 spectators over the entire tournament).
Today, July 1, three more Round of 64 matches will take place as part of the 2026 World Cup schedule (Kyiv time): England — DR Congo (19:00 Kyiv time), Belgium — Senegal (23:00 Kyiv time) and USA — Bosnia and Herzegovina (03:00 on July 2, Kyiv time).
See also: All 48 teams at the 2026 World Cup: every participant
Photo: Laura Hunter · Editorial (source)
