local
Mbappé scores twice to tie Messi for World Cup lead with 6 goals, France beats Sweden 3-0
By Ronald Blum, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC)
· June 30, 2026
· 4 min read
Kylian Mbappé put France ahead with a brilliant crossover step in the 45th minute and then added a second-half goal to break a World Cupknockout round scoring record, and Les Bleus beat Sweden 3-0 Tuesday to set up a round of 16 match against Paraguay.Bradley Barcola added a 53rd-minute goal for ...
Key takeaway His six goals tied Argentina forward Lionel Messi for the tournament lead and gave him 18 in his World Cup career, one shy of Messi's record.
Why this matters in The Pearland
For Pearland residents, the World Cup matchup between France and Sweden may seem like a distant event, but the tournament's reach can be felt locally. With the Houston area being a melting pot of diverse cultures, many residents in Pearland likely have ties to countries participating in the World Cup, including France. As France advances to the round of 16, locals with French heritage or interests may be gathering to watch the matches, boosting business for local restaurants and bars showing the games. Additionally, the tournament's presence in the US, with France's next match against Paraguay scheduled for Philadelphia, may inspire local youth soccer players in Pearland, who can look up to stars like Kylian Mbappé as role models. As the World Cup continues, Pearland's community may come together to celebrate the beautiful game and cheer on their favorite teams.
About this story
Original reporting by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . The Pearland surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 30, 2026 ·
Source: KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) ·
Reading time: 4 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Kylian Mbappé put France ahead with a brilliant crossover step in the 45th minute and then added a second-half goal to break a World Cupknockout round scoring record, and Les Bleus beat Sweden 3-0 Tuesday to set up a round of 16 match against Paraguay.Bradley Barcola added a 53rd-minute goal for ...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 30, 2026 by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) and curated for The Pearland readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Ronald Blum, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC). To learn more about how The Pearland selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Pearland, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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