Kylian Mbappe moved to within one goal of equalling France’s all-time scoring record with the opener in a 2-1 win over Brazil as two of the leading World Cup contenders faced off in a glamour friendly in the United States on Thursday.
Mbappe ran through to beat goalkeeper Ederson with a delightful chipped finish to give France the lead just after the half-hour mark at the Gillette Stadium near Boston, home of NFL side the New England Patriots.
France, World Cup winners in 2018 and runners-up in 2022, had defender Dayot Upamecano sent off early in the second half but shrugged that off to double their lead courtesy of Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitike on 65 minutes.
Gyokeres hat-trick sends Sweden past Ukraine in World Cup play-offs
Viktor Gyokeres scored a hat-trick as Sweden brushed Ukraine aside 3-1 on Thursday to set up a showdown with Poland for a spot at the 2026 World Cup.
Arsenal striker Gyokeres stabbed in from close range in the sixth minute in Valencia and then doubled Sweden’s lead with a well-taken goal early in the second half.He won and converted a penalty to complete his treble and seal victory for Graham Potter’s team on 73 minutes, with Matvii Ponomarenko heading in a late consolation for Ukraine.
Italy beat Northern Ireland to keep World Cup hopes alive
Italy’s bid to end a 12-year World Cup absence will continue after beating Northern Ireland 2-0 on Thursday to reach the play-off final.
Sandro Tonali and Moise Kean scored the second-half goals which decided a tight game in Bergamo to book Italy a showdown away from home with either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina on Tuesday.
Tonali’s rocket of a strike in the 56th minute and Kean’s excellent finish 10 minutes from the end were two rare moments of quality from a match which had huge significance for four-time world champions Italy.
Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso called Thursday’s fixture the biggest match of his coaching career and the tension was palpable both in the stands and on the pitch.
The Azzurri missed the last two World Cup finals in Russia and Qatar and struggled to get past a dogged and young Northern Ireland team missing Liverpool defender Conor Bradley — also national team skipper — and Sunderland defender Dan Ballard.
