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France’s forward Kylian Mbappe celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the World Cup third-place match against England at the Miami Stadium in Miami on July 18, 2026. (AFP)
Kylian Mbappe became the top scorer in World Cup history on Saturday when he netted his second goal in the third-place play-off against England to take his tally to 22.
The Frenchman, who has scored his goals over three World Cups, is now one ahead of Argentina’s Lionel Messi, who will play in Sunday’s final against Spain.
Despite Mbappe’s efforts, France lost 6-4 as their attempted comeback from a 4-0 halftime deficit fell short.
Mbappe scored goals in the 48th and 66th minutes to move one ahead of Argentina great Lionel Messi.
“I’m just trying to help my team score every time,” Mbappe said after the match.
“It’s for sure that when you score that many goals in the World Cup, it elevates you to certain levels but I would have liked to not be the top scorer in history and play tomorrow’s (championship) match.
“So, I think it’s good for legacy and when we stop (playing) to say that I was one of those players. But today, it’s not the first thing crossing my mind.”
Mbappe also has 10 goals in this World Cup, two ahead of Messi in the competition for the Golden Boot. Messi’s squad meets Spain in Sunday’s final in East Rutherford, N.J., meaning the Argentine star has a chance to surpass both marks Mbappe set.
Mbappe is the first player with 10 goals in a World Cup since West Germany’s Gerd Muller in 1970.
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