Kylian Mbappé of France has set a new World Cup scoring record, achieving his 22nd goal in the tournament during the third-place playoff match against England. This performance also placed him at the top of the Golden Boot standings for the current tournament. The match, held in Miami, saw England defeat France 6-4 in a high-scoring encounter.
Mbappé, the 27-year-old captain for France, scored twice in the match. His first goal came in the 48th minute, bringing him level with Lionel Messi’s previous record of 21 World Cup goals. Just 18 minutes later, in the 66th minute, Mbappé scored again, securing his position as the all-time leading goal scorer in World Cup history with 22 goals. This also brought his tally for the current tournament to 10 goals, surpassing Messi’s eight.
Match Highlights and Comeback Attempt
The third-place playoff was an eventful match, with England taking a commanding 4-0 lead by halftime. Goals for England came from Declan Rice in the third minute, Ezri Konsa in the 18th minute, and a brace from Bukayo Saka, who scored in the 37th minute and again in first-half stoppage time. France, the 2018 champions, faced a significant deficit early in the game.
France mounted a comeback in the second half, initiated by Mbappé’s goal three minutes after the interval. Bradley Barcola further reduced the deficit six minutes later, in the 54th minute. Mbappé’s second goal of the match in the 66th minute made the score 4-3, briefly reviving France’s hopes in the contest.
England Secures Third Place
Despite France’s efforts, England ultimately regained control of the match. Bukayo Saka completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot in the 87th minute. Ousmane Dembélé scored France’s fourth and final goal deep into stoppage time, reducing the deficit to 5-4. The match concluded with Jude Bellingham’s solo goal in the 98th minute, sealing a 6-4 victory for England and securing them a third-place finish in the World Cup.
Jude Bellingham also became England’s all-time leading scorer in this tournament with his seventh goal. Ousmane Dembélé’s sixth World Cup goal contributed to France’s scoring effort in the match. The game was described as a remarkable 10-goal thriller.
Mbappé’s Historic Achievements
Mbappé’s two goals against England marked a significant milestone in his career. He has now scored 22 goals in 22 World Cup appearances across the 2018, 2022, and 2026 tournaments, maintaining an average of one goal per game. This achievement places him ahead of Lionel Messi, who reached 21 World Cup goals over 31 appearances.
In addition to becoming the all-time leading scorer, Mbappé also now holds the record for the most non-penalty goals in World Cup history, with 19, surpassing Messi’s 17. His performance in the third-place playoff also put him in a strong position for the Golden Boot award for the current tournament.
Golden Boot Race Update
Before the third-place playoff, Lionel Messi led the Golden Boot race with eight goals and four assists. However, Mbappé’s two goals and one assist in the match against England dramatically altered the standings.
The updated standings for the top scorers in the tournament are:
- Kylian Mbappé (France): 10 goals, 4 assists
- Lionel Messi (Argentina): 8 goals, 4 assists
- Jude Bellingham (England): 7 goals, 1 assist
- Ousmane Dembélé (France): 6 goals, 2 assists
- Harry Kane (England): 6 goals, 1 assist
Mbappé now holds a two-goal advantage, positioning him as a strong contender for the Golden Boot title. Messi, at 39 years old, will have one final opportunity to reclaim the award and potentially the overall scoring record when Argentina faces Spain in the final on Sunday.
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Source: aljazeera.com
