Kylian Mbappe became the highest scorer in FIFA World Cup history on Saturday, but the historic milestone came in a losing cause as France fell 6-4 to England in a thrilling third-place playoff in Miami Gardens, Florida. The French captain scored twice in the second half to take his World Cup tally to 22 goals, moving one ahead of Argentina legend Lionel Messi. However, France’s spirited comeback from a 4-0 halftime deficit fell short as England secured the bronze medal in one of the highest-scoring matches in World Cup history. Read More: Spain or Argentina: What’s Really at Stake in the World Cup Final? Mbappe Sets New Record but Misses the Final Mbappe found the net in the 48th and 66th minutes, breaking the all-time World Cup scoring record that Messi had held with 21 goals. The Real Madrid forward has now scored 22 World Cup goals across three tournaments, including four in 2018, eight in 2022 and 10 in the 2026 edition. Despite reaching another historic landmark, Mbappe admitted the personal achievement offered little comfort after France missed out on the World Cup final. “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.” Read More: Messi Effect? FIFA World Cup Final Tickets Break US Record The 27-year-old’s latest achievement adds another chapter to an already remarkable World Cup career. He lifted the trophy with France in 2018 and scored a memorable hat trick in the 2022 final, although Argentina eventually won that match on penalties. Golden Boot Race Still Open Before Final Mbappe’s brace also strengthened his grip on the Golden Boot race. He now leads the tournament with 10 goals, two ahead of Messi, who has eight entering Sunday’s World Cup final against Spain. The final in East Rutherford, New Jersey, gives Messi one last opportunity to close the gap in both the Golden Boot standings and the all-time World Cup scoring chart. A hat trick would see the Argentine reclaim both records. Mbappe also became the first player to score 10 goals in a single World Cup since West Germany legend Gerd Muller achieved the feat in 1970. Read More: FIFA’s Ultimate Prize Gets a Luxury Louis Vuitton Journey France’s record-setting striker was overshadowed by England’s Bukayo Saka, who scored a hat trick as the Three Lions raced into a 4-0 halftime lead. France mounted an impressive second-half rally through Mbappe, Bradley Barcola and Ousmane Dembele, but Jude Bellingham’s stoppage-time goal sealed England’s 6-4 victory. Although Mbappe leaves the tournament without a medal of the color France wanted, he departs having rewritten one of football’s most prestigious records. Whether it stands for long could depend on what Messi produces in the World Cup final.
Mbappé Overtakes Messi Without Scoring More Goals
Kylian Mbappé climbed to the top of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Golden Boot standings after scoring his eighth goal in France’s 2-0 quarter-final win over Morocco. The France captain now shares the tournament lead with Lionel Messi on eight goals. However, FIFA ranks Mbappé first because he has more assists. He has three assists, while Messi has one. FIFA uses assists as the first tiebreaker. If players remain level, it considers total minutes played. France secured their semi-final place with a commanding performance at Boston Stadium. Mbappé broke the deadlock in the 60th minute. Ousmane Dembélé doubled the lead six minutes later. Didier Deschamps’ side will now face either Spain or Belgium in Arlington, Texas. Mbappé has contributed directly to 11 goals at this World Cup. He has scored eight times and created three more. Messi has eight goals and one assist, giving him nine direct goal contributions. The French forward also reached another major milestone. His latest strike took his World Cup tally to 20 goals in only 20 appearances. He now sits just one goal behind Messi’s all time World Cup record of 21 goals. Mbappé has also scored 64 goals in 104 international matches for France. Reuters confirmed the milestone after Friday’s victory. Mbappé responds after first half penalty miss France controlled the match from the opening whistle. They created several chances but failed to score before the break. Mbappé earned a penalty after Noussair Mazraoui fouled him inside the box. Officials reviewed the challenge through VAR before confirming the decision. Goalkeeper Yassine Bounou then saved Mbappé’s penalty to keep Morocco level. France finally found the breakthrough on the hour mark. Mbappé curled a superb right footed shot into the net from outside the penalty area. Dembélé then made it 2-0 in the 66th minute with a calm finish after driving forward from midfield. Morocco entered the match as African champions after an impressive tournament. However, France gave them very little space. The Moroccan side managed only one shot on target. Azzedine Ounahi forced Mike Maignan into a comfortable save from a free kick in the 83rd minute. France’s disciplined display earned another deserved victory. Reuters reported that Deschamps’ team has now reached a third straight World Cup semi-final. Golden Boot race set for dramatic finish The Golden Boot battle could go down to the final days of the tournament. Mbappé and Messi both have eight goals. Yet the French star currently leads because FIFA gives priority to assists before any other tiebreaker. Only if goals and assists remain equal will FIFA compare minutes played. France will now prepare for a semi-final against Spain or Belgium. Mbappé also has another chance to extend his Golden Boot lead. He could also equal or surpass Messi’s World Cup scoring record before the tournament ends.
Messi Makes World Cup History With Record-Equalling Hat-Trick
Lionel Messi delivered a historic performance on Tuesday, scoring the first World Cup hat-trick of his illustrious career as defending champions Argentina opened their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign with a commanding 3-0 victory over Algeria. The 38-year-old superstar lit up Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, where more than 69,000 fans witnessed another milestone in a career already packed with records. Messi became the first footballer to play in six FIFA World Cups when he led Argentina onto the pitch for his 200th international appearance. He then added another chapter to his legacy by scoring three goals and moving level with Germany’s Miroslav Klose as the joint highest scorer in World Cup history with 16 goals. Argentina dominated from the opening whistle and rarely allowed Algeria a chance to settle. Messi opened the scoring in the 17th minute. He curled a brilliant strike into the corner to register his 14th World Cup goal. The effort moved him level with German legend Gerd Muller and France captain Kylian Mbappe in the all-time rankings. Historic Hat-Trick Delights Argentina Fans The Argentine captain reached another landmark in the 60th minute. He reacted quickest after Alexis Mac Allister’s effort rebounded into his path and calmly slotted home for his second goal of the night. That strike lifted Messi to 15 World Cup goals and placed him alongside Brazilian great Ronaldo. Lionel Messi vs. Argelia Copa del Mundo 2026pic.twitter.com/bh6x9J11qi — Agustín Iseas (@AgustinIseas10) June 17, 2026 The record-equalling moment arrived in the 76th minute. Messi collected the ball near the edge of the area and fired a low finish beyond the goalkeeper to complete his hat-trick. The crowd erupted as the Argentine icon drew level with Klose on 16 World Cup goals. Four minutes later, coach Lionel Scaloni substituted Messi. Fans rose to their feet and applauded as he left the field after one of the finest World Cup performances of his career. The victory gave Argentina an ideal start in Group J as they pursue a second consecutive World Cup title after their dramatic triumph over France in the 2022 final in Qatar. Mbappe and Haaland Also Shine Elsewhere, France opened their campaign with a 3-1 win over Senegal. Kylian Mbappe scored twice and became France’s all-time leading scorer with 58 international goals, moving past Olivier Giroud. “There are still people out there who will criticise him but he is an extraordinary player,” France coach Didier Deschamps said. “Not everything came off for him, but he can win games in one moment.” Norway also enjoyed a winning start. Erling Haaland scored twice in a 4-1 victory over Iraq in Foxborough. The Manchester City striker increased his international tally to 57 goals in just 51 appearances. “You could see that he adapted to the occasion, the occasion wasn’t too big for him,” Norway coach Stale Solbakken said. “I had a good feeling before the game. I had quite a comfortable feeling that he would do it for us today.” With Messi, Mbappe and Haaland all making headlines, the race for World Cup glory and football immortality has begun in spectacular fashion.
