Kylian Mbappe has become the all-time leading goalscorer in FIFA World Cup history after scoring twice in France’s 6–4 third-place playoff loss to England.
The French forward went into the match one goal behind Lionel Messi, who had set the record earlier in the same tournament.
Mbappe’s brace takes his tally to 22 goals, moving him ahead of Messi, who sits on 21.
Despite the defeat, Mbappe’s individual performance was historic, as he climbed to the top of the all-time scoring charts in what has been a remarkable World Cup campaign.
England secured third place in a dramatic encounter, with Bukayo Saka scoring a hat-trick, while Declan Rice, Ezri Konsa, and Jude Bellingham also got on the scoresheet.
Mbappe responded with two goals for France, with Ousmane Dembélé and Bradley Barcola also finding the net.
While Mbappe now holds the record, the story is not yet closed.
Messi is set to play in the World Cup final against Spain, giving him a final opportunity to draw level or reclaim the record.
A goal in the final would see the Argentine equal Mbappé’s tally, while two goals would take him back to the top of the all-time scoring chart.
Mbappe's rise to the summit marks a historic milestone, but with Messi still active in the competition, the battle for the record remains alive heading into the final.
What started as a race for the Golden Boot has now evolved into a direct fight for history.
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