Kylian Mbappe has become the highest-scoring player in World Cup history after scoring twice for France in their 6-4 defeat by England in the third-place play-off.
The forward’s goals took him to 22 in the competition, moving him above Lionel Messi on the all-time list. They also put him ahead in the 2026 Golden Boot race during a match that became the highest-scoring World Cup third-place game ever.
Mbappe’s double came in a chaotic second half after France had trailed 4-0 at half-time. Bradley Barcola also scored as Didier Deschamps’ side pulled three goals back and created chances to level before England restored their cushion.
The match had begun badly for France, with England scoring four times before the interval through Declan Rice, Ezri Konsa and two goals from Bukayo Saka. BBC Sport reported that France had not trailed by four goals at half-time in any match since April 1930.
Sky Sports later reported that Mbappe finished the tournament with 10 goals, two ahead of Messi, who ended on eight. It said Mbappe became the first player to win the World Cup Golden Boot twice, following his success at Qatar 2022.
His total also made him the first player to score 10 goals in a single World Cup since Germany’s Gerd Muller in 1970. The milestone came in defeat, with England securing their best men’s World Cup finish since 1966.