Kylian Mbappe passes Lionel Messi for career World Cup scoring record with 22 goals

Kylian Mbappe moved past Lionel Messi to become the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history, netting twice for France in Saturday's third-place match against England to take his career tally to 22 goals.

Mbappe struck twice in the second half as France, trailing 4-0, pulled back to 4-3. He flicked home his first in the 48th minute past goalkeeper Dean Henderson, then added a left-footed finish from around 14 yards in the 66th minute, the goal that took him past Messi's long-standing mark of 21.

The 27-year-old also finished the tournament with 10 goals, two clear of Messi, putting him in strong contention for a second Golden Boot. He had gone into the match level with Messi on eight goals apiece before Saturday.


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Both France and England arrived in Miami still processing heavy semifinal defeats. France's hopes of reaching a third straight final were ended by Spain in a 2-0 loss, while England were beaten 2-1 by Argentina a day later. Spain and Argentina now meet in Sunday's final.

The match also marked the end of an era for France: it was Didier Deschamps' final game in charge of Les Bleus. Deschamps, who has managed France since 2012, led the side to the 2018 World Cup title, the 2020-21 Nations League crown and a runner-up finish in 2022.

England, meanwhile, opted to rest their two biggest attacking threats, Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham, both of whom had six goals apiece and an outside shot at the Golden Boot, with neither introduced even after the break, effectively ending their own scoring-race hopes.

Four years ago in Qatar, Mbappe had won the Golden Boot with eight goals, only to see France lose the final to Messi's Argentina on penalties. This time, with the final out of reach for both sides, Saturday's bronze-medal game offered little beyond pride — and, for Mbappe, one more piece of individual history.