Kylian Mbappe surpasses Lionel Messi to become FIFA World Cup's all-time leading goalscorer

Kylian Mbappe (22) moved past Lionel Messi's tally of 21 goals with another clinical display on the biggest stage.

Updated on: Jul 19, 2026, 04:59:41 IST

Written by Aditya Maheshwari

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Kylian Mbappe became the highest goalscorer in FIFA World Cup history after scoring twice for France against England in the 2026 World Cup third-place playoff. Mbappe (22) moved past Lionel Messi's tally of 21 goals with another clinical display on football's biggest stage. The France captain had little impact in the opening half as England raced into a commanding 4-0 lead, but he returned with renewed intent after the break. Mbappe struck twice before the second-half hydration break to give France a glimmer of hope and add another milestone to his remarkable World Cup career. The brace also took his tally to 10 goals in the tournament, moving him ahead of Messi in the race for the Golden Boot. Even with France facing an uphill task, Mbappe once again underlined his reputation for delivering on the biggest stage while continuing to rewrite the World Cup record books. However, England held their nerve to secure a 6-4 victory and claim the bronze medal, with Bukayo Saka leading the way with a superb hat-trick.

Kylian Mbappe is the leading goal-scorer in World Cup history. (AP)

Before the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Miroslav Klose held the all-time tournament scoring record with 16 goals. Messi surpassed that mark during the group stage, with Mbappe soon joining him by moving ahead of the former Germany striker. After France's semi-final defeat to Spain, Didier Deschamps named Mbappe in the starting XI for the third-place playoff, the final match of his tenure as national team coach. The France captain had been kept quiet against Spain, ending his impressive scoring run, but returned to his best against England.

Mbappe struck twice in the second half to continue his remarkable World Cup record, adding another milestone to his career while strengthening his lead in the race for the tournament's Golden Boot.

France vs England FIFA World Cup Highlights

England hit 4 goals in first half

Earlier, in the first half, England produced a ruthless first-half performance, racing into a commanding 4-0 lead over France in the third-place playoff. Declan Rice opened the scoring before Ezri Konsa doubled the advantage with a well-taken finish. Bukayo Saka then took centre stage, scoring twice to cap a superb opening 45 minutes as England carved through the French defence with pace and precision. The emphatic display came despite Thomas Tuchel leaving Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane on the bench after admitting before the match that neither team had wanted to play in the third-place playoff. Saka made the most of his opportunity, delivering his finest performance of the tournament with a clinical brace in the first half and a penalty in the second to make it a hat-trick for himself. While England's attacking intent stood in stark contrast to the cautious approach that had drawn criticism in their semi-final defeat to Argentina.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aditya Maheshwari
Aditya Maheshwari is a Chief Content Producer and sports journalist with over seven years of experience covering the sports beat across formats and platforms. A cricket-first reporter by profession, he also follows football closely and considers it an integral part of his sporting journey. His work is shaped by a strong on-ground understanding of the game and an ability to translate match-day moments into clear, engaging stories that connect with readers across digital audiences. Over the years, he has developed a balanced approach that combines factual accuracy with narrative clarity, ensuring that both breaking developments and deeper insights are presented with context. Aditya has reported from the field at several major tournaments, including the ICC Cricket World Cup, the Indian Premier League, and the Indian Super League. First-hand coverage of these events has strengthened his ability to read the pulse of high-pressure contests, whether through live reporting, post-match analysis, or long-form storytelling. Working closely around teams, venues, and evolving storylines has helped him develop a strong sense of timing and editorial judgment. While cricket remains his primary focus, Aditya regularly reports on football and keeps a close watch on other sports such as tennis, hockey, and badminton. His wide-ranging interest allows him to approach stories with broader perspective, understanding how different sporting ecosystems function and evolve. Comfortable in fast-paced digital newsrooms, Aditya is well-versed in modern sports coverage, from live blogs and real-time updates to in-depth analysis and audience-focused storytelling. He believes in keeping sports writing simple, accurate, and grounded, with emphasis on clarity over complexity. At the core of his work lies a commitment to credible reporting and telling stories that go beyond the numbers on the scoreboard, highlighting the people, preparation, and pressure behind every performance.Read More

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