Kylian Mbappe scored his 22nd goal at the World Cup to break the all-time scoring record and cement his legacy as the best striker in the world as he played his final match of the tournament against England.
France endured a nightmare first half as they trailed 4-0 after the opening 45 minutes. But Mbappé’s first-time finish in the 48th minute prompted a thrilling comeback from Les Bleus, with Bradley Barcola cutting England’s lead to two before the France captain found the back of the net again in the 66th minute.
Now 39 and playing in his sixth World Cup, Messi has a chance to take the record back from Mbappé when he leads his country in Sunday’s final against Spain.
“Leo scores all the time. Tomorrow he will score for sure,” Mbappé said in an interview after the game. “I just try to help my team every time to score. It’s certain that when you score so many goals in the World Cup it elevates you to certain levels but there you go. “I would have preferred not to be the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history and instead be able to play in the World Cup final tomorrow.”
The Real Madrid forward’s brace also gives him the edge over Messi in the tournament’s Golden Boot race. Mbappé, 27, has scored 10 goals in North America, while Messi sits at eight.
