Kylian Mbappé has once again rewritten football history.The France captain scored twice in a breathtaking 6-4 defeat to England in the 2026 FIFA World Cup third-place playoff, becoming the all-time leading goalscorer in World Cup history while simultaneously moving to the top of the Golden Boot standings ahead of Sunday’s final between Argentina and Spain.Although France fell short in a remarkable 10-goal thriller in Miami, Mbappé left the pitch having eclipsed Lionel Messi‘s long-standing scoring record on football’s biggest stage.His brace took him to 22 career World Cup goals, one more than Messi, who had moved into first place earlier in this tournament. Mbappé also climbed to 10 goals at the 2026 World Cup, overtaking Messi in the Golden Boot race after the Argentina captain finished the semifinals with eight goals.
England survive extraordinary 10-goal thriller
The third-place playoff delivered one of the most entertaining matches in World Cup history.England stormed into a commanding 4-0 halftime lead through goals from Declan Rice in the third minute, Ezri Konsa in the 18th minute and a first-half brace from Bukayo Saka, who struck in the 37th minute and again in first-half stoppage time.With Didier Deschamps preparing for the final match of his 14-year spell as France manager, Les Bleus responded with a dramatic revival after the interval.Mbappé sparked the comeback with a clinical finish three minutes into the second half before Bradley Barcola reduced the deficit further in the 54th minute.
France’s Kylian Mbappe (10) scores their first goal past England goalkeeper Dean Henderson (13) during the World Cup third-place playoff soccer match between France and England in Miami Gardens, Fla., Saturday, July 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
The Real Madrid forward then struck again in the 66th minute to make it 4-3, a goal that not only revived France’s hopes but also carried enormous historical significance as it lifted him beyond Messi on the World Cup’s all-time scoring chart.England eventually regained control.Bukayo Saka completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot in the 87th minute before Ousmane Dembélé scored deep into stoppage time to reduce the deficit to 5-4. Jude Bellingham then capped the extraordinary contest with a superb solo goal in the 98th minute as England secured a memorable 6-4 victory and third place.
A new World Cup goals king
Mbappé’s second goal of the afternoon completed one of the most remarkable statistical achievements in football history.The 27-year-old has now scored 22 goals in just 22 World Cup appearances, maintaining an extraordinary average of one goal per game across the 2018, 2022 and 2026 tournaments.By comparison, Messi reached 21 World Cup goals across 31 appearances before adding another during Argentina’s run to this year’s final.Mbappé’s World Cup journey has already included the 2018 title, the 2022 final, and now another deep run in 2026. He first burst onto the global stage by winning the Young Player Award in Russia before scoring a hat-trick in the 2022 final against Argentina, even though France ultimately lost on penalties.
Kylian Mbappé takes Lionel Messi’s World Cup goals record and Golden Boot lead/ Image: AP
During this tournament, he also overtook Olivier Giroud to become France’s all-time leading scorer. His latest brace added another record to an already extraordinary résumé.Mbappé has now also become the player with the most non-penalty goals in World Cup history, moving onto 19, surpassing Messi’s tally of 17.
Golden Boot race swings in Mbappé’s favour
The brace also dramatically changed the race for the tournament’s top scorer.Before kickoff, Messi led the standings after producing two assists in Argentina’s semifinal victory over England, giving him eight goals and four assists compared to Mbappé’s eight goals and three assists.Saturday’s performance completely altered the picture.The updated standings are:
- Kylian Mbappé (France): 10 goals, 4 assists
- Lionel Messi (Argentina): 8 goals, 4 assists
- Harry Kane (England): 6 goals, 1 assist
- Jude Bellingham (England): 7 goals, 1 assist
- Ousmane Dembélé (France): 6 goals, 2 assists
Mbappé now holds a two-goal advantage at the top, placing him firmly in pole position to claim the Golden Boot.
Messi still has one final opportunity
Despite Mbappé’s historic afternoon, the story is not yet over.Messi will lead Argentina into Sunday’s World Cup final against Spain at the New York New Jersey Stadium, giving the 39-year-old one final opportunity to respond.Victory would deliver Argentina a second consecutive World Cup title, while multiple goals could yet see Messi reclaim both the tournament scoring record and the Golden Boot.For now, however, both honours belong to Mbappé.In a tournament already filled with remarkable individual performances, France’s captain has produced another historic milestone, becoming the first player ever to score 22 World Cup goals, doing so in only 22 matches, and moving one step closer to adding another Golden Boot to his growing collection of individual honours.
