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France's Mbappe sets World Cup scoring record with 22 goals

Emmy Sasipornkarn with AFP, Reuters
July 19, 2026

Kylian Mbappe has moved past Lionel Messi on the all-time World Cup goal-scoring record in a spectacular match for third place. England won the game 6-4.

Kylian Mbappe of France celebrates during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Bronze Final between France and England at Miami Stadium on July 18, 2026
Mbappe won the Golden Boot with 8 goals in the last World CupImage: Carlos Barria/REUTERS

France's Kylian Mbappe became the top scorer in World Cup history on Saturday after netting a 22nd goal in the third-place play-off against England.

However, his team suffered a 6-4 defeat to the Three Lions in Didier Deschamps' last match as France's head coach.

Mbappe is now one ahead of Argentina's Lionel Messi on the World Cup all-time goal-scoring table. Messi will have a chance to win back the title when Argentina play in Sunday's final.

Mbappe needed 22 games to set the record, while Messi needed 33 matches to score his 21 goalsImage: Luke Hales/Getty Images/AFP

Mbappe's brace also saw the France captain move to the top of the race for the Golden Boot, which will be awarded to the player with the most goals in the tournament. He now has two more goals than Messi in the 2026 World Cup.

"Messi ⁠is ​going to score (on Sunday), that's for ​sure. I'm just trying to help my team win. When ​you score a ‌lot of goals at the World Cup, it puts you in a certain ​category," Mbappe said.

"I ⁠would have preferred not to be the all-time top scorer ⁠and to ​be playing tomorrow's match. It's good in terms of legacy, but today it's not the first thing on my mind," he added.

England beat France 6-4 in wild World Cup bronze match

England were in complete control after scoring four first-half goals to leave France facing an embarrassing defeat.

Mbappe struck twice as Les Bleus battled back, but England held firm.

Saka scored a hat-trick for the Three Lions while Bellingham became the first England player to score seven goals at a single World Cup.

The result secured third place for England, the team's best World Cup performance since winning the tournament in 1966.

Bukayo Saka (center) is the second England player to score a hat-trick in a World Cup knockout matchImage: Paul Childs/REUTERS

Deschamps' last dance for France

The third-place playoff at the World Cup was Deschamps' last game as France coach. 

As a player, Deschamps led the French team to a World Cup title in 1998. As a coach, he guided France to World Cup glory in 2018 and a runner-up finish four years ago.

But Les Bleus missed their chance for a third consecutive final appearance after losing 2-0 against Spain in the semi-finals.

Didier Deschamps is stepping down as France manager after 14 yearsImage: Carlos Barria/REUTERS

On Sunday, European champions Spain will face World Cup holders and South American champions Argentina in the final.

Edited by: Sean Sinico

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