Kylian Mbappé has leapfrogged Lionel Messi on the all‑time World Cup goal‑scoring chart as he netted his 21st and 22nd goals in the competition during France’s third‑place playoff against England.

France trailed 4‑0 at half‑time, but Mbappé’s first‑time finish in the 48th minute sparked a comeback, and a second strike in the 66th minute sealed the win. The 27‑year‑old’s brace also gives him an edge over Messi in the tournament’s Golden Boot race, with 10 goals in North America compared to Messi’s eight.

Mbappé burst onto the World Cup scene in 2018, earning the Young Player of the Tournament, scoring four goals and helping France lift the trophy. He scored a hat‑trick in the 2026 opener against Argentina, but it was Messi who moved beyond Miroslav Klose by scoring twice against Austria and adding to his tally against Jordan, Cape Verde and Egypt. Now 39, Messi is in his sixth World Cup and has a chance to reclaim the record when he leads Argentina against Spain on Sunday.

This milestone underscores the fierce rivalry between the French and Argentine stars, each pushing the limits of World Cup history.