The 27-year-old scored twice during a frantic second half in Miami, taking his World Cup tally to 22 goals in three tournaments and moving one clear of Lionel Messi.
France were already staring at humiliation when Mbappe struck his first. England had raced into a 4-0 half-time lead, with Bukayo Saka scoring twice before completing his hat-trick from the penalty spot after the break.
Mbappe led France’s attempted rescue. His first goal drew him level with Messi before his second made him the World Cup’s outright leading scorer.
Flashback: Messi’s masterpiece earns Argentina’s third title
It was his 10th goal of the 2026 tournament and the latest chapter in an extraordinary World Cup career. Mbappe scored four times as France lifted the trophy in 2018 before adding eight in Qatar, including a hat-trick in the final against Argentina.
Yet the record provided little comfort.
“I would have preferred not to be the all-time top scorer and to be playing tomorrow’s match,” Mbappe said after France finished fourth.
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His place at the summit may also be brief. Messi, currently sitting on 21 World Cup goals, will have an opportunity to reclaim the record when Argentina face Spain in Sunday’s final.
For now, though, the record belongs to Mbappe. At just 27, with several years still ahead of him, his World Cup story is far from finished.
Photo: Reuters/Sam Navarro
