Kylian Mbappe Underscoring why he remains one of football’s biggest match-winners, France scored twice to equalize with Sweden in a comfortable 3-0 win in the last 32 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Lionel Messi Tops the tournament’s Golden Boot standings.The France captain has now scored six goals at the World Cup, equaling Argentine superstar Lionel Messi, while also continuing his remarkable legacy at the World Cup. Mbappe’s brace at MetLife Stadium took his tally to 18 goals in 18 games at the World Cup, just one behind Messi’s record of 19.France’s crushing victory also set them up against surprise Paraguay in the last 16, as Deschamps’ side continued their journey to a third successful World Cup final.
The race for the Golden Boot heats up
As the pace of the knockout rounds quickens, the battle for the Golden Boot has become one of the biggest topics of the tournament.Top five scoring players:
- Kylian Mbappe (France) – 6 goals
- Lionel Messi (Argentina) – 6 goals
Erling Haaland (Norway) – 5 goalsOusmane Dembele (France) – 4 goalsVinicius Junior (Brazil) – 4 goals
Mbappe’s latest double also sees him become the all-time top scorer in World Cup knockout stages with 10 goals, surpassing Brazilian legends Ronaldo and Leonidas.Despite climbing alongside Messi on the goalscoring charts, the France captain insists personal milestones remain secondary to lifting the trophy.“I think, as I said, the goal is to go as far as possible – to go until July 19 and then come back here,” Mbappe said. “We are trying to win; we are taking it one step at a time. Of course, the more goals you score, the higher you will be in the rankings.”
“I don’t pay much attention to this”
With their captain in hot form, the Gallic Roosters became the first country in World Cup history to score at least three goals in five consecutive games.The 27-year-old dismissed comparisons to Messi in the World Cup record race.“I also believe Leo will score more goals, so I don’t focus too much on that. I focus more on the opponents we might face and how close we are to our goal: the final,” he said.France are currently outscoring their opponents 13-2 at this World Cup, and as the tournament enters its final stages, Mbappe’s hot form has turned the race for the Golden Boot into a thrilling showdown with Lionel Messi.
Top scorer at FIFA World Cup 2026: Beyond the top 5
- Three goals each: Deniz Undav (Germany), Johan Manzambi (Switzerland), Ismaila Sarr (Senegal), Julian Quinones (Mexico), Cody Gakpo (Netherlands), Brian Brobbery (Netherlands), Matheus Cunha (Brazil), Harry Kane (England), Elijah Just (New Zealand), Yoane Wissa (Cape Verde), Jonathan David (Canada), Ismail Saibari (Morocco) and Kai Havertz (Germany)
