Mbappe sets World Cup scoring mark despite France defeat
Kylian Mbappe reached 22 career World Cup goals as England beat France 6-4 in the third-place match in Miami, Al Jazeera reported.
By Lucas Ferreira · Science & Environment Writer
2 min read
Kylian Mbappe became the leading scorer in World Cup history with his 22nd goal in the tournament, Al Jazeera reported, but France still lost the third-place playoff to England. England won 6-4 in Miami on Saturday to finish third at the 2026 World Cup, according to the report.
Mbappe scored twice in what Al Jazeera described as his final match of the tournament. The goals took him past Lionel Messi on the career World Cup scoring list and put him in front in the race for the Golden Boot.
Al Jazeera reported that France, the 2018 World Cup champion, endured its worst start of the tournament and trailed 4-0 at halftime. England fielded a much-changed side, according to the report, but built a lead large enough to withstand France’s second-half surge.
Mbappe passes Messi
Mbappe, France’s 27-year-old captain, began the comeback in the 48th minute, Al Jazeera reported. That goal moved him to 21 career World Cup goals, level with Messi, and also put him level for the most goals at the 2026 tournament with nine.
France scored again six minutes later through Bradley Barcola, according to Al Jazeera. Mbappe then struck in the 66th minute, lifting his career World Cup total to 22 and his 2026 tally to 10.
The second Mbappe goal made him the all-time leading scorer in World Cup play, according to Al Jazeera. Reuters photographer Marco Bello captured Mbappe celebrating France’s third goal in the match.
Al Jazeera reported that Mbappe is now positioned to defend the Golden Boot he won at the previous World Cup. Messi, 39, is expected to have one more chance to overtake him when Argentina face Spain in Sunday’s final, according to the report.
England take the bronze
France added a fourth goal through Ousmane Dembele, Al Jazeera reported. It was Dembele’s sixth World Cup goal and France’s last of the match.
England’s attack was led by Bukayo Saka, who scored a hat-trick, according to Al Jazeera. Jude Bellingham also scored, netting England’s sixth goal of the match.
Al Jazeera reported that Bellingham’s goal was his seventh of the tournament and made him England’s all-time scorer in this World Cup. The result gave England a podium finish after a 10-goal match at Miami Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.
The defeat ended France’s campaign despite Mbappe’s record-setting performance. England leave with third place, and the tournament’s individual scoring race now turns to Messi and Argentina in the final against Spain, according to Al Jazeera.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.