Kylian Mbappe Underlining why he remains one of the game’s greatest ever scorers, he scored twice as France beat Sweden 3-0 in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 to level the Lionel Messi at the top of the tournament’s Golden Boot standings.The France captain now has six goals in the tournament, equaling Argentina superstar Messi, while also extending his remarkable World Cup legacy. Mbappe’s brace at the MetLife Stadium took his overall World Cup tally to 18 goals in just 18 games, leaving him one behind Messi’s all-time record of 19.France’s dominant win also set up a Round of 16 clash against surprise package Paraguay as Didier Deschamps’ side continued their march towards a third straight World Cup final.
The Golden Boot battle is heating up
With knockout rounds gathering pace, the Golden Boot race has become one of the biggest talking points of the tournament.Top five scorers:
- Kylian Mbappe (France) – 6 goals
- Lionel Messi (Argentina) – 6 goals
Erling Haaland (Norway) – 5 goalsOusmane Dembélé (France) – 4 goalsVinicius Junior (Brazil) – 4 goals
Mbappe’s latest double also saw him become the top scorer in World Cup knockout history with 10 goals, surpassing Brazilian legends Ronaldo and Leônidas.Despite climbing alongside Messi in the scoring charts, the France skipper insists individual milestones remain secondary to lifting the trophy.“I think the goal, as I said, is to go as far as possible – to do it on July 19 and come back here,” Mbappe said. “We’re trying to win; we’re taking it one step at a time. Of course, the more goals you score, the higher you climb the ranks.”
“I didn’t focus too much on that”
With their captain in red hot form, Les Bleus became the first country in World Cup history to score at least three goals in five consecutive matches.The 27-year-old rejected comparisons to Messi in the race for World Cup records.“I’m also convinced that Leo will score more goals, so I’m not focusing too much on that. I’m more focused on the opponents we can face and how close we are to our goal: the final,” he said.France have now outscored their opponents 13-2 in the tournament, while Mbappe’s red-hot form has turned the Golden Boot race into an intriguing duel with Messi as the World Cup enters its decisive phase.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Top-Scorers: 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 (Cabo Verde (Mocco) (Germany).