Kylian Mbappé added another remarkable chapter to his FIFA World Cup career after inspiring France to a 2-0 victory over Morocco in Thursday’s quarter final, extending an extraordinary list of records and milestones that further cement his place among the greatest players in tournament history.
The France captain broke the deadlock in the 59th minute before Ousmane Dembele sealed victory as Didier Deschamps’ side advanced to the semi finals, where they will face either Spain or Belgium.
Mbappé’s strike carried historic significance beyond helping France into the last four. It moved the 27-year-old level with Lionel Messi as the joint-highest scorer in FIFA World Cup history with 20 goals and strengthened his grip as the competition’s greatest knockout-stage scorer.
The goal against Morocco also made Mbappé the first player ever to score 12 goals in World Cup knockout matches, surpassing legendary names such as Ronaldo Nazario and Leônidas.
Already one of the defining figures of modern international football, Mbappé has now featured in three World Cups Russia 2018, Qatar 2022 and the ongoing 2026 tournament and continues to rewrite the record books.
He won the World Cup with France in 2018, finished runner-up in 2022 after scoring a historic hat-trick in the final against Argentina, and is now chasing a second world title.
Remarkably, Mbappé has scored 20 goals in just 20 World Cup appearances, maintaining an average of one goal per game while also providing five assists.
He also shares France’s all-time World Cup appearance record with former captain Hugo Lloris on 20 matches and has now celebrated 17 World Cup victories, matching Germany legend Miroslav Klose. Only Lionel Messi, with 20 World Cup wins, has recorded more victories in the competition.
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Among his growing collection of achievements are six braces across three editions of the tournament, the Golden Boot at Qatar 2022 after finishing as the competition’s top scorer with eight goals, and the FIFA Young Player Award following France’s triumph in Russia in 2018.
Mbappé’s World Cup records and milestones
- Three FIFA World Cup appearances (2018, 2022 and 2026)
- FIFA World Cup winner (2018)
- Two World Cup final appearances (2018 winners, 2022 runners-up)
- France’s joint-most capped World Cup player (20 appearances, level with Hugo Lloris)
- 17 World Cup victories, level with Miroslav Klose
- Joint-highest scorer in World Cup history (20 goals, level with Lionel Messi)
- Averaging one goal per World Cup match (20 goals in 20 games)
- Five World Cup assists
- Six braces across three World Cups
- One World Cup hat-trick (2022 final against Argentina)
- Record 12 goals in World Cup knockout matches
- Four goals in World Cup finals, the most by any player
- Winner of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Golden Boot
- FIFA Young Player Award winner at the 2018 World Cup
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Mbappé has another opportunity to add to a resume that is already among the finest the World Cup has ever witnessed With France now just two victories away from another world title.
