06/22/26 09:43:00
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06/22 21:41 CDT Kylian Mbapp of France scores 2 goals to reach 16 in World Cup
career, tying for 2nd most
Kylian Mbapp of France scores 2 goals to reach 16 in World Cup career, tying
for 2nd most
By DAN GELSTON
AP Sports Writer
PHILADELPHIA (AP) --- Mbapp is coming for Messi.
Kylian Mbapp of France scored two goals on Monday to reach 16 for his World
Cup career, moving into a tie for second most in tournament history as he tries
to keep pace with new record holder Lionel Messi.
"If I want to keep up with what Leo is doing," Mbapp said after France beat
Iraq 3-0 to reach the knockout stage, "I'll have to do even more."
France is counting on it as Mbapp tries to lead Les Bleus to their second
World Cup title in the last three tournaments. Mbapp would consider it a bonus
if he could win it all and pass Messi for the World Cup goals record.
The 27-year-old Mbapp is 11 years younger than Messi and should have at least
two or three more World Cups to secure the record --- at least until the next
young superstar comes around to challenge him.
"He's here to score goals and that's something he's been doing," France coach
Didier Deschamps said. "He's somebody that has a worldwide aura."
Playing in his third World Cup, Mbapp scored in the 14th minute against Iraq,
giving Les Bleus a 1-0 lead in his 100th international game. After a weather
delay that extended the halftime break to more than two hours, Mbapp found the
net again in the 54th minute to move into a tie with Miroslav Klose of Germany,
who had the goals record before this high-scoring World Cup began.
Messi scored twice for Argentina earlier Monday to set the tournament record at
18. He had equaled Klose with his first World Cup hat trick in Argentina's 3-0
win over Algeria last Tuesday night in Kansas City, Missouri.
"Leo always scores," Mbapp said.
Mbapp sent a left-footed strike from about 20 yards out past Iraq goalkeeper
Ahmed Basil, who got his first start in the tournament after captain Jalal
Hassan allowed all four goals in Iraq's 4-1 loss to Norway.
For his second goal, Mbapp took advantage of a poor pass to the goalkeeper by
Iraq defender Zaid Tahseen. France's Ousmane Dembele controlled the loose ball
and passed to Mbapp, who tapped it in with his right foot.
The Real Madrid forward had a chance at the hat trick on a late breakaway but
missed before he was subbed out at the 90-minute mark. He is one of two men
with a hat trick in a World Cup final.
"I've seen enough criticism on his egotistical side," Deschamps said. "But
that's not who he is. I reiterate, he's the team captain. And he's a bright
example for the rest of the group."
Mbapp helped France win the World Cup in 2018 and reach the final in 2022,
when he was awarded the Silver Ball as the second-best player. Joined up front
by Dsir Dou and reigning Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembl, France entered
this year's tournament as a co-favorite with Spain.
Dembl also scored in the second half to complete a dominant performance for
France. Les Blues won in 1998 and 2018, then lost the 2022 final to Argentina
on penalty kicks.
Mbapp, one of two men to have a hat trick in a World Cup final, scored his
13th and 14th World Cup goals in France's 3-1 tournament-opening victory over
Senegal. He now has 59 international goals, two more than Oliver Giroud for the
most in France's rich history.
His World Cup goals include four this year; eight in 2022, when he won the
Golden Boot as the top scorer; and four in 2018.
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AP World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup
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