MIAMI GARDENS, Florida — France captain Kylian Mbappe became the leading goalscorer in FIFA World Cup history on Sunday, scoring twice to surpass Lionel Messi's career tournament total, although England defeated France 6-4 to claim the bronze medal at the 2026 World Cup.
Mbappe entered the third-place playoff level with Messi's record of 21 World Cup goals. His second-half brace lifted his overall tally to 22 across the 2018, 2022 and 2026 tournaments, establishing a new all-time mark in men's World Cup history, according to FIFA and match officials.
The France forward also finished the day with 10 goals at the 2026 tournament, strengthening his position at the top of the Golden Boot standings ahead of the World Cup final between Argentina and Spain later on Sunday. Lionel Messi, on eight goals entering the final, remained mathematically capable of challenging for the scoring award but no longer held the career World Cup goals record.
England secured third place after racing into a 4-0 halftime lead through Declan Rice, Ezri Konsa and two first-half goals from Bukayo Saka. France responded after the break as Mbappe struck in the 48th and 66th minutes and Bradley Barcola added another, but Saka completed his hat trick before substitute Jude Bellingham scored in stoppage time to seal England's victory in the highest-scoring third-place match in World Cup history.
England manager Thomas Tuchel said after the match he was proud of his squad's response following their semifinal elimination and described the tournament as an important step in the team's development. France coach Didier Deschamps, overseeing his final match in charge after 14 years, said he had no regrets about his tenure despite missing out on a medal.
Mbappe's latest milestone adds to a series of records established during the tournament. FIFA had previously documented the 27-year-old's rise to second on the all-time World Cup scoring list before the bronze medal match, with only Messi ahead of him at that stage. Sunday's two goals moved the France captain into sole possession of first place.
Attention now turns to the World Cup final, where Argentina and Spain will contest the title while the remaining individual awards, including the Golden Boot, will be confirmed at the conclusion of the tournament.
