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FULL LIST: Players with most World Cup knockout-phase goals

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

Newswire From a news agency Context piece
  • Kylian Mbappé leads the list of top goalscorers in FIFA World Cup knockout-stage history with 10 goals.
  • Lionel Messi is among four players tied with six knockout-stage goals after scoring against Cape Verde.
  • The article notes that comparisons across eras are difficult due to significant changes in the World Cup format over time.

Kylian Mbappé of France has set a new record, becoming the all-time leading scorer in the knockout stages of the FIFA World Cup. The 27-year-old striker has netted 10 goals in this phase of the tournament, achieving this milestone after a two-goal performance against Sweden in the Round of 32 on June 30.

France captain Kylian Mbappé is the highest goalscorer in FIFA World Cup knockout-stage history with 10 goals.

— FIFAAnnouncing Kylian Mbappé's new record.

Mbappé's impressive scoring rate in knockout matches stands at an average of 1.11 goals per game, the highest among active players on the list. This achievement places him ahead of legendary figures in World Cup history.

Following closely behind are several football icons. Brazil's Leonidas and Ronaldo, along with France's Just Fontaine, Brazil's Vavá, Czechoslovakia's Oldřich Nejedlý, and Brazil's Pelé, all share the second-highest tally with eight goals each. Argentina's captain, Lionel Messi, is among a group of four players who have scored six goals in knockout matches, adding to his tally in Argentina's recent victory over Cape Verde.

Mbappé’s average of 1.11 knockout-stage goals per game is the highest among active players on the list.

— FIFAHighlighting Mbappé's exceptional scoring rate in knockout matches.

FIFA has identified only 20 players in World Cup history who have scored at least five goals in the knockout rounds. The list includes notable names such as Portugal's Eusébio, England's Gary Lineker, Italy's Roberto Baggio, Germany's Thomas Müller, and England's Harry Kane.

Argentina captain Lionel Messi is among four players with six knockout-stage goals after adding to his tally in Argentina’s 3-2 extra-time victory over Cape Verde on Friday.

— FIFAMentioning Lionel Messi's position on the all-time knockout stage scorers list.

FIFA cautions that direct comparisons of goal tallies across different eras can be misleading. The tournament's format has evolved significantly, with early tournaments in 1934 and 1938 being entirely knockout-based, while the 1950 World Cup had no knockout stage. Modern tournaments feature a different structure, making historical comparisons complex.

Comparisons across different eras should be viewed in context because the format of the World Cup has changed significantly over time.

— FIFAAdvising caution when comparing historical World Cup statistics.
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Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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