Mbappé's Goal Worths 3: Qualification, Top Scorer, and One Step Away from Historic Messi

Kylian Mbappé's decisive goal against Paraguay in the 2026 World Cup not only propelled France into the quarterfinals but also marked a significant milestone in his personal World Cup journey. The French star scored his seventh goal of the tournament via a penalty kick, drawing him level with Lionel Messi at the top of the goal-scoring charts for this edition.

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Kylian Mbappé extended his World Cup history this Saturday by scoring his seventh goal with significant value: he qualified France for the quarterfinals, and with now 19, he remains in the shadow of Lionel Messi, the top scorer in these tournaments.

This latest strike brings Mbappé's total World Cup career goals to 19, positioning him as the second-highest scorer in the tournament's history. He now stands just one goal shy of Lionel Messi, who holds the all-time record with 20 goals. The close race between the two footballing giants adds an extra layer of intrigue to the ongoing competition.

The article draws a parallel between Messi, who celebrated his 39th birthday on June 24, and Mbappé, who will turn 28 on December 20. Despite an 11-year age difference, both players are currently dominating the 2026 World Cup scoring race, showcasing their enduring prowess on the global stage.

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With 11 years difference, Messi, who turned 39 on June 24, and Mbappé, who will celebrate 28 on December 20, share the top of the tournament's scorers' classification with 7 goals.

Mbappé's consistent performance and goal-scoring ability have been pivotal for France's campaign. His ability to deliver crucial goals, as demonstrated in the match against Paraguay, reinforces his status as one of the world's elite footballers and a key figure in the history of the World Cup.

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In the history of all World Cups, the Albiceleste's number ten dominates the classification with 20 goals and Les Bleus' number ten follows him with 19.