NEW DELHI: France captain Kylian Mbappe created history on Thursday by becoming the first player since 1966 to register 10 or more goal contributions in two separate FIFA World Cups.The 27-year-old reached the landmark after scoring a goal and providing an assist in France’s 2-0 victory over Morocco in the World Cup quarterfinals. Mbappe finished with 10 goal contributions at the 2022 World Cup and has already taken his tally to 11 in the ongoing 2026 edition.
More records for Mbappe
It was another record-breaking night for the France skipper.Mbappe became the youngest player to make 20 FIFA World Cup appearances and also the fastest player to reach 20 goals in the tournament’s history.His strike in the 60th minute was the 20th World Cup goal of his career, leaving him just one behind Lionel Messi‘s all-time tally of 21.The Real Madrid forward also moved back to the top of the Golden Boot standings. Mbappe and Messi both have eight goals in the tournament, but the Frenchman leads on the tiebreaker with three assists compared to Messi’s one.
Mbapped joins Messi
Mbappe also entered an exclusive list after his performance against Morocco.He became only the fourth player in the last 60 years to score, provide an assist and miss a penalty in the same World Cup match. Remarkably, the rare feat has now been achieved twice in the last three days, with Lionel Messi doing it against Egypt before Mbappe repeated it against Morocco.It was also the third time Mbappe has scored and assisted in the same World Cup game. The only player to have done it more often over the last 60 years is Messi, who has achieved the feat five times.
France march into the semifinals
Mbappe’s brilliant display helped France beat Morocco 2-0 and book their place in the World Cup semifinals.Ousmane Dembele scored France’s second goal as Les Bleus stayed on course to become only the third nation to reach three consecutive World Cup finals.France also extended another impressive record, registering their sixth World Cup victory in matches officiated by Argentinian referees—the most by any nation.The match was also Mbappe’s 20th World Cup appearance under Didier Deschamps, the highest by any player under the same coach.France will now face either Spain or Belgium in the semifinals in Dallas.
