Mbappé reaches magical milestone: 20 goals in World Cups
Kylian Mbappé once again wrote his name in the history of world football. This Thursday, the French captain reached the mark of 20 goals in the final stages of the World Cup, when he opened the scoring against Morocco in the quarter-finals of the 2026 World Cup, played in the United States, Mexico and Canada. A well-placed shot, just after the hour mark, beat Yassine Bounou and sealed a night of new status for the 27-year-old striker.The moment was even more symbolic because, in the first half, Mbappé had the opportunity to achieve the feat earlier, but saw Bounou save a penalty. The Moroccan goalkeeper delayed the inevitable, but was unable to prevent the Frenchman's goal after the break, in what was yet another brilliant display from the leader of the French attack.
With this goal, Mbappé now has 20 goals in World Cups and is just one behind Lionel Messi on the list of all-time top scorers in the competition. In the specific plan of this edition, the Frenchman scores eight goals — the same as the Argentinean —, keeping the fight for the Golden Boot of the 2026 World Cup alive. Remember that Messi's Argentina has a meeting with Switzerland in the early hours of Saturday to Sunday, a duel that could directly influence the race for the tournament's top scorer award.
In addition to his record at the World Cup, the night brought another milestone for Mbappé: the forward has now reached 100 direct goal appearances for the France team, divided between 64 goals scored and 36 assists. Numbers that illustrate the scale of his impact on the team that won the world champion in 2018 and finalist in 2022, and which, in 2026, will once again position itself among the main candidates for the title.
The goal against Morocco comes in the context of qualifiers, where details decide the fate of the teams. France has benefited from Mbappé's imperial form, capable of unbalancing with his speed, finishing and reading of spaces. On the other hand, the Atlas Lions once again demonstrated organization and competitive character, with Bounou making quality interventions, including the penalty save that postponed the Frenchman's inevitable celebration.
As the 2026 World Cup enters its knockout phase, the tournament's narrative intersects with that of the active legends. Mbappé, already with 20 goals in World Cups, is approaching the absolute top of the historical table, while competing, in the sprint, for the leadership of the top scorers in this edition. With France alive in the competition and Argentina also still in the competition, the race between Mbappé and Messi promises to be one of the great storylines until the final whistle of the 2026 World Cup.
Frequently asked questions
How many goals did Kylian Mbappé score in World Cups?
Kylian Mbappé scored 20 goals in the final stages of the World Cup.
Who was France's opponent in the quarter-finals of the 2026 World Cup?
France's opponent in the quarter-finals of the 2026 World Cup was Morocco.
Who saved Mbappé's penalty in the first half of the game?
Mbappé's penalty was saved by Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou.
How many goals does Mbappé have in this edition of the 2026 World Cup?
In this edition of the 2026 World Cup, Mbappé scored eight goals.
What is the number of direct goal interventions that Mbappé achieved while serving the France national team?
Mbappé reached 100 direct goal interventions, with 64 goals scored and 36 assists.
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