Mbappé closes in on Messi's World Cup scoring record with 19th goal

Mbappé is closing in on Messi’s World Cup scoring record as he moved within one goal of Lionel Messi’s all-time tally with his 19th career World Cup goal. In France’s Round of 16 match against Paraguay on Saturday, Mbappé converted a penalty in the 70th minute to break a scoreless deadlock, sending Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill the wrong way. The spot-kick was awarded after a video review determined Diego Gómez committed a foul. It was Mbappé’s seventh goal of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, tying Messi in the Golden Boot race. Messi’s 20th career World Cup goal came on Friday against Cape Verde, and he has scored in eight consecutive World Cup matches. Erling Haaland and Harry Kane also have five goals each, with FIFA using assists first if points are tied.