Mbappé nears Messi's World Cup mark but says 'Leo will score more but I want the trophy'

Kylian Mbappé is closing in on Lionel Messi’s World Cup goal record while emphasizing that France’s priority is reaching the final. In a 3-0 win over Sweden on Tuesday, Mbappé scored twice—his 17th and 18th World Cup goals overall—to move within one of Messi’s 19. With six goals in the tournament, he also tied Messi in the race for the Golden Boot. The 90-degree Fahrenheit (32°C) conditions included a moment where Lucas Digne was doused with a sprinkler during a hydration break. Mbappé struck in the 45th minute via a give-and-go with Ousmane Dembélé and again in the 74th after a pass from Michael Olise. He noted Didier Deschamps’ return to the sideline after missing the group finale for his mother’s funeral, and said he expects Messi to score more but is focused on France’s path to the July 19 final.