Mbappé scores twice in consecutive matches! Sets 7 major records, rises to 2nd on World Cup all-time scoring list with 16 goals, just 2 behind Messi

The World Cup Group I second-round clash on June 23 Beijing time saw France beat Iraq 3-0, clinching a spot in the knockout stage after two straight victories. During the game, Mbappé, aged 27, repeated his double-scoring performance, achieving back-to-back braces in this World Cup.

Just 14 minutes into the first half, Mbappé received a cross from Olise and unleashed a powerful left-footed shot from the edge of the box, which curled into the far corner of the net, easily breaking the deadlock for France.

Despite a two-hour suspension due to a thunderstorm, Mbappé still found the net in the second half. In the 54th minute, a major defensive error by Iraq handed France a gift, as Dembélé unselfishly squared the ball, allowing Mbappé to tap into an empty net for his second goal. In stoppage time, Mbappé was substituted, missing out on a chance for a hat-trick.

After this brace, however, Mbappé set several records. First, his World Cup goal tally reached 16 goals in 16 matches, tying Klose for second place on the all-time World Cup scoring list, just two goals behind first-place Messi.

Second, this marked Mbappé’s 60th goal in his 100th appearance for the French national team. Third, Mbappé became the first player in World Cup history to score two or more goals in six different matches.

Fourth, Mbappé became the fourth player in World Cup history to score two or more goals in three consecutive matches, following Guillermo Stábile (3 matches), Sándor Kocsis (4 matches), and Messi (3 matches).

Fifth, as France’s captain in this World Cup, Mbappé has scored four goals. He thus surpassed Zidane (3 goals) and tied Platini (4 goals) to become the player with the most World Cup goals while serving as captain of the French national team.

Sixth, this season, Mbappé has scored 52 goals for both club and country, matching his second-best personal tally (52 goals in the 2024/25 season), trailing only his 54-goal campaign in 2022/23.

Seventh, Mbappé’s goal tally in major national team tournaments (European Championship + World Cup) has reached 17, tying Kane for fourth place in history, just five behind leader Ronaldo.

Considering Mbappé is only 27, while Messi is playing in his last World Cup, it may only be a matter of time before Mbappé surpasses Messi to become the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history.