Kylian Mbappé achieved a new career milestone as he broke Lionel Messi’s major World Cup record.
Last World Cup runner-up France lost the third-place playoff to England on Saturday, July 18.
One of the most thrilling matches of the tournament witnessed 10 goals as England claimed a 6-4 win over France in Miami, Florida.
From Englishman Jude Bellinghum to French forward Mbappé, players from both sides delivered some record-breaking performances.
Bukayo Saka scored a hat-trick, and Bellingham became the first-ever Englishman and the only midfielder in FIFA history to score 7 goals in the World Cup.
Mbappé surpasses Messi's record
The France national team captain scored two goals in the second half of the game against England to break eight-time Ballon d’Or award winner Messi's all-time top scorer record and to surpass him in the Golden Boot race.
After a double strike in the third-place playoff, the 27-year-old forward’s World Cup career goals tally reached 22, while the tournament tally reached 10, which means he became the all-time goal scorer in the world and the highest at the tournament.
Messi, who is two goals behind Mbappé in the Golden Boot race, is set to face Spain in the finals. If the 39-year-old failed to score a goal during the final showdown, the former Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) star could defend his Golden Boot title.
Kylian Mbappé disappointed after bronze match heartbreak
France did not get a chance to net a ball even once in the first half, which gave England a lead of 4-0.
Didier Deschamps’s side scored all of its four goals in the second half. Later, Mbappé, noting the first-half struggles, expressed his frustration at not giving the French football manager the farewell he deserved.
He said, “In the first half, I can understand those who say we were taking the piss and that we didn't respect the shirt. I would say instead that we were human. Unfortunately, we were completely stunned. They gave us a proper wake-up call. In the second half, we became top-level players again, mental machines who no longer have feelings."
“It's more disappointing for the coach. We wanted to do something for him, but unfortunately the first half gave the impression that we had let him down. We want to thank the coach for everything he has done. This match will not tarnish the legend of Didier Deschamps,” Mbappé added.
France’s captain ahead of the match paid a heartfelt tribute to coach Deschamps, who is stepping down after leading the team for 14 years.
Zinédine Zidane has been officially hired as the new head coach of the France national team after the World Cup.
