PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Mbappé is coming for Messi.
Kylian Mbappé of France scored two goals on Monday to reach 16 for his World Cup career, moving into a tie for second most in tournament history as he tries to keep pace with new record holder Lionel Messi.
“If I want to keep up with what Leo is doing,” Mbappé said after France beat Iraq 3-0 to reach the knockout stage, “I’ll have to do even more.”
France is counting on it as Mbappé tries to lead Les Bleus to their second World Cup title in the last three tournaments. Mbappé would consider it a bonus if he could win it all and pass Messi for the World Cup goals record.
The 27-year-old Mbappé is 11 years younger than Messi and should have at least two or three more World Cups to secure the record — at least until the next young superstar comes around to challenge him.
“He's here to score goals and that’s something he’s been doing,” France coach Didier Deschamps said. “He’s somebody that has a worldwide aura.”
Playing in his third World Cup, Mbappé scored in the 14th minute against Iraq, giving Les Bleus a 1-0 lead in his 100th international game. After a weather delay that extended the halftime break to more than two hours, Mbappé found the net again in the 54th minute to move into a tie with Miroslav Klose of Germany, who had the goals record before this high-scoring World Cup began.
Messi scored twice for Argentina earlier Monday to set the tournament record at 18. He had equaled Klose with his first World Cup hat trick in Argentina’s 3-0 win over Algeria last Tuesday night in Kansas City, Missouri.
“Leo always scores,” Mbappé said.
Mbappé sent a left-footed strike from about 20 yards out past Iraq goalkeeper Ahmed Basil, who got his first start in the tournament after captain Jalal Hassan allowed all four goals in Iraq’s 4-1 loss to Norway.
For his second goal, Mbappé took advantage of a poor pass to the goalkeeper by Iraq defender Zaid Tahseen. France's Ousmane Dembele controlled the loose ball and passed to Mbappé, who tapped it in with his right foot.
The Real Madrid forward had a chance at the hat trick on a late breakaway but missed before he was subbed out at the 90-minute mark. He is one of two men with a hat trick in a World Cup final.
“I've seen enough criticism on his egotistical side,” Deschamps said. “But that’s not who he is. I reiterate, he’s the team captain. And he’s a bright example for the rest of the group.”
Mbappé helped France win the World Cup in 2018 and reach the final in 2022, when he was awarded the Silver Ball as the second-best player. Joined up front by Désiré Doué and reigning Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembélé, France entered this year's tournament as a co-favorite with Spain.
Dembélé also scored in the second half to complete a dominant performance for France. Les Blues won in 1998 and 2018, then lost the 2022 final to Argentina on penalty kicks.
Mbappé, one of two men to have a hat trick in a World Cup final, scored his 13th and 14th World Cup goals in France’s 3-1 tournament-opening victory over Senegal. He now has 59 international goals, two more than Oliver Giroud for the most in France's rich history.
His World Cup goals include four this year; eight in 2022, when he won the Golden Boot as the top scorer; and four in 2018.
___
AP World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup
Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.