Mbappé Nets 21st Career World Cup Goal to Tie Messi’s All-Time Record

French superstar Kylian Mbappé has equaled Lionel Messi’s record for the most goals in FIFA World Cup history. The milestone was achieved during Saturday’s third-place match against England, where Mbappé found the back of the net in the 48th minute to bring his career tournament total to 21.

The goal extended Mbappé’s tally for the 2026 tournament to nine, putting him in the lead for the Golden Boot. Playing in a deficit situation after France trailed 4-0 at halftime, the striker converted a precise pass from defender Dayot Upamecano. This consistency marks a continuation of Mbappé’s World Cup pedigree, having scored four goals during France’s victorious 2018 campaign and eight times in 2022.

The race for the all-time record has been a defining narrative of the 2026 event. Entering the tournament, Germany’s Miroslav Klose held the record with 16 career goals. Both Messi and Mbappé surpassed that mark during the group stage, with Messi initially taking the lead. Mbappé subsequently leveled the score with his 17th goal in a Round of 32 victory over Sweden.

For viewers following the action, the broadcast has been provided primarily by Fox Corporation. The media giant, which operates in the Communication Services sector, holds significant rights to air major football tournaments. As of the latest market session, Fox Corporation is trading up, with shares moving 2.8% to $57.62. The company has a market capitalization of approximately $23.47 billion.

The record is currently shared, but it may not remain tied for long. Argentina is scheduled to face Spain in the World Cup final on Sunday, giving Messi an immediate opportunity to reclaim sole possession of the top spot.

What to watch

• Argentina’s performance in the final against Spain on Sunday will determine if Messi retakes the all-time lead.
• Future broadcast rights and viewership numbers for tournaments featuring these athletes remain a key revenue driver for Fox Corporation.

Source: original release