Kylian Mbappé continued his record-breaking FIFA World Cup campaign after inspiring France to a 2-0 victory over Morocco in Thursday’s quarter-final, sending Les Bleus into the last four of the 2026 tournament.
The France captain put his side ahead in the 60th minute before Ousmane Dembélé doubled the advantage six minutes later to seal a comfortable win over the Atlas Lions. Mbappé also provided the assist in the build-up to Dembélé’s goal.
With his latest strike, Mbappé further cemented his place among the greatest players in World Cup history. The goal took his tally in World Cup knockout matches to 12, extending his own record as the highest scorer in the competition’s knockout stages. It also saw him draw level with Lionel Messi on 20 career World Cup goals while making his 20th appearance in the tournament, equalling Hugo Lloris as France’s most-capped World Cup player.
Mbappé’s World Cup achievements now include:
- Three World Cup appearances (2018, 2022 and 2026).
- One World Cup title with France in 2018.
- Two World Cup final appearances, winning in 2018 and finishing runner-up in 2022.
- France’s joint-most capped World Cup player with 20 appearances.
- 17 World Cup victories, level with Miroslav Klose, with only Lionel Messi (20) recording more.
- 20 World Cup goals, tied with Messi for the highest tally in tournament history.
- An average of one goal per World Cup match, with 20 goals in 20 appearances.
- Five World Cup assists.
- Six braces across three World Cup editions.
- One World Cup hat-trick, achieved in the 2022 final against Argentina.
- A record 12 goals in World Cup knockout matches.
- Four goals in World Cup finals, the most by any player.
- Winner of the Golden Boot at the 2022 FIFA World Cup with eight goals.
- Recipient of the FIFA Young Player Award at the 2018 World Cup.
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The 27-year-old also became the first player to score 12 goals in the knockout rounds of the FIFA World Cup, extending a record he had already established earlier in the 2026 tournament.
France will face the winner of the quarter-final between Spain and Belgium in the semi-finals as Didier Deschamps’ side continues its quest for a third World Cup title.
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