Mbappe Equals Messi's World Cup Scoring Record as France Reach Quarterfinals

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The Pakistan Times Live

 Islamabad Times 

France striker Kylian Mbappe has drawn level with Argentina's Lionel Messi at the top of the all-time FIFA World Cup goal-scoring charts, netting a decisive penalty to send Les Bleus past a stubborn Paraguay side and into the quarterfinals of the 2026 World Cup. The Pakistan Times Live brings readers a complete rundown of this historic football moment that has gripped fans across the globe, including millions of football enthusiasts in Pakistan.

The match, played at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia amid sweltering heat of nearly 38 degrees Celsius, was far from a comfortable outing for the tournament favourites. Paraguay, who had stunned four-time champions Germany on penalties in the previous round, arrived with a defensive game plan built on a low block and physical resistance. For long stretches, France dominated possession but struggled to break through a well-organised Paraguayan defence.

The breakthrough finally came in the 70th minute. Substitute Desire Doue was brought down inside the box after a VAR review, and referee Ilgiz Tantashev pointed to the spot. Mbappe, who has become accustomed to delivering under pressure on football's biggest stage, stepped up calmly and sent the goalkeeper the wrong way to make it 1-0. That single moment settled a tense and, at times, feisty encounter marked by shoving and verbal exchanges between players.

The goal was Mbappe's seventh of the tournament, pulling him level with Messi in the race for the Golden Boot, and his 19th World Cup goal in just 19 career appearances — one shy of Messi's all-time record of 20. Remarkably, both players have now scored seven or more goals in two separate World Cup tournaments, a feat achieved by only these two men in the history of the competition. The Pakistan Times Live notes that this rivalry for the record books has become one of the defining storylines of the 2026 World Cup.

Mbappe's achievement also carries broader statistical weight. His penalty was France's 150th World Cup goal overall, making Les Bleus only the fourth nation in history — after Brazil, Germany, and Argentina — to reach that milestone. He also became the only player to score three or more goals in the knockout stage across three different World Cups, surpassing legends such as Ronaldo Nazario, Gary Lineker, and Vava, who each managed the feat at two tournaments.

For Paraguay, the tournament ends in heartbreak, but their campaign will be remembered fondly. Ranked 41st in the world, Gustavo Alfaro's side became the first Paraguayan team since 1998 to reach the World Cup knockout stage, and their penalty-shootout win over Germany stands as one of the biggest upsets of the tournament. Despite the loss, Paraguay completed just 99 passes in the match — the lowest ever recorded in a World Cup knockout fixture — a testament to their disciplined, defence-first approach that nearly frustrated France for the entire ninety minutes.

France will now travel back to their Boston base to prepare for a quarterfinal showdown against Morocco on Thursday, July 9, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. The Atlas Lions secured their spot with a comfortable 3-0 win over co-hosts Canada, powered by a brace from Azzedine Ounahi and a strike from Soufiane Rahimi. Notably, this will be a repeat of the 2022 World Cup semifinal in Qatar, where France defeated Morocco 2-0 en route to the final.

Football fans following the tournament closely will recall that Messi's record-equalling goal came just a night earlier in Argentina's dramatic win over Cape Verde, keeping the pressure on Mbappe to respond. With two goals apiece in the current Golden Boot standings — Messi and Mbappe now separated only by assists, with Mbappe holding a slight edge — the race to be crowned the tournament's top scorer remains one of the most closely watched subplots of the World Cup.

The Pakistan Times Live will continue to provide updates as the World Cup enters its final and most dramatic stages, with the quarterfinals promising even more intense competition. Whether Mbappe can surpass Messi's all-time record before the tournament concludes remains one of football's most compelling questions this July.

As the world's attention turns to the remaining matches, football lovers in Pakistan and beyond are closely tracking every kick, every save, and every record broken in what is shaping up to be one of the most memorable World Cups in recent history.

The Pakistan Times Live. All Rights Reserved.

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