WATCH: Mbappe beats Pele record with eighth World Cup goal for defending champions France
- PSG superstar on target against Poland
- Quickest to eight goals before age of 24
- Looking to claim back-to-back global titles
WHAT HAPPENED? France were one goal to the good when Mbappe’s big moment arrived in a last-16 showdown with Poland at Qatar 2022, with Olivier Giroud having fired them in front with a history-making 52nd effort for his country. Mbappe, who is now leading the Golden Boot race at another global gathering in the Middle East, was always likely to get in on the act and did so in the 74th minute when collecting a pass from Ousmane Dembele and rifling right-footed beyond Wojciech Szczesny. His night was not finished there, with a second stunning strike fizzed into the back of the net during the first minute of stoppage-time.
"Inevitable!" 💥
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) December 4, 2022
France lead by two. Kylian Mbappe is incredible.
📺💻📱 Watch on @BBCOne, @BBCiPlayer and the @BBCSport app.#BBCFootball #BBCWorldCup pic.twitter.com/iFQukJwCEs
MBAPPÉ IS A CHEAT CODE 🎮
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) December 4, 2022
With this goal, he is now the current Golden Boot leader at the 2022 FIFA World Cup 👏🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/7WtrxX01As
THE BIGGER PICTURE: Mbappe has reached nine goals at the World Cup - becoming the quickest under the age of 24 to eight, with Pele having to step aside there. He has also drawn level with the likes of Roberto Baggio, Paolo Rossi, David Villa and Eusebio when it comes to total efforts at FIFA’s flagship event.
WHAT NEXT? Mbappe helped Les Bleus to ultimate glory on Russian soil in 2018 and is doing his best to ensure that Didier Deschamps’ side go back-to-back, with impressive progress being made to the quarter-finals.