Miami sees Kylian Mbappe break World Cup scoring record as England claim bronze

By Rohan Gupta — 19 July 2026 — 3 min read

Mbappe’s Record-Breaking Performance

Kylian Mbappe of France achieved a significant milestone during the recent World Cup bronze-medal match against England in Miami. He scored his 22nd goal in the tournament, surpassing the all-time scoring record. This achievement further solidified his reputation as a leading striker in the sport.

During the match, Mbappe netted goals in the 48th and 66th minutes. His first goal brought him level with Lionel Messi for the most goals in a single World Cup, reaching 21. The second goal then pushed him past Messi, establishing a new all-time record with 22 World Cup goals. These two goals also elevated his tournament tally to 10, placing him in the lead for the Golden Boot race.

Despite Mbappe’s individual brilliance, France ultimately lost the third-place play-off to England with a score of 6-4. The match was described as a “wild” encounter, with England securing a podium finish.

England’s Historic Third-Place Finish

England secured third place in the World Cup, marking their best finish since their victory in 1966. The team achieved this by defeating France in a high-scoring match. England established a strong lead in the first half, going up 4-0.

Key contributions for England included a hat-trick from Bukayo Saka, who scored a late penalty. Jude Bellingham also found the net, scoring his seventh goal of the tournament and England’s sixth in the match, contributing to their bronze medal win. This result represents a significant achievement for the English squad.

The match itself was a remarkable display of offense, with both teams contributing to a 10-goal thriller. It was the sixth game in men’s World Cup history to feature 10 or more goals, and the highest-scoring game since 1982.

Notable Individual Achievements and Managerial Reflections

Beyond Mbappe’s record, other players also made their mark. Michael Olise of France provided two assists during the match, bringing his total to seven for the tournament. This broke Pele’s record for the most assists in a single World Cup, a record that had stood since 1970. Additionally, Ousmane Dembele scored his sixth World Cup goal, which was France’s fourth and final goal against England.

England’s manager, Thomas Tuchel, reflected on the team’s performance and the criticism he faced after the semi-final defeat. He expressed that while the pain of missing the final would remain, securing the bronze medal was a positive outcome. Tuchel emphasized the importance of reacting on the pitch and rebuilding trust with fans, noting that the team would be back together for the Nations League in seven or eight weeks.

The match also saw Dean Henderson start in goal for England, ending Jordan Pickford’s streak of 33 consecutive major-tournament starts. This was England’s first game at a major tournament without Pickford starting in 10 years. The result also marked only the second time since 1992 that England defeated a higher-ranked opponent at the World Cup.

Meanwhile, France’s manager, Didier Deschamps, discussed his 14-year tenure and wished the next French manager well. He highlighted the team’s potential and talent, expressing his hope for continued success for the French national side.

The tournament is set to conclude with the final match between Argentina and Spain, where Messi will have a final opportunity to contend for the Golden Boot.

Source: aljazeera.com

Rohan Gupta

Sports Reporter