World Cup 2026: Kylian Mbappé Breaks Ronaldo's Knockout Record With Brace Against Sweden
· YEN.com.gh News · Join- Kylian Mbappé scored twice against Sweden to reach 10 knockout stage World Cup goals, surpassing Leônidas and Ronaldo
- The Real Madrid forward now equals Lionel Messi's six-goal tally at the 2026 World Cup after France's Round of 32 win
- France faces Paraguay on July 4 after the South Americans eliminated Germany on penalties in the Round of 32
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Kylian Mbappé has etched his name deeper into World Cup history by becoming the tournament's all-time leading scorer in the knockout stages.
The 27-year-old reached the landmark after scoring twice in France's commanding 3-0 victory over Sweden in the Round of 32 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup on June 30.
Source: Getty Images
Mbappé breaks Ronaldo's World Cup record
The Real Madrid forward, who wears a unique shirt, has now scored 10 goals in just nine World Cup knockout appearances, setting a new record in the competition's history.
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According to Opta, Mbappé eclipsed Brazil icon Ronaldo Nazário by opening the scoring on the stroke of half-time before completing his brace after the restart to move clear of both Ronaldo and Leônidas, who had jointly held the previous record with eight knockout-stage goals.
His double also took his tally to six goals at the 2026 World Cup, drawing him level with Argentina captain Lionel Messi at the top of the tournament's scoring charts.
According to ESPN, the brace lifted Mbappé to 18 goals in 18 World Cup appearances, leaving him just one behind Messi on the competition's all-time scoring list.
The achievement is even more remarkable considering Messi has reached 19 goals in 29 World Cup matches – 11 more appearances than the French superstar.
The landmark comes at a pivotal stage of the tournament, with Mbappé chasing a second World Cup crown after leading France to glory in Russia in 2018.
That ambition was denied four years later when Messi inspired Argentina to a dramatic penalty-shootout victory in the Qatar final, a heartbreaking defeat Mbappé appears determined to put behind him with another deep run in 2026.
Source: Getty Images
Mbappé and France to meet Paraguay
Les Bleus will next face Paraguay in the Round of 16 on July 4.
The South Americans earned their place in the last 16 by eliminating Germany on post-match penalties in what proved to be one of the more dramatic results of the knockout phase.
The meeting presents a significant test for France, whose progression has been driven in large part by Mbappé's clinical finishing.
With the record now his alone, the 27-year-old enters the next round carrying both the weight of expectation and the momentum of a player at the height of his powers.
France set 2 unique World Cup records
In another publication, YEN.com.gh reported that France became the first nation to win seven successive World Cup matches against UEFA opponents, setting a new tournament record.
Didier Deschamps' men also made history by becoming the first French side to score at least three goals in five consecutive World Cup matches.
Source: YEN.com.gh