Mbappé equals Messi's non-penalty World Cup record with 17th goal against Morocco

Kylian Mbappé matched Lionel Messi’s all-time record for non-penalty World Cup goals on Tuesday, netting in the 60th minute of France’s quarterfinal against Morocco at Boston Stadium to reach 17 such strikes across three tournaments.

The goal was also Mbappé’s 20th overall at the World Cup in as many appearances, making him only the second player in history to reach that landmark — again behind Messi. His tally of 12 knockout-stage goals extends a separate record he already held outright as the most by any player in World Cup history.

Mbappé has now featured at the 2018, 2022 and 2026 editions of the tournament, steadily accumulating milestones that place him alongside — and in some categories ahead of — the game’s all-time greats. Tuesday’s strike against Morocco was the latest chapter in a record-breaking run that has accelerated sharply at this edition of the competition.

Should France hold on to their result against Morocco, they would face the winner of Spain versus Belgium on Tuesday, 14 July at Dallas Stadium, with a place in the World Cup final at stake.