06/22/26 08:24:00
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06/22 20:23 CDT Kylian Mbapp of France scores 2 goals to reach 16 in World Cup
career, tying for 2nd most
Kylian Mbapp of France scores 2 goals to reach 16 in World Cup career, tying
for 2nd most
By DAN GELSTON
AP Sports Writer
PHILADELPHIA (AP) --- Kylian Mbapp of France scored two goals on Monday to
reach 16 for his World Cup career, moving into a tie for second most in
tournament history as he tries to keep pace with new record holder Lionel Messi.
Playing in his third World Cup, the 27-year-old Mbapp scored in the 14th
minute against Iraq, giving Les Bleus a 1-0 lead in his 100th international
game. After a weather delay that extended the halftime break to more than two
hours, Mbapp found the net again in the 54th minute to move into a tie with
Miroslav Klose of Germany, who had the goals record before this high-scoring
World Cup began.
Messi scored twice for Argentina earlier Monday to set the tournament record at
18. He had equaled Klose with his first World Cup hat trick in Argentina's 3-0
win over Algeria last Tuesday night in Kansas City, Missouri.
Mbapp scored with a left-footed strike from about 20 yards out that got past
Iraq goalkeeper Ahmed Basil, who got his first start in the tournament after
captain Jalal Hassan allowed all four goals in Iraq's 4-1 loss to Norway.
For his second goal, Mbapp took advantage of a poor pass to the goalkeeper by
Iraq defender Zaid Tahseen. France's Ousmane Dembele controlled the loose ball
and passed to Mbapp, who tapped it in with his right foot.
The Real Madrid forward had a chance at the hat trick on a late breakaway, but
missed before he was subbed out at the 90-minute mark.
Mbapp helped France win the World Cup in 2018 and reach the final in 2022,
when he was awarded the Silver Ball as the second-best player. Joined up front
by Dsir Dou and reigning Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembl, France entered
this year's tournament as a co-favorite with Spain.
Mbapp, one of two men to have a hat trick in a World Cup final, scored his
13th and 14th World Cup goals in France's 3-1 tournament-opening victory over
Senegal. He now has 59 international goals, two more than Oliver Giroud for the
most in France's rich history.
His World Cup goals include four this year; eight in 2022, when he won the
Golden Boot as the top scorer; and four in 2018.
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AP World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup
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