Kylian Mbappe has reclaimed the Golden Boot conversation with a historic 22nd World Cup goal, surpassing Lionel Messi’s all-time record in a wild 6-4 defeat to England. The 27-year-old French captain’s brace in Miami on Saturday ensured his name sits alone atop the tournament’s scoring list, even as his team settled for a bronze-medal match loss. Main Developments Mbappe netted in the 48th minute to level with Messi at 21 goals, then struck again in the 66th to claim the outright record. France’s 4-0 halftime deficit proved insurmountable, though Bradley Barcola pulled one back in the 54th minute before Mbappe’s second. Ousmane Dembele added France’s fourth goal, his sixth of the tournament. England’s Bukayo Saka delivered a hat-trick, while Jude Bellingham became the Three Lions’ all-time World Cup scorer with his seventh goal of the competition. The result secured a podium finish for England, who will leave Miami with bronze. Read also: Cockroach Party protest escalates after activist forcibly hospitalized Background Mbappe and Messi had traded the Golden Boot lead throughout the 2026 tournament, each holding the top spot at different stages. Messi’s 21 goals had been the previous all-time record, set across five World Cups. Mbappe, now 27, has reached 22 in just three tournaments, underscoring his generational talent. France, the 2018 champions, entered the bronze-medal match after a disappointing semifinal exit. Their worst start to a World Cup—trailing 4-0 at halftime—reflected a disjointed performance against a rejuvenated England side. Why It Matters Mbappe’s record cements his status as the preeminent striker of his era, with a scoring rate that outpaces legends like Messi and Miroslav Klose. The record also shifts the Golden Boot race into its final act: Messi, playing what is likely his last World Cup, will have one more match—Sunday’s final against Spain—to reclaim the lead. For France, the defeat exposed defensive vulnerabilities that will need addressing ahead of the 2026 World Cup cycle. England, meanwhile, demonstrated depth and resilience, with Saka and Bellingham emerging as tournament-defining performers. What's Next Messi and Argentina face Spain in the World Cup final on Sunday, where the 39-year-old could snatch the Golden Boot from Mbappe with a multi-goal performance. The all-time scoring record may shift again if Messi adds to his 21 goals. France will regroup after a turbulent campaign, while England celebrate their first podium finish since 2018.