PHILADELPHIA (AP) 鈥� of France scored two goals on Monday to reach 16 for his career, moving into a tie for second most in tournament history as he tries to keep pace with
Playing in his third World Cup, the 27-year-old Mbapp茅 against Iraq, giving Les Bleus a 1-0 lead in his 100th international game. After that extended the halftime break to more than two hours, Mbapp茅 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 World Cup began.
Messi scored twice for Argentina earlier Monday to set the tournament record at 18. He had equaled Klose with in win over Algeria last Tuesday night in Kansas City, Missouri.
Mbapp茅 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鈥檚 to Norway.
For his second goal, Mbapp茅 to the goalkeeper by Iraq defender Zaid Tahseen. France’s Ousmane Dembele controlled the loose ball and passed to Mbapp茅, who tapped it in with his right foot.
Mbapp茅 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 D茅sir茅 Dou茅 and reigning Ballon d鈥橭r winner Ousmane Demb茅l茅, France entered this year’s tournament as a co-favorite with Spain.
Mbapp茅, one of two men to have a hat trick in a World Cup final, scored his 13th and 14th World Cup goals in 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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