Mbappe is still too outstanding.
The Swedish team made things difficult for France in the first half, with a tight, impenetrable defensive wall to keep the score at 0-0. Coach Graham Potter's players understood that when facing France, absolute defense was the only way forward. Most of France's opponents think this way, but whether they can stop "Les Bleus" is another matter. Because France is not only strong, but also has a striker who has the potential to become one of the most outstanding in World Cup history, like Kylian Mbappe.
In the recently concluded match against Sweden at MetLife Stadium, Mbappe needed only a gap created by Ousmane Dembele 's well-placed pass to tear through goalkeeper Zetterstrom's defense. In the 45th minute, with the Swedish goal still heavily contested, Mbappe found a space. He cleverly moved into the left corner of the penalty area and curled the ball through a crowd of defenders to open the scoring for France.
Mbappe shines with a brace against Sweden.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Mbappe only needs a small amount of space, for a split second, to break down the "Swedish concrete" defense. That's the difference of the 28-year-old striker. He doesn't need space; he's willing to accept being suffocated by close marking and relentlessly pursued with every dribble. Yet, Mbappe still makes a difference thanks to his quick, clean, and precise ball control.
Mbappe's moment of brilliance came in the 74th minute, when he broke the offside trap, sprinted forward, and then calmly slotted the ball into the far corner. In just four World Cup matches, he scored three braces. In every France game, Mbappe left his mark, either scoring or assisting. Eight years after his World Cup debut, the French striker is at the peak of his career, not only scoring but also creating breakthroughs, dictating play, and displaying true leadership qualities.
Chasing after Messi and breaking records.
The French once considered 1998 a glorious milestone because of their first World Cup victory, and it was also the year Mbappe was born.
Mbappe is now just one goal behind Messi in the race for the greatest World Cup goalscorer of all time.
PHOTO: REUTERS
The striker, born in Bondy, needed less than three World Cups to score 18 goals. He scored four goals in the 2018 World Cup, including a strike against Croatia in the final, to lead France to their second World Cup title.
At the 2022 World Cup, Mbappe scored 8 goals, including a hat-trick against Argentina in the final. In this year's tournament, the 28-year-old striker has already scored 6 goals, with a long way to go.
Mbappe has risen to the top of the 2026 World Cup top scorer list alongside Lionel Messi, both with 6 goals. In the race for the greatest striker of all time, Mbappe has 18 goals, surpassing Miroslav Klose to claim second place. Mbappe is also only one goal behind Messi at the top. And remember, France's journey in the 2026 World Cup is likely a long one.
France will face Paraguay in the Round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup. If they win, Mbappe and his teammates will meet Morocco or Canada in the quarter-finals. It seems only a matter of time before Mbappe equals Messi's record.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/mbappe-vuot-klose-ap-sat-messi-thay-doi-lich-su-world-cup-18526070106014921.htm
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