Top Scorer with 5 Goals in This Tournament
Breaks Record for Most Goals Before Age 24, Surpassing Football Emperor Pele's 7 Goals
First Golden Boot and Challenge for France's Second Consecutive Title
On the 5th (Korean time), the Round of 16 match between France and Poland was held at Al Thumama Stadium in Doha, Qatar during the 2022 Qatar World Cup.France's Mbappe is celebrating after scoring the team's third goal and his multi-goal.
[Image source=Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heeyoon] "He is a fantastic player. He is a 'star' and will become a player to follow Messi, Ronaldo, and Lewandowski. I support him."
The recently defeated opposing coach generously poured out messages of support and praise for the opposing team's forward. Poland coach Czesław Michniewicz repeatedly praised him in an interview after the match against France. The young forward of the 'defending champion' France, Kylian Mbapp? (24, Paris Saint-Germain), is explosively showcasing his talent on this World Cup stage.
On the 5th (Korean time), at the Al Thumama Stadium in Doha, Mbapp? led France's 3-1 victory over Poland in the 2022 Qatar World Cup Round of 16 by scoring 2 goals and providing 1 assist, accounting for all three goals for France.
The momentum was terrifying. At the 26th minute of the first half, Mbapp? accelerated past defenders and penetrated Poland's right side but could not finish with a shot. At that moment, Mbapp?'s speed was recorded at 35 km/h, completely breaking down Poland's defensive line. When Mbapp?'s speed was displayed on the scoreboard, the crowd let out gasps of amazement.
Showing overwhelming skill, Mbapp? launched another attack. At the 44th minute of the first half, he delivered a precise pass through defenders to Olivier Giroud (AC Milan), assisting the opening goal. Giroud, who had scored multiple goals in the first group stage match against Australia, reached 3 World Cup goals together with Mbapp? through this assist. With this record, Giroud surpassed the legendary French forward Thierry Henry to become France's all-time top scorer in A matches with 52 goals. Henry scored 51 goals in 123 appearances for the French national team from 1997 to 2010.
On the afternoon of the 4th (local time), the Round of 16 match between France and Poland in the 2022 Qatar World Cup was held at Al Thumama Stadium in Doha, Qatar. France's Kylian Mbappe is dribbling. [Image source=Yonhap News]
Although Giroud's performance was notable, the star of the match was Mbapp?.
In the second half, Mbapp? shook Poland's net with a fast, accurate, and sharp shot at the 29th minute. Continuing his momentum, Mbapp? added another goal at the 46th minute of the second half, bringing his total to 5 goals in the tournament and taking the lead as the top scorer.
Previously, Mbapp? scored 4 goals in the last tournament, and now, in just 4 matches, he is closer to becoming the top scorer of the Qatar World Cup with 5 goals. Poland's star striker Lewandowski also scored a goal from a penalty kick in this match but it was not enough to change the flow.
Mbapp? won the 'Young Player Award' by scoring 4 goals in his first World Cup appearance at the 2018 Russia World Cup. Four years later, having grown explosively, he is breaking his own records and setting new scoring records. Mbapp?, who will celebrate his 24th birthday on the 20th, also broke the record for the most goals scored by a player under 24 years old in World Cups (9 goals). He surpassed the previous record of 7 goals held by the 'King of Football' Pel? (Brazil) with 2 goals against Poland.
France, having advanced to the quarterfinals, is aiming for the final, so Mbapp? may increase his record further. Coach Czesław Michniewicz's high praise was not empty words but a prophecy. Poland's star Lewandowski also showed a brilliant shot from a penalty kick but ultimately had to turn back in the Round of 16. Lewandowski, 34 this year, will be 38 at the 2026 North American World Cup, making this effectively his last World Cup.
Before this tournament, France faced concerns about the 'curse of the defending champion.' Key players such as Paul Pogba (Juventus), Presnel Kimpembe (Paris Saint-Germain), Christopher Nkunku (Leipzig), and N'Golo Kant? (Chelsea) were sidelined due to injuries, creating a crisis. However, with the performances of the Mbapp?-Giroud duo, France has completely dispelled worries and is boldly challenging for a second consecutive title.
If Mbapp? finishes the tournament with his current form, he is expected to become the top scorer of his first World Cup and lead France to a second consecutive championship, rising as the new king of football.
The only countries to have recorded back-to-back World Cup wins are Italy (1934, 1938) and Brazil (1958, 1962).
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