Messi vs Mbappe: Inside the Tightest Golden Boot Race in Recent World Cup Memory
Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe are locked together on seven goals apiece as the World Cup 2026 Golden Boot race turns into the tournament's defining storyline.
Kylian Mbappe
8 articles
Mbappe Pulls Level with Messi as France Grind Past Paraguay to Set Up Morocco Quarter-Final
Kylian Mbappe's 70th-minute penalty was enough for France to beat Paraguay 1-0 in an ill-tempered Round of 16 tie, drawing him level with Lionel Messi in the Golden Boot race and setting up a quarter-final against Morocco.
World Cup 2026 Stats: Mbappe Tops Messi, Ronaldo Breaks Knockout Duck, Manzambi Channels Pele
Kylian Mbappe surpasses Lionel Messi's record, Cristiano Ronaldo scores his first knockout goal at 39, and Switzerland's Johan Manzambi becomes the youngest player with five goal involvements since Pele.
Paraguay vs France: The Giant Killers Just Shocked Germany. Can They Do It to the Favourites?
Paraguay eliminated Germany on penalties in the biggest World Cup 2026 upset. Now they face France and Kylian Mbappe. Here is why this matchup is more dangerous for Les Bleus than the bracket suggests.
World Cup Golden Boot Race: Mbappe Catches Messi as Ronaldo's Record Falls
Kylian Mbappe has matched Lionel Messi's tournament-leading goal tally at the 2026 World Cup while breaking Ronaldo's all-time record and Haaland hunts from behind.
France Top the 2026 World Cup Power Rankings as Mbappe Hunts a Crown
ESPN's post-group-stage panel rank France No. 1 with 16 of 20 first-place votes after a perfect group and a 3-0 win over Sweden, with Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele and Michael Olise driving the favourites.
France vs Sweden: Les Bleus Face a Dangerous Round of 32 Test at MetLife Stadium
France carry a perfect group record into a World Cup Round of 32 tie with Sweden, where Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé meet the speed of Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyökeres.
El Clásico preview: Barcelona one win from the title against Real Madrid
Barcelona host Real Madrid at the Spotify Camp Nou knowing a win seals back-to-back La Liga titles - the form, tactics and stakes behind a Clásico with the championship on the line.