Mbappe’s World Cup record set against backdrop of fixture criticism
Kylian Mbappe becomes all-time leading scorer with 22 goals, but CBS Sports questions the validity of records achieved in a match described as having no competitive significance.
Kylian Mbappe has become the all-time leading goal scorer in World Cup history, surpassing Lionel Messi’s previous tally of 21 goals. The French forward reached the milestone with 22 career goals after scoring twice in France’s 6-4 defeat to England in the third-place match on Saturday. The result also secured Mbappe the Golden Boot with 10 goals in the tournament, making him the first player since Gerd Muller in 1970 to score double digits in a single World Cup edition.
The match, played in Miami, took place after France’s 2-0 semifinal loss to Spain, a game in which Mbappe had limited impact. The fixture has drawn significant criticism for its lack of competitive significance, with commentators from CBS Sports describing the third-place match as having "no competitive significance" and comparing it to a "glorified friendly." Critics argue that the fixture is often treated with rotated lineups and a lack of intensity, contrasting it with the high stakes of knockout stages elsewhere in the tournament.
England secured third place through a decisive performance, leading 4-0 at one stage through goals from Declan Rice, Ezri Konsa, and a hat-trick from Bukayo Saka. France fought back to 4-5 with goals from Mbappe, Bradley Barcola, and Ousmane Dembele. The match concluded with Jude Bellingham scoring in the 90+8th minute to secure England’s sixth goal, establishing him as England’s all-time top scorer at the World Cup with seven goals.
The third-place match marked the final game for Didier Deschamps as manager of the French national team. However, the context of the victory has raised questions about the value of the records achieved within it. Observers note that other major tournaments, such as the UEFA European Championship since 1980 and Copa America since 1993, have either scrapped or rarely utilised third-place matches, unlike the Olympics where bronze medals are awarded.
Commentators suggest that FIFA retains the match for financial reasons rather than sporting merit. The article highlights the upcoming introduction of a World Cup halftime show and championship rings for winners as evidence of the tournament's "Americanisation." It is noted that key players, such as Harry Kane, sat out the match, illustrating how coaches rotate lineups in this fixture, further diminishing its competitive standing compared to earlier stages of the tournament.
