France star striker Kylian Mbappé scored his 19th career World Cup goal by converting a penalty against Paraguay in the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Associated Press.
Mbappé's goal puts him one behind Lionel Messi, who has 20 World Cup goals. The match took place in Philadelphia, with Mbappé wearing the No. 10 jersey and scoring from the spot in the first half.
According to the Associated Press, this goal increased Mbappé's World Cup tally. He previously scored in the 2018 and 2022 World Cups. Mbappé remains one of the youngest players in World Cup history.
During the match, Mbappé stood out with his speed and technique. Despite Paraguay's strong defense, the French forward managed to pressure and score. This victory allowed France to advance to the quarterfinals.
Mbappé's achievement places him among the top scorers in World Cup history. He has surpassed legends like Miroslav Klose (16 goals), Ronaldo (15 goals), and Gerd Müller (14 goals). Only Messi is ahead.
Associated Press photographers Martin Meissner, Matt Rourke, and Matt Slocum captured key moments of the match. Their images show Mbappé's joy after scoring and his activity on the field.
France will face a strong opponent in the World Cup quarterfinals. Mbappé continues to maintain excellent form and help his team. His 19 goals are among the highest in World Cup history.