​Editor’s note: Follow the France vs. Morocco live coverage here. French superstar Kylian Mbappé continued an extraordinary and dazzling run at the 2026 World Cup by scoring in the 60th minute against Morocco on Thursday, July 9, in the quarterfinals. That goal marked his 8th of this tournament, bringing his tally to 8 from France’s total of 15 goals so far. Mbappé and Lionel Messi remain locked in a duel for the World Cup’s all-time scoring record and for the Golden Boot at this event. Even if Mbappé falls short of surpassing Messi’s career World Cup scoring record this year, he will likely do so in the next tournament, given that Messi is competing in his final World Cup for Argentina.
Watch Mbappé and France face Morocco in the World Cup quarterfinals, 1 of 16. Mbappé has been unstoppable for France at the 2026 World Cup, and these images capture some of his most memorable moments on the pitch. He sprints with the ball past Iraq’s midfielder Zaid Ismael during the Group I match between France and Iraq in Philadelphia on June 22, 2026. (FRANCK FIFE, AFP via Getty Images)
Heading into Thursday’s quarterfinal against Morocco, Mbappé had 19 career World Cup goals, and his tally rose to 20, just behind Messi’s 21. “I don’t think about it that way,” Mbappé said after France’s round of 16 win when asked in Spanish about his record-breaking pace. “Of course, I know all the stats and what people are saying—I watch TV, too—but I’m focused only on how I can help my team and be here again on July 19 for the final.” His 60th-minute strike against Morocco gave France a 1-0 lead, a goal the team would extend seven minutes later, as Mbappé added to his growing tally.
This World Cup marks Mbappé’s 12th knockout-stage goal, the most by any player in the tournament’s history. He had one goal in the round of 16 (a penalty) and two in the round of 32 win over Sweden on Tuesday, June 30, at MetLife Stadium. The rankings below reflect active players in bold.
21 – Lionel Messi, Argentina
20 – Kylian Mbappé, France
16 – Miroslav Klose, Germany
15 – Ronaldo, Brazil
14 – Gerd Müller, West Germany
14 – Harry Kane, England
13 – Just Fontaine, France
12 – Pelé, Brazil
11 – Sandor Kocsis, Hungary
11 – Jürgen Klinsmann, West Germany/Germany
11 – Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal
10 – Helmut Rahn, West Germany
10 – Gary Lineker, England
10 – Gabriel Batistuta, Argentina
10 – Teófilo Cubillas, Peru
10 – Thomas Müller, Germany
10 – Grzegorz Lato, Poland
The atmosphere around the quarterfinals in Foxborough was electric, with Moroccan supporters waving a French flag in the stands as fans from both nations looked on. The World Cup’s single-elimination format continues to intensify the drama as teams vie for a place in the semifinals and a shot at lifting football’s most coveted trophy.