PHILADELPHIA (AP) 鈥� Mbapp茅 is coming for Messi.
of France scored two goals on Monday to reach 16 for his career, moving into a tie for second most in tournament history as he tries to keep pace with
鈥淚f I want to keep up with what Leo is doing,鈥� Mbapp茅 said after France to reach the knockout stage, 鈥淚鈥檒l have to do even more.鈥�
France is counting on it as Mbapp茅 tries to lead Les Bleus to their second World Cup title in the last three tournaments. Mbapp茅 would consider it a bonus if he could win it all and pass Messi for the World Cup goals record.
The 27-year-old Mbapp茅 is 11 years younger than Messi and should have at least two or three more World Cups to secure the record 鈥� at least until the next young superstar comes around to challenge him.
鈥淗e’s here to score goals and that鈥檚 something he鈥檚 been doing,鈥� France coach Didier Deschamps said. 鈥淗e鈥檚 somebody that has a worldwide aura.鈥�
Playing in his third World Cup, Mbapp茅 against Iraq, giving Les Bleus a 1-0 lead in his 100th international game. After that extended the halftime break to more than two hours, Mbapp茅 found the net again in the 54th minute to move into a tie with Miroslav Klose of Germany, who had the goals record before this World Cup began.
Messi scored twice for Argentina earlier Monday to set the tournament record at 18. He had equaled Klose with in win over Algeria last Tuesday night in Kansas City, Missouri.
鈥淟eo always scores,鈥� Mbapp茅 said.
Mbapp茅 sent a left-footed strike from about 20 yards out past Iraq goalkeeper Ahmed Basil, who got his first start in the tournament after captain Jalal Hassan allowed all four goals in Iraq鈥檚 to Norway.
For his second goal, Mbapp茅 to the goalkeeper by Iraq defender Zaid Tahseen. France’s Ousmane Dembele controlled the loose ball and passed to Mbapp茅, who tapped it in with his right foot.
The Real Madrid forward had a chance at the hat trick on a late breakaway but missed before he was subbed out at the 90-minute mark. He is one of two men with a hat trick in a World Cup final.
鈥淚’ve seen enough criticism on his egotistical side,鈥� Deschamps said. 鈥淏ut that鈥檚 not who he is. I reiterate, he鈥檚 the team captain. And he鈥檚 a bright example for the rest of the group.鈥�
Mbapp茅 helped France win the World Cup in 2018 and reach the final in 2022, when he was awarded the Silver Ball as the second-best player. Joined up front by D茅sir茅 Dou茅 and reigning Ballon d鈥橭r winner Ousmane Demb茅l茅, France entered this year’s tournament as a co-favorite with Spain.
Demb茅l茅 also scored in the second half to complete a dominant performance for France. Les Blues won in 1998 and , then on penalty kicks.
Mbapp茅, one of two men to have a hat trick in a World Cup final, scored his 13th and 14th World Cup goals in over Senegal. He now has 59 international goals, two more than Oliver Giroud for the most in France’s rich history.
His World Cup goals include four this year; eight in 2022, when he won the Golden Boot as the top scorer; and four in 2018.
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