France will meet Morocco in the semi-finals of Qatar 2022, led by Kylian Mbappe. So, HITC Football has run through all nine of the goals the forward has scored at a World Cup so far.
Mbappe is featuring at just his second edition of the quadrennial FIFA tournament. The 23-year-old made his competition debut at Russia 2018 whilst Les Bleus won their second title to date. He also became only the third teenager ever to win the Best Young Player award.
Only Brazil icon Pele at 17 in 1958 and Michael Owen of England at 18 in 1998 had secured the gong before turning 20 before Mbappe did so at 19. He may now back up his gong with the Golden Ball. No one has yet won it at the World Cup after their Best Young Player title.
Kylian Mbappe’s goals for France could create World Cup history at Qatar 2022
Mbappe could create history by winning the Golden Ball at Qatar 2022 having led France’s World Cup campaign so far. The 23-year-old is the talisman of Didier Deschamps’ attacking line with five goals in as many games. He has also provided two assists during 387 minutes.
Deschamps has only opted against starting Mbappe in France’s 1-0 defeat to Tunisia after making nine changes to his line-up. He also did so in Les Bleus’ final group stage game four years ago in Russia. Mbappe opened six of their seven matches en route to lifting the title.
Netting four goals over seven games also saw Mbappe share the Silver Boot at Russia 2018 behind Harry Kane’s six. A Golden Boot could also now feature in Mbappe’s future at Qatar 2022. So, the 22nd World Cup may be a trophy-laden tournament for the France talisman.
Morocco will want to stop Mbappe from adding a 10th goal to his World Cup record when they face France in the semi-finals of Qatar 2022 on Wednesday, December 14. But ahead of the game, HITC Football runs through each of his nine strikes on the FIFA stage to date…
Kylian Mbappe’s first World Cup goal secured France a 1-0 win over Peru
Mbappe scored his first goal at a World Cup to secure France a 1-0 win over Peru at Russia 2018. Australia had held the Paris Saint-Germain star at bay in their opening tie but lost 2-1 to Deschamps’ side. Mbappe then got off the mark with a tap-in to edge La Blanquirroja.
The forward followed in Olivier Giroud’s shot to settle the Group C meeting before falling to the bench against Denmark. Deschamps’ decision to rest the attacker would pay off in the Round of 16, though. Mbappe returned to their XI and scored twice against Argentina.
Antoine Griezmann and Benjamin Pavard had already scored for France either side of goals by Angel Di Maria and Gabriel Mercado. But Mbappe’s quick-fire brace with goals after 64 and 68 minutes secured their win. Sergio Aguero pulled one back for Argentina in the 93rd.
Mbappe had also won the penalty Griezmann converted to break the deadlock in the 13th minute. It was the only goal France scored at Russia 2018 he earned an assist for creating.
Kylian Mbappe joined Pele in the FIFA history books at Russia 2018
History then awaited the winger in the final against Croatia after Mbappe failed to score in the quarter or semi-final with Uruguay and Belgium. In netting France’s fourth goal in a 4-2 win, Mbappe became the youngest player to score in a World Cup final since Pele in 1958.
It was a goal that emphasised a 19-year-old Mbappe’s class as he found the bottom corner from almost 30 yards out. The winger received possession with three Croatia defenders to beat. But rather than take them on, he rifled the ball in before Danijel Subasic could react.
Australia would not keep Kylian Mbappe from scoring again at Qatar 2022
Australia would not keep Mbappe from getting a goal in France’s first match at successive World Cups come Qatar 2022. The Socceroos again met Les Bleus to kick off their run after meeting at Russia 2018. But the tie saw Mbappe cause endless issues in an early warning.
He was a constant threat from the left channel and probed central positions whenever the ball hit the right wing. Mbappe would eventually end the tie with one goal after heading in Ousmane Dembele’s cross. He also delivered the cross for Giroud to settle their 4-1 result.
Denmark then fell victim to Mbappe’s second World Cup brace after his two goals against Argentina at Russia 2018. He flashed the ball home on 61 and 86 minutes for a 2-1 win and a place in the Round of 16. Andreas Christensen responded for Denmark after 68 minutes.
Kylian Mbappe showed his class with two different strikes against Poland
Poland also fell victim to the forward Mbappe has become since the 2018 World Cup when they met in the last 16. The forward paved the way for Les Bleus to reach the quarter-final with two goals and an assist. He passed to Giroud to break the deadlock after 44 minutes.
Each of his goals showed different parts of Mbappe’s ability at the top of the pitch. He first flashed the ball past Wojciech Szczesny with a fierce drive from 16 yards. Then Mbappe hit home with a glorious curled finish in injury time before Robert Lewandowski’s late penalty.
Now, Mbappe will be keen to avoid going two World Cup ties without a goal after failing to net against England. He flickered in and out of the quarter-final as Les Bleus beat the Three Lions 2-1. Kyle Walker man-marked France’s talisman throughout their Al Bayt Stadium tie.
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