Kylian Mbappé has scored 12 goals in 14 World Cup matches across two tournaments, establishing himself among football’s elite at just 23 years old.
The French forward won the 2018 World Cup at 19, scoring four goals and earning the Best Young Player award.
Four years later, he claimed the 2022 Golden Boot with eight goals, including a historic hat-trick in the final against Argentina.
His four World Cup final goals represent an all-time record. Only Geoff Hurst had previously scored a hat-trick in a final, back in 1966.
Mbappé became the youngest French player to score at a World Cup and now sits tied with Pelé at 12 career goals, a total that surpasses legends like Thierry Henry and Zinedine Zidane combined.
This breakdown covers both tournaments, finals performance, complete statistics, and the records that separate Mbappé from his generation.
2018 FIFA World Cup: Breakthrough at 19
France entered the 2018 tournament in Russia with championship aspirations, and the teenage Mbappé delivered when it mattered most.
His first World Cup goal came against Peru in the group stage, a low strike that made him the youngest French scorer in tournament history at 19 years old. France won 1-0, securing their place in the knockout rounds.
The round of 16 against Argentina produced one of the tournament’s defining performances. Mbappé won a penalty in the 4-3 thriller, then scored twice himself in a devastating display of pace and finishing.
At 19, he became only the second teenager after Pelé to score two goals in a single World Cup match. Man of the match honors confirmed what the world was watching: a generational talent had arrived.
In the final against Croatia, Mbappé found the net in the 65th minute, helping France to a 4-2 victory.
The goal made him the second-youngest player to score in a World Cup final, again trailing only Pelé’s 1958 achievement.
Over seven matches, Mbappé tallied four goals with zero assists, earning the tournament’s Best Young Player award as France lifted their second World Cup trophy.
| Match | Opponent | Stage | Goals | Result |
| June 21 | Peru | Group C | 1 | 1-0 W |
| June 30 | Argentina | Round of 16 | 2 | 4-3 W |
| July 15 | Croatia | Final | 1 | 4-2 W |
The 0.57 goals-per-match average would nearly double four years later.
2022 FIFA World Cup: Golden Boot Glory
Mbappé returned to the World Cup as France’s undisputed star, and his numbers reflected the increased responsibility.
France opened with a 4-1 demolition of Australia, Mbappé contributing the third goal. Against Denmark, he scored twice in a 2-1 win that sealed qualification from the group stage. Those performances put him atop the Golden Boot race early.
The round of 16 brought Poland and another brace from the PSG forward. One strike, a long-range effort that found the top corner, showcased technical growth beyond pure speed. France advanced 3-1, and Mbappé had five tournament goals.
He stayed relatively quiet through the quarterfinal against England and semifinal versus Morocco as teammates stepped up. France won both, 2-1 and 2-0 respectively, reaching a second consecutive final.
The final against Argentina would produce three Mbappé goals in a losing effort, discussed in detail below. His tournament total reached eight goals in seven matches, good for the Golden Boot and Silver Ball (second-best player) awards.
| Match | Opponent | Stage | Goals | Result |
| Nov 22 | Australia | Group D | 1 | 4-1 W |
| Nov 26 | Denmark | Group D | 2 | 2-1 W |
| Dec 4 | Poland | Round of 16 | 2 | 3-1 W |
| Dec 18 | Argentina | Final | 3 | 3-3 (L, pens) |
The 1.14 goals-per-match average ranks among the best in modern World Cup history. Eight goals in a single tournament equals Ronaldo’s 2002 total and trails only Just Fontaine’s legendary 13-goal performance in 1958.
World Cup Finals Performance: Historic Achievement
Mbappé’s finals record separates him from every player in World Cup history.
The 2018 final saw a composed 19-year-old finish past Croatian keeper Danijel Subašić in the 65th minute.
France led 4-1 at that point and would close out a 4-2 victory, but the goal itself carried historical weight as Mbappé joined Pelé as the only teenagers to score in a final.
Four years later in Qatar, the 2022 final produced something unprecedented.
Argentina dominated the first 80 minutes, building a 2-0 lead through Lionel Messi’s penalty and Ángel Di María’s clinical finish. France looked finished. Then Mbappé took over.
An 80th-minute penalty cut the deficit to 2-1. Just 97 seconds later, Mbappé’s right-footed volley from the edge of the box leveled the match at 2-2, sending the final to extra time.
Messi scored again in the 109th minute, restoring Argentina’s lead at 3-2. With less than two minutes remaining in the 118th, Mbappé earned and converted another penalty after a handball, completing his hat-trick and forcing a shootout at 3-3.
France lost the penalty shootout 4-2, but Mbappé’s individual performance etched his name into the record books.
He became only the second player ever to score a hat-trick in a World Cup final, 56 years after Geoff Hurst’s 1966 achievement for England.
| Final | Year | Opponent | Goals | Minutes | Result |
| 2018 | July 15 | Croatia | 1 | 65′ | 4-2 W |
| 2022 | Dec 18 | Argentina | 3 | 80′, 81′, 118′ | 3-3 (L, pens) |
Four goals across two finals surpasses the three scored by Pelé, Vavá, Geoff Hurst, and Zinedine Zidane. No player in 92 years of World Cup history has matched this finals scoring record.
Mbappé joins an elite group who scored in multiple finals: Pelé (1958, 1970), Vavá (1958, 1962), Paul Breitner (1974, 1982), Zidane (1998, 2006), and now Mbappé (2018, 2022).
Career World Cup Statistics
Two tournaments, 14 matches, 12 goals. The numbers reveal accelerating production and historical company.
| Tournament | Matches | Goals | Assists | Goals per Match |
| 2018 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 0.57 |
| 2022 | 7 | 8 | 2 | 1.14 |
| Total | 14 | 12 | 2 | 0.86 |
Breaking down Mbappé’s 12 goals by stage shows consistent production throughout both tournaments.
Six came in group stages, four in the round of 16, and two in finals (though this undercounts his four total final goals across both tournaments).
The comparative context matters. At 23 years and 363 days, Mbappé became the youngest player to reach 10 World Cup goals, breaking Gerd Müller’s record (24 years, 226 days).
Pelé scored his 12th World Cup goal at 29 years old. Cristiano Ronaldo finished his World Cup career with eight goals total.
Among French players, Mbappé already owns more World Cup goals than Thierry Henry (six) and Zinedine Zidane (five).
Only Olivier Giroud and Just Fontaine have scored more for France in World Cup play.
On the all-time list, Mbappé sits tied for sixth with Pelé at 12 goals. Above them: Miroslav Klose (16), Ronaldo (15), Gerd Müller (14), and Just Fontaine (13).
Most of those players needed three or four tournaments to accumulate their totals. Mbappé reached 12 in just two.
Records and Milestones
Age Records:
- Youngest French World Cup scorer (19 years old, 2018 vs Peru)
- Second teenager to score in World Cup final, after Pelé in 1958
- Youngest player to reach 10 World Cup goals (23 years, 363 days)
- Second teenager to score twice in a World Cup match, after Pelé vs France in 1958
Finals Records:
- Most goals in World Cup finals history (4 total across 2018 and 2022)
- Second player to score hat-trick in final (after Geoff Hurst, 1966)
- One of five players to score in two World Cup finals
Tournament Awards:
- 2022 Golden Boot winner (8 goals, most since Ronaldo in 2002)
- 2022 Silver Ball (second-best player)
- 2018 Best Young Player award
- Named to 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cup Dream Teams
Comparative Achievements:
- Matched Pelé’s career World Cup total (12 goals) at a younger age
- Surpassed Ronaldo’s career total (8 goals) by age 23
- More World Cup goals than Thierry Henry (6) and Zinedine Zidane (5) combined
- Tied for sixth all-time despite playing just two tournaments
The progression from 2018 to 2022 shows a player peaking during World Cup years. Four goals as a teenager supporting Antoine Griezmann’s attack became eight goals as the focal point four years later.
If France qualifies for the 2026 World Cup in North America, Mbappé will be 27 years old and potentially chasing Klose’s all-time record of 16 goals.
FAQs
How many World Cup goals has Kylian Mbappé scored?
Mbappé has scored 12 World Cup goals across 14 matches in two tournaments. He netted four goals during France’s 2018 championship run and eight goals in 2022, winning the Golden Boot despite France losing the final on penalties.
Did Mbappé win the Golden Boot in 2022?
Yes, Mbappé won the 2022 Golden Boot with eight goals, one ahead of Lionel Messi’s seven. His hat-trick in the final against Argentina secured the award, making him the highest scorer since Ronaldo’s eight goals in 2002.
How old was Mbappé when he scored in the 2018 World Cup final?
Mbappé was 19 years old when he scored in the 2018 final against Croatia. The goal made him the second-youngest player to score in a World Cup final, after Pelé in 1958 at age 17.
Who has scored more World Cup goals: Mbappé or Ronaldo?
Mbappé has scored 12 World Cup goals, surpassing Cristiano Ronaldo’s career total of eight. Mbappé reached this mark at age 23, while Ronaldo played in five World Cups across 16 years.
What is Mbappé’s record in World Cup finals?
Mbappé has scored four goals across two World Cup finals, an all-time record. He scored once in France’s 4-2 win over Croatia in 2018, then netted a hat-trick in the 3-3 draw with Argentina in 2022 (lost on penalties).
How many World Cup hat-tricks has Mbappé scored?
Mbappé has scored one World Cup hat-trick, in the 2022 final against Argentina. He became only the second player to achieve this feat in a final, 56 years after Geoff Hurst did so for England in 1966.
Did Mbappé win the World Cup in 2022?
No, France lost the 2022 final to Argentina 4-2 on penalties after a 3-3 draw. Despite Mbappé’s hat-trick and Golden Boot performance, Argentina claimed their third World Cup title.
How does Mbappé’s World Cup record compare to Pelé?
Both players have scored 12 World Cup goals, but Mbappé reached this total at age 23 while Pelé was 29 when he scored his 12th. Mbappé has four finals goals to Pelé’s three, though Pelé won three World Cups to Mbappé’s one.
What awards did Mbappé win at the World Cup?
Mbappé won the 2018 Best Young Player award and the 2022 Golden Boot (top scorer) and Silver Ball (second-best player). He was named to the Dream Team in both 2018 and 2022.
How many World Cups has Mbappé played in?
Mbappé has played in two World Cups: 2018 in Russia (winner) and 2022 in Qatar (runner-up). He appeared in seven matches in each tournament for 14 total World Cup matches.
What is Mbappé’s goals-per-game ratio at World Cups?
Mbappé averages 0.86 goals per match across his World Cup career. His rate improved from 0.57 per match in 2018 to 1.14 per match in 2022, among the best single-tournament ratios in modern World Cup history.
Who scored the hat-trick in the 2022 World Cup final?
Kylian Mbappé scored a hat-trick in the 2022 final, netting in the 80th minute (penalty), 81st minute (volley), and 118th minute (penalty) to force a 3-3 draw. Argentina won the subsequent penalty shootout 4-2.
