Mbappé equals Klose’s World Cup goal record

France captain Kylian Mbappé has drawn level with German legend Miroslav Klose on the FIFA World Cup all-time scoring chart, netting his 16th World Cup goal during France’s Group I clash against Iraq.

The milestone came in the 54th minute of the match when Mbappé capitalised on a costly defensive mistake by Iraq to score his second goal of the night and double France’s lead.

Iraq's Ahmed Qasem played an overhit back-pass that goalkeeper Ahmed Basil failed to control under pressure. Ousmane Dembélé quickly seized possession and unselfishly squared the ball to Mbappé, who calmly slotted into an open net to make it 2-0 for the French side.

The goal took Mbappé’s World Cup tally to 16, matching the record previously held by former Germany striker Miroslav Klose as the tournament’s second-highest scorer. Only Argentine superstar Lionel Messi now stands ahead of him with 18 World Cup goals.

Still only 27, the French forward has already established himself among the greatest scorers in tournament history and is now just two goals away from equalling Messi’s all-time record.