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FOXBOROUGH — Kylian Mbappé isn't giving any ground.
The Golden Boot awarded to the top goal-scorer in the World Cup seems to fit the France national team striker again.
Although he has competition.
Lionel Messi has scored in each of Argentina's five matches to command a one-goal lead (8) on Mbappé in the hunt entering France's quarterfinal matchup vs. Morocco at Boston Stadium on Thursday, July 9.
Mbappé matched Messi's total by scoring the deciding goal in the 60th minute as France prevailed, 2-0, to advance to the semifinal. The Real Madrid star also doled out an assist in the victory.
France will face the winner of Spain and Belgium next in Los Angeles on July 13 at 3 p.m.
"There's so much joy to play with Kylian Mbappé," France forward Ousman Dembélé said to FOX Sports, as translated by reporter Jenny Taft. "Of course he's the captain, as well. You make it easy on each other. You support each other, but it's not just for you. It's for every player on this team."
Although they are currently tied in goals, Mbappé has the edge in Messi in assists (3-1). A red-hot quarterfinal sequence by Norway's Erling Haaland (7 goals, 0 assists) and/or England's Harry Kane (6 goals, 1 assist) would further tighten the race.
If won, this year's Golden Boot would be the second secured by Mbappé. He netted eight in France's seven-match run to the 2022 World Cup final against Messi's Argentina squad, which Les Bleu was defeated in a penalty-kick shootout after Mbappé posted a hat trick. At the time, he was 23 years old and playing in his second World Cup.
He now stands at 20 career World Cup goals.
"Kylian as a captain is great on or off the pitch," France manager Didier Deschamps said. "He's a role model."
Mbappé was awarded a penalty kick in the 28th minute of France's win over Morocco.
After a long break in the action leading up to the kick, Mbappé stuttered his feet and fired. Morocco keeper Yassine Bounou guessed correct and dove left, swiping the shot with two-hand stop. Mbappé earned the penalty in transition when Morocco defender Noussair Mazraoui brought him down in the box.
The match remained scoreless for the remainder of the half, until Mbappé struck with the go-ahead goal in the 60th minute.
"VAR review on the penalty. Another VAR review on the foul," Deschamps said, explaining the delay. "It took a while. Kylian was ready to shoot. Don’t want to find excuses for Kylian, but it was not an easy situation."
Mbappé was subbed out after stumbling to the pitch in the 78th minute.
Group Stage vs. Senegal (3-1 win) — 2 goals, 0 assists
Group Stage vs. Iraq (3-0 win) — 2 goals, 0 assists
Group Stage vs. Norway (4-1 win) — 0 goals, 2 assists
Round of 32 vs. Sweden (3-0 win) — 2 goals, 0 assists
Round of 16 vs. Paraguay (1-0 win) — 1 goal, 0 assists
Quarterfinal vs. Morocco (2-0 win) — 1 goal, 1 assist
This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Mbappé, Messi or field? France star keeps pushing in Golden Boot race
Continue reading...
The Golden Boot awarded to the top goal-scorer in the World Cup seems to fit the France national team striker again.
Although he has competition.
Lionel Messi has scored in each of Argentina's five matches to command a one-goal lead (8) on Mbappé in the hunt entering France's quarterfinal matchup vs. Morocco at Boston Stadium on Thursday, July 9.
Mbappé matched Messi's total by scoring the deciding goal in the 60th minute as France prevailed, 2-0, to advance to the semifinal. The Real Madrid star also doled out an assist in the victory.
France will face the winner of Spain and Belgium next in Los Angeles on July 13 at 3 p.m.
"There's so much joy to play with Kylian Mbappé," France forward Ousman Dembélé said to FOX Sports, as translated by reporter Jenny Taft. "Of course he's the captain, as well. You make it easy on each other. You support each other, but it's not just for you. It's for every player on this team."
Although they are currently tied in goals, Mbappé has the edge in Messi in assists (3-1). A red-hot quarterfinal sequence by Norway's Erling Haaland (7 goals, 0 assists) and/or England's Harry Kane (6 goals, 1 assist) would further tighten the race.
If won, this year's Golden Boot would be the second secured by Mbappé. He netted eight in France's seven-match run to the 2022 World Cup final against Messi's Argentina squad, which Les Bleu was defeated in a penalty-kick shootout after Mbappé posted a hat trick. At the time, he was 23 years old and playing in his second World Cup.
He now stands at 20 career World Cup goals.
"Kylian as a captain is great on or off the pitch," France manager Didier Deschamps said. "He's a role model."
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Mbappé had chance for Golden Boot lead
Mbappé was awarded a penalty kick in the 28th minute of France's win over Morocco.
After a long break in the action leading up to the kick, Mbappé stuttered his feet and fired. Morocco keeper Yassine Bounou guessed correct and dove left, swiping the shot with two-hand stop. Mbappé earned the penalty in transition when Morocco defender Noussair Mazraoui brought him down in the box.
The match remained scoreless for the remainder of the half, until Mbappé struck with the go-ahead goal in the 60th minute.
"VAR review on the penalty. Another VAR review on the foul," Deschamps said, explaining the delay. "It took a while. Kylian was ready to shoot. Don’t want to find excuses for Kylian, but it was not an easy situation."
Mbappé was subbed out after stumbling to the pitch in the 78th minute.
Kylian Mbappé World Cup stats
Group Stage vs. Senegal (3-1 win) — 2 goals, 0 assists
Group Stage vs. Iraq (3-0 win) — 2 goals, 0 assists
Group Stage vs. Norway (4-1 win) — 0 goals, 2 assists
Round of 32 vs. Sweden (3-0 win) — 2 goals, 0 assists
Round of 16 vs. Paraguay (1-0 win) — 1 goal, 0 assists
Quarterfinal vs. Morocco (2-0 win) — 1 goal, 1 assist
This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Mbappé, Messi or field? France star keeps pushing in Golden Boot race
Continue reading...
