Kylian Mbappe surpasses French icon to edge closer to national goalscoring record

Ziyad Jamal

Kylian Mbappe surpasses French icon to edge closer to national goalscoring record image

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Kylian Mbappe moved up to second in the all-time goalscoring list for the France national side after scoring against Iceland on Tuesday (September 9).

The France skipper scored from the penalty spot early on in the second half to pull his side level, after Andri Guojohnsen gave the visitors the lead in the 21st minute of the World Cup qualifier.

Bradley Barcola completed the turnaround just after the hour mark in Paris to hand Didier Deschamps' men two wins from two in qualifying.

Mbappe's goal was the 52nd he netted for his country, which saw him overtake France legend and 1998 World Cup winner Thierry Henry.

The Real Madrid star's latest achievement is impressive considering he has reached his current goal tally in just 92 international games. 

His most memorable goals for France include the four he scored in Les Bleus' triumphant 2018 World Cup campaign.

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Kylian Mbappe of France at Euro 2024
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How many goals does Mbappe need to become France's all-time top goalscorer?

Olivier Giroud currently sits as France's all-time leading goalscorer with 57 goals, meaning Mbappe needs just the six goals to claim the record.

Giroud retired from international football after Euro 2024, so Mbappe does not have to worry about the existing record getting further out of his reach.

With Mbappe still being just 26 and scoring at an impressive rate for his country, it is only a matter of time before the Real Madrid forward surpasses Giroud and becomes Les Bleus' all-time leading scorer.

After he inevitably achieves the feat, he is likely to distance himself from the previous record-setters and finish with a tally that will be very hard for future French players to surpass.

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Ziyad Jamal

Ziyad Jamal contributes to Sporting News - UK Wires as a freelance writer focusing on all sports. He has written for sites including GiveMeSport, Planet Sport and IBTimes UK. He graduated with a degree in BA (Hons) Football Business and Media at UCFB Wembley in 2021.