The new Pele? Mbappe matches Brazil great's 60-year-old World Cup record

Already France's youngest goalscorer at a major tournament, PSG star Kylian Mbappe continues to make World Cup history at Russia 2018.

Published : Jun 30, 2018 21:46 IST

Although Mbappe is two years older than Pele, the France star has announced himself as a star of the present - as well as the future.
Although Mbappe is two years older than Pele, the France star has announced himself as a star of the present - as well as the future.
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Although Mbappe is two years older than Pele, the France star has announced himself as a star of the present - as well as the future.

Kylian Mbappe has added to his burgeoning reputation by matching a 60-year-old World Cup record held by Pele.

The France star struck twice in a thrilling 4-3 last-16 defeat of Argentina to send Les Bleus into the quarterfinals, becoming the first teenager to score more than once in a World Cup game since 1958.

Mbappe became the youngest goalscorer for France at a major tournament when he scored a close-range winner to down Peru in Russia 2018's group stage.

But the Paris Saint-Germain forward, the second-most expensive player in history behind team-mate Neymar, went one better as France beat Argentina in Kazan.

The scores were level at 2-2 when Mbappe seized on a loose ball in the box, skipped into space and thumped a low drive through goalkeeper Franco Armani.

And within four minutes Mbappe struck again, racing on to an Olivier Giroud pass to slot a neat finish past Armani to set up a last-eight meeting with either Portugal or Uruguay.

Pele remains the youngest player to have scored at least twice in a World Cup match, the Brazil legend hitting a double against Sweden in the 1958 final at the age of 17.

Although Mbappe is two years older than Pele, the France star has announced himself as a star of the present - as well as the future.

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