Only four players in 60 years! Kylian Mbappe joined Lionel Messi in a rare World Cup feat

Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe (AP photo) NEW DELHI: Kylian Mbappe joined Lionel Messi in an exclusive World Cup club after producing a remarkable all-round display as France beat Morocco 2-0 in the quarter-finals on Thursday. The France forward missed a first-half penalty but bounced back with a goal and an assist as Les Bleus booked their place in the FIFA World Cup semi-finals, where they will face either Spain or Belgium.With his performance, Mbappe achieved a feat that has only been seen four times in the last 60 years. Only four times in the last 60 years has a player scored, assisted and missed a penalty in a World Cup match. Two of those came in the last three days – Lionel Messi against Egypt and Kylian Mbappe against Morocco.The rare feat was first accomplished by Ghana’s Asamoah Gyan against the Czech Republic at the 2006 World Cup. Karim Benzema then became the second player to do so in France’s 5-2 win over Switzerland in 2014.

Mbappe recovers from a penalty miss

Mbappe looked set to give France an early lead after he was brought down in the penalty area by Morocco defender Noussair Mazraoui in the 25th minute.However, the French star saw his penalty saved by goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, who guessed the right way, after a lengthy VAR review. Miss slowed him down just a little.Mbappe set up his eighth goal of the 2026 World Cup and 20th career World Cup goal in the 60th minute. Just six minutes later he set up Ousmane Dembele whose finish doubled France’s lead.

More records for Mbappe

Mbappe’s latest display continued his excellent World Cup record.It was the third time he scored and assisted in the same World Cup match. Only Lionel Messi has done it more often in the last 60 years with five such matches.The 27-year-old also became the first player since 1966 to record 10 or more assists at two different World Cups. He contributed 10 goals in 2022 and now has 11 in the 2026 edition.His 20th World Cup goal also moved him within one strike of Messi’s 21st.The victory sent Les Bleus into the World Cup semi-finals for the third consecutive tournament (2018, 2022 and 2026). They became only the third nation to achieve this, after Germany and Brazil.It was also France’s eighth World Cup semi-final appearance, tied with Brazil for the second most in tournament history. Only Germany has reached the last four more often with 12 semi-final appearances.France will now look to continue their title defense when they face either Spain or Belgium for a place in the World Cup finals.