Kylian Mbappe is rewriting history for France and Real Madrid. The 26-year-old forward struck the decisive goal in France’s 2–0 World Cup qualifying win over Ukraine on Friday night, drawing level with Thierry Henry in the all-time scoring charts for Les Bleus.
Mbappe, who endured a difficult summer after being hospitalised with gastroenteritis during the Club World Cup, looks sharper and fitter than ever. Already with three goals in three games for Real Madrid this season plus two disallowed by VAR and the French captain is proving unstoppable in front of goal.
Madrid manager Xabi Alonso recently praised Mbappé’s relentless drive, saying: “You can see that Kylian wants to do even more after this first year where he did great things. He wants to improve individual and collective performance and inspire his teammates.”
That hunger was on full display in Wrocław. After Michael Olise opened the scoring, Mbappe sealed the victory with a trademark finish. Chasing down a 70-yard pass from Aurélien Tchouaméni, he left Ukraine defender Illia Zabarnyi spinning before calmly slotting the ball into the bottom corner.
Spanish media have described Mbappé’s mindset as being in “killer mode,” likening his single-minded pursuit of goals to Cristiano Ronaldo’s iconic years in Madrid. Yet even after equalling Henry’s milestone, the forward admitted he wasn’t fully satisfied.
“We could have scored more,” Mbappe said. “I, myself, missed a few, so there is room for improvement.”
With his current form, France’s No. 10 looks destined to surpass Henry and set his sights on Olivier Giroud’s all-time record cementing his place among the game’s greats.
