Mbappé eclipses Ronaldo with ninth World Cup knockout goal

Kylian Mbappé's ninth World Cup knockout‑stage goal against Sweden in the round of 16 pushes him past Brazilian legends Ronaldo and Leônidas, who each scored eight at this stage. The French captain therefore claims the record for most knockout goals by a player in a single tournament.

The goal came in France's round‑of‑16 clash with Sweden, where Mbappé found the net once again, marking his ninth appearance on the scoresheet in World Cup knockout rounds. The encounter formed part of the tournament's knockout phase.

Ronaldo and Leônidas previously held the joint record with eight knockout‑stage goals each, a benchmark Mbappé now exceeds. Each of those legends had amassed eight goals in World Cup knockout rounds before Mbappé's latest strike.

Other icons such as Pelé and Just Fontaine remain on seven knockout goals, keeping them behind Mbappé's new total. Their tallies leave them two goals short of the Frenchman's record.

Mbappé continues to write his legend in the World Cup with this achievement. The milestone underscores his growing legacy on football’s biggest stage.

By reaching nine, Mbappé also moves ahead of other giants of world football. The French star now stands alone at the top of knockout‑stage scoring charts.