Kylian Mbappe's 2022 World Cup Masterclass Redefines the Art of Finishing

When fans around the world tune into the World Cup, they rush to their television screens hoping to witness one thing: goals.

The purest measure of success at soccer's most prestigious competition, the tournament has been defined by unforgettable strikes over the past hundred years, whether thunderous long-range efforts or decisive goals in the final itself.

The fact that the world's greatest center forwards have consistently competed at the tournament has guaranteed a wealth of outstanding efforts every four years, with the coveted golden trophy often lifted by the nation possessing the most lethal striker in the game.

Just Fontaine still holds the record for most goals at a single tournament, netting an extraordinary 13 times across just six matches in 1958, but it is his fellow Frenchman Kylian Mbappé who has produced the competition's most clinical display of the modern era.

Here is a closer look at the greatest finishing performance in World Cup history.

Background

Mbappé became the sixth-youngest World Cup winner when he helped propel France to its second title in 2018. Four goals throughout the tournament, including one in the final triumph over Croatia, cemented the forward's place in the record books and ensured Les Bleus entered the Qatar World Cup in 2022 as the heavy favorites for the title.

Driven to become only the third team in history to successfully defend the World Cup, a star-laden squad arrived in Qatar for the first-ever winter edition of the tournament, with Mbappé serving as the focal point of Didier Deschamps's side.

The 2022 tournament took place mid-season, and Mbappé had enjoyed a superb goalscoring run at Paris Saint-Germain heading into it. Nineteen goals before club football's break meant he arrived in the Middle East full of confidence, carrying the weight of enormous expectations from his home nation.

The French forward was surrounded by exceptional attacking talent, including Antoine Griezmann, Olivier Giroud, Ousmane Dembélé and Karim Benzema, but this was Mbappé's tournament—and he rose magnificently to the occasion for his country.

France's Record at 2022 World Cup

Mbappé Powers France to the Final

The @adidas Golden Boot Award goes to Kylian Mbappe! 👏#Qatar2022's top goalscorer 📊

France wasted no time in their title defense in Qatar, and it took Mbappé just 68 minutes to get on the scoresheet. With Les Bleus holding a narrow lead over Australia, the striker produced an unlikely header that glanced off the inside of the post to seal an opening-match victory.

Drifting between center backs and attacking crosses is not typically considered one of Mbappé's primary strengths, but his second goal of the tournament was far more in keeping with his style. After charging down the left flank, the forward laid the ball off to Theo Hernández on the overlap before continuing his run into the box. Set up by his teammate from 10 yards, Mbappé tapped home.

The slick one-two gave France the lead in its second group stage match against Denmark, but the Scandinavians quickly leveled. Fortunately, Mbappé was there to deliver the winning goal in the 86th minute, demonstrating his poacher's instincts by bundling Griezmann's cross home at the far post with his upper thigh.

After back-to-back wins secured France's passage to the knockout rounds, Mbappé was rested for a surprise 1–0 loss to Tunisia, but he returned swiftly to cause chaos in the round of 16. Scoring twice in a 3–1 win over Poland, Mbappé took his tournament tally to five in impressive fashion.

🥳 Kylian Mbappe 🥳

Happy birthday to the 2022 adidas Golden Boot winner 🎁 #FIFAWorldCup

Both goals were of the highest caliber. The first saw Mbappé receive the ball just inside the penalty area at the end of a rapid counter-attack, shape to curl into the far corner, then hammer it into the roof of the net at the near post. The second was equally precise in its execution, though France's No.10 opted to cut inside and bend the ball into the far top corner instead.

France progressed past England in the quarterfinals and Morocco in the semifinals without relying on Mbappé's goals, but he returned to his brilliant best in the showpiece final against Lionel Messi's Argentina.

A Hat Trick in Vain

The 2022 World Cup final was billed as a Messi vs. Mbappé showdown, and that is precisely what unfolded. The PSG teammates went head-to-head as each sought to single-handedly carry their nation to glory.

Mbappé became only the second player to score a hat trick in a World Cup final, following in the footsteps of England's 1966 hero Geoff Hurst. However, his first goal of the match did not arrive until the 80th minute, with Les Bleus already two goals down, as Mbappé calmly slotted a penalty past Emiliano Martínez to keep French hopes alive.

Those hopes were transformed into reality just a minute later as Mbappé drew France level in stunning fashion. "An awesome force of nature" was how commentator Peter Drury described the forward after he volleyed home the equalizer, lashing Marcus Thuram's pass into the bottom corner first time. A breathtaking finish from a tight angle.

Mbappé's thunderbolt had sent the game to extra time, but Messi's penalty in the additional period threatened to end the contest. Yet France refused to surrender. A spot kick at the opposite end in the 118th minute was coolly converted by Mbappé despite the immense pressure, sending the match to a penalty shootout.

95 days until #FIFAWorldCup 2026.

Kylian Mbappé completely changed the 2022 Final in 95 seconds ⏰🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/D9KFp7DWpX

Naturally, Mbappé stepped up first for France and fired home his third penalty of the night. Unfortunately for Les Bleus, Kingsley Coman and Aurélien Tchouaméni were not as composed, missing from 12 yards as Argentina converted all four of their kicks to claim a first World Cup title since 1986.

Ultimately, Mbappé's brilliance went unrewarded, yet his performance will be remembered long in the history books regardless of the final result. Not only did the French icon inspire greatness in the final itself, his devastating displays in the earlier rounds earned him the tournament's Golden Boot for the very first time.

Mbappé ended the competition with eight goals, overtaking Messi's seven with his hat trick in the final, and delivered the ultimate finishing performance on the biggest stage of all.

Mbappé showcased every quality required of the truly elite striker: confidence, technique and the ability to be in the right place at the right moment. His pace and sheer determination to succeed made him a near-unstoppable force throughout.

One clear positive for neutral observers is that he appears more determined than ever to win the next World Cup, so fans can only hope to see much more of his extraordinary finishing on display in North America.

Mbappé's Record at 2022 World Cup