Mbappé follows Messi's path: Curious parallels at the 2026 World Cup

Kylian Mbappé's performance in the World Cup quarter-finals against Morocco mirrored a scenario Lionel Messi experienced just days earlier against Egypt. Both global icons faced the pressure of a missed penalty early in their respective matches, only to respond with the composure and brilliance required to secure victory.

During the clash against Morocco, Mbappé saw his spot-kick saved by goalkeeper Bono in the first half. The French star had complained to the referee about the delay before the kick, which he felt disrupted his rhythm. However, he returned after the interval with a clinical response, finding the back of the net with a precise finish to break the deadlock and set France on their way to a 2:0 win.

This sequence was remarkably similar to Messi's recent outing. The Argentine captain also faltered from the penalty spot early in his match against Egypt but eventually decided the contest with a spectacular goal, contributing to Argentina's 3:2 success.

These storylines highlight the resilience of both players as they continue to chase not only the trophy but also historical goal-scoring records. Messi currently leads with 21 World Cup goals, while Mbappé follows closely with 20. With both teams still in the competition, fans are fueling hopes of a repeat of the 2022 final, which would see the two stars face off once again on the grandest stage.