ARLINGTON, Texas — One of men’s soccer’s brightest global superstars will miss a shot at a third straight FIFA World Cup final appearance, even as he remains level at the top of the tournament’s Golden Boot race alongside Argentine icon Lionel Messi, four years after Mbappé claimed the top scorer honor in Qatar.
France’s star forward Kylian Mbappé was largely neutralized by Spain’s defensive structure throughout Tuesday’s semifinal clash, failing to convert clear chances as his side fell 2-0 to La Roja at AT&T Stadium. The defeat ends France’s 2024 World Cup title defense and eliminates any chance of Mbappé lifting the trophy for a second time in his career, after his 2018 win in Russia.
Heading into the match, Mbappé had already notched eight goals at the tournament, matching the total he scored during France’s run to the 2022 final in Qatar. That mark now leaves him tied with Messi, who will take the field Wednesday for Argentina’s second semifinal against England. The winner of that semifinal will face Spain in Sunday’s tournament final, to be held in East Rutherford, New Jersey, while France will play the loser of the Argentina-England clash in the third-place match this Saturday in Miami Gardens, Florida.
Statistically, Mbappé had one of the quietest opening halves of his World Cup campaign, registering only 15 touches — fewer than any other starting forward on the pitch. His most visible contribution in the first half came off the scoreboard, when he argued aggressively with referee Ivan Barton over the penalty call that gave Spain their opening goal.
The 27-year-old’s clearest scoring opportunity arrived in the 67th minute, when his shot deflected off Spanish defender Marc Cucurella and drifted just wide of the goal. By that point in the match, France was already down 2-0, leaving little time for a comeback. Mbappé picked up a yellow card in the 86th minute after charging as Spain goalkeeper Unai Simón bent to collect the ball, resulting in a hard collision that left Simón on the turf.
Mbappé’s path to this semifinal included a quarterfinal exit from the match against Morocco in the 77th minute, shortly after he scored his eighth goal of the tournament in France’s 2-0 win. Coincidentally, the eight goals he has so far in 2024 exactly matches the tally he recorded at the 2022 Qatar World Cup, where France fell to Messi-led Argentina in a dramatic penalty shootout in the final. Mbappé’s first World Cup title came in 2018, when France defeated Croatia to claim the crown in Russia.
As the tournament enters its final stretch, all eyes will remain on the Golden Boot race: only Messi, who is already a World Cup champion, stands between Mbappé and a second top scorer award.