Kylian Mbappé scores two goals to reach 16 in World Cup career, tying for second most 

[AP Photo]

Mbappé is coming for Messi.

Kylian Mbappé of France scored two goals yesterday (Macau time) to reach 16 for his World Cup career, moving into a tie for second most in tournament history as he tries to keep pace with new record holder Lionel Messi.

“If I want to keep up with what Leo is doing,” Mbappé said after France beat Iraq 3-0 to reach the knockout stage, “I’ll have to do even more.”

France is counting on it as Mbappé tries to lead Les Bleus to their second World Cup title in the last three tournaments. Mbappé would consider it a bonus if he could win it all and pass Messi for the World Cup goals record.

The 27-year-old Mbappé is 11 years younger than Messi and should have at least two or three more World Cups to secure the record — at least until the next young superstar comes around to challenge him.

“He’s here to score goals and that’s something he’s been doing,” France coach Didier Deschamps said. “He’s somebody that has a worldwide aura.”

Playing in his third World Cup, Mbappé scored in the 14th minute against Iraq, giving Les Bleus a 1-0 lead in his 100th international game. After a weather delay that extended the halftime break to more than two hours, Mbappé found the net again in the 54th minute to move into a tie with Miroslav Klose of Germany, who had the goals record before this high-scoring World Cup began.

Messi scored twice for Argentina earlier Monday to set the tournament record at 18. He had equaled Klose with his first World Cup hat trick in Argentina’s 3-0 win over Algeria last Tuesday night in Kansas City, Missouri. DAN GELSTON, PHILADELPHIA, MDT/AP