India, July 10 -- Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi are having their own little contest in the midst of a World Cup that is heading to the business end. Right down to superb goals after soft penalties. Messi did that in the escape from Egypt, Mbappe followed against Morocco on Thursday. Both have eight goals in this edition though Mbappe has played one match more. Overall, Messi has 21, Mbappe 20 in as many World Cup matches. Twelve of them, including the one in Boston that took France to the semi-final, have come in knockout games.

Mbappe then turned provider for Ousmane Dembele as France carved out space in the middle and in six second-half minutes, they had settled the first quarter-final. Demeble and the Boston pitch have been like Rohi...