India, July 10 -- Kylian Mbappe left Morocco behind with another collection of almost absurd numbers. His goal in France's 2-0 quarter-final victory took him to eight at the 2026 World Cup, matching his tally from Qatar four years ago. He became the first player to score at least eight goals in two separate editions, reached 20 World Cup goals in 20 appearances and moved to 11 direct involvements at this tournament - eight goals and three assists, the highest single-edition total since Gerd Muller in 1970.

Yet Mbappe had hardly endured a poor season at Real Madrid: 42 goals in 44 matches, the Pichichi with 25 league goals and another Champions League Golden Boot with 15. The contrast is not between an ineffective club forward and an irre...