Mbappe Scores in France Win - but Is He Europe's Best Striker?

Kylian Mbappe scored for the 10th successive game for club and country as France continued their winning start to World Cup 2026 qualifying.

The Real Madrid forward scored his 53rd international goal in first-half injury-time, dancing through Azerbaijan’s defence and placing a shot into the bottom right-hand corner.

It was Mbappe’s 17th strike of the season, and he has scored in all but one of his 13 appearances for France and Real Madrid this term.

The 26-year-old turned provider in the second half, crossing for AC Milan midfielder Adrien Rabiot to head in France’s 69th-minute second.

Mbappe who was a doubt for Friday’s match with an ankle problem, signalled to come off with eight minutes remaining.

He was replaced by Lens’ former Newcastle United midfielder Florian Thauvin, who last appeared for his country in 2019 and rounded off the victory on his return to the squad with a fine left-footed effort.

The night, though, belonged to Mbappe.

Named France’s captain in 2023, the forward has enjoyed the most prolific start to a season in his career.

But while Mbappe is arguably Europe’s most in-form player, he still trails rivals Erling Haaland and Harry Kane in the scoring charts.

Manchester City and Norway frontman Haaland has netted 18 goals in 11 appearances, while Kane’s record is even better with 18 in 10 for Bayern Munich and England.

The pair have also matched Mbappe’s feat in scoring in all but one of the matches they have played this season.

Haaland scored five in Norway’s 11-1 victory against Moldova in September, helping him top the scoring charts in European qualification for the 2026 World Cup with nine goals.

England skipper Kane has netted 11 times in six Bundesliga matches, putting him well clear of second-placed Luis Diaz as the leading scorer in Germany.

But Mbappe leads the Champions League scoring charts, with the Frenchman on five goals in two appearances.

Kane has four, while Haaland is joint-third in the list with three to his name.

Credit: www.bbc.com