Kylian Mbappé reached a historic milestone with his 50th international goal as France secured third place in the Nations League with a 2-0 win over Germany.
The 26-year-old’s first-half strike and a late assist capped a dominant performance, moving him closer to overtaking Thierry Henry and Olivier Giroud in France’s goal charts.
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Kylian Mbappé etched his name deeper into French football history on Sunday night after scoring his 50th international goal in France’s 2-0 win over Germany to secure third place in the UEFA Nations League.
The Real Madrid-bound forward struck just before halftime in Stuttgart to put France ahead in a tightly contested clash. His milestone moment makes him only the third player in Les Bleus history to reach 50 goals, bringing him within striking distance of national legends Thierry Henry (51) and Olivier Giroud (57).
Germany had earlier threatened to take the lead, with one of their best chances falling to Liverpool transfer target Florian Wirtz. The attacking midfielder saw his low effort cannon off the post in a frustrating first half for Julian Nagelsmann’s side.
Despite Germany’s early dominance, it was Mbappé who changed the course of the game. Exploiting a defensive lapse, the 26-year-old powered into the box and coolly slotted the ball past Germany goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen.
With his latest goal, Mbappé reached the half-century mark in just 79 appearances, a feat few players in international football have managed. He now trails Thierry Henry by just one goal in the race to become France’s second-highest scorer of all time and needs only seven more to catch current record-holder Olivier Giroud.
France’s dominance continued in the second half, with substitute Michael Olise putting the result beyond doubt in the closing stages. The Crystal Palace winger finished calmly after being set up by a sharp assist from Mbappé, capping a brilliant team performance from Didier Deschamps’ men.
Goalkeeper Mike Maignan was equally influential in securing the win. The AC Milan shot-stopper made several crucial saves to keep Germany at bay, showcasing resilience in goal after France’s wild 5-4 defeat to Spain in the semi-finals.
For Germany, the loss extends their winless run to three matches, highlighting continued inconsistency under head coach Julian Nagelsmann. The hosts created opportunities but lacked the cutting edge to convert their dominance into goals, leaving their fans disappointed just weeks before the 2026 World Cup qualifiers kick off.
The match also serves as a sharp contrast to France’s semi-final, where they were edged out by Spain in a high-scoring thriller. Sunday’s third-place fixture may not have had the same drama, but it provided a solid end to France’s campaign and, more importantly, a personal milestone for Mbappé.
Meanwhile, attention now shifts to the UEFA Nations League final, where reigning champions Spain are set to battle long-time rivals Portugal at 8 pm in Munich. Both teams have looked formidable, and with star power on both sides, the clash promises fireworks.
As France leaves the tournament with a bronze medal and Mbappé nears the summit of French football’s all-time scorers, Sunday’s win offers both celebration and motivation. With years still ahead of him, Mbappé’s quest to become France’s greatest goalscorer and one of football’s immortals continues.
