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Mbappe and Dembele equal Ronaldo and Rivaldo's record set at the 2002 World Cup

2026-07-10 19:15:18Sport SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX

France secured their place in the semi-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Monday after a decisive contribution from their brilliant attacking duo.

Kylian Mbappe opened the scoring before Ousmane Dembele quickly doubled France's lead, leading Les Bleus to a 2-0 victory over Morocco. The French duo have led the French attack in America, with each forward now reaching a milestone, FIFA writes.

Mbappe's right-footed strike past Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou was his eighth goal of the tournament and 20th in as many World Cup matches. Dembele's goal was his fifth of the tournament, scored after taking advantage of his captain's intelligent move.

"It's a position I feel very comfortable in, with France as much as with Paris Saint-Germain," Dembele said after the match. "I've already said it: I'm getting stronger with every game in this competition."

The two French strikers have already become part of one of the most elite groups of the World Cup.

Mbappé's eight goals and Dembélé's five make the French duo the first players from the same national team to each score at least five goals in the same edition, since the Brazilian duo Ronaldo and Rivaldo in 2002 with the Brazilian national team.

The tournament's history is rich with successful partnerships that have entered the World Cup Hall of Fame. Hungary set the bar high early on with Gyorgy Sarosi and Gyula Zsengeller in 1938, and then raised it again 16 years later, with Sandor Kocsis' 11 goals and Ferenc Puskas' four in the 1954 finals. Meanwhile, Brazil had Ademir at the forefront of the attack in 1950, supported masterfully by Chico.

The Selecao roster is rich with famous duos, from Pelé and Vavá in 1958 to Pelé and Jairzinho in Brazil's undefeated team in 1970.

Also, other pairs such as the French Just Fontaine and Raymond Kopa (1958), the Germans Helmut Haller and Franz Beckenbauer (1966), the Poles Grzegorz Lato and Andrzej Szarmach (1974) and the Argentines Diego Maradona and Jorge Valdano (1986), have left indelible marks on the history of the World Cup.

At the 2002 tournament in Korea/Japan, Ronaldo and Rivaldo played equally crucial roles as Brazil were crowned world champions again, scoring a combined 13 goals. Ronaldo led the way with eight goals, winning the Golden Boot, while Rivaldo followed closely with five.

Of course, France is hoping for a similar fate to Brazil's in 2002. Mbappé and Dembélé have already equalled Ronaldo and Rivaldo's combined tally and, with two games remaining (regardless of the semi-final result), they have the chance to reach new heights.

No team, since the World Cup began in 1930, has finished the tournament with two players who have each scored at least six goals.

It's a benchmark that now appears to be firmly in France's hands. However, according to Dembele, Les Bleus remain somewhat far from their full potential.

“We can be sharper in front of goal and concede less,” he said. “We can also press better as a unit. The deeper we go in the tournament, the better we will become.”

Mbappe shared his fellow goalscorer's sentiments, but was keen to downplay his own figures, adding: "The objective with France is always to win, and that's also what gives this team strength. Of course, we have a lot of talent, but what matters most is that we play for each other. We are united and we are all moving towards the same thing: victory."

If they need an extra boost, Mbappe and Dembele can look to the few partnerships they still have ahead of them: Kocsis and Puskas scored 15 times together in 1954 and, at most, Fontaine and Kopa scored 16 goals for France in 1958 which remains the standard.

Rarely has this historic landmark seemed so attainable.


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