France captain Kylian Mbappe moved to within one goal of Lionel Messi's all-time World Cup scoring record after converting a second-half penalty to secure a 1-0 victory over Paraguay in the Round of 16 early Sunday, reports AP.

Mbappe calmly slotted home from the spot in the 70th minute after Paraguay's Diego Gomez was penalized for tripping him following a video review. 

The goal was Mbappe's 19th in 19 World Cup appearances, leaving him just one behind Argentina captain Lionel Messi, who scored his 20th World Cup goal in Argentina's 3-2 win over Cape Verde on Friday.

The strike also took Mbappe's tally to seven goals in this year's tournament, drawing level with Messi in the race for the Golden Boot, awarded to the competition's top scorer.

France coach Didier Deschamps praised his captain's leadership and commitment after the match.

"He has shown the right attitude from the very beginning and gives everything for the team," Deschamps said. "He is an outstanding player, and when he speaks, he speaks for the entire group."

Mbappe also became the first player to score at least three goals in the knockout stages of three different World Cups.

The match was fiercely contested, with several physical challenges directed at the France forward. 

Tensions flared in the first half after Paraguay's Andres Cubas fouled Mbappe, triggering a brief confrontation between players from both teams. Later, Matias Galarza caught the French star with an elbow during another challenge.

Following the final whistle, Mbappe appeared to ignore a handshake attempt from Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill, who responded by throwing the ball toward the France captain.

Reflecting on the physical contest, Mbappe said France had been prepared for Paraguay's approach and matched their intensity.

The victory sends France into the quarterfinals and keeps Mbappe firmly in contention for both the Golden Boot and the World Cup career scoring record. GeographicReference

Norway's Erling Haaland and England's Harry Kane are next in the Golden Boot standings with five goals each. 

If players finish level on goals, FIFA will decide the award based first on assists and then on the fewest minutes played. Mbappé currently holds a 2-0 advantage over Messi in assists.

MSH

Bangladeshi wicketkeeper-batter Mushfiqur Rahim is set to feature for Fortune Barishal in the forthcoming Bangladesh Premier League (BPL).

Mushfiqur had played for Sylhet Strikers in the last edition. His price was fixed at 80 lakhs in the players' draft according to the category. Which means he was in 'A' category.

The top category player will play along with other star players like Tamim Iqbal, Mahmudullah, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, and Khaled Ahmed in Fortune Barishal.

Neymar said he was relishing “new challenges and opportunities in new places” after he joined Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal from Paris Saint-Germain on a two-year deal Tuesday, becoming the latest big name lured to the oil-rich Gulf state.

The Brazil forward, 31, ends a six-year stay in the French capital and follows in the footsteps of Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Sadio Mane in swapping Europe for the Middle East.

“I have achieved a lot in Europe and enjoyed special times, but I have always wanted to be a global player and test myself with new challenges and opportunities in new places,” Neymar said in a statement from the Saudi Pro League.

“I want to write new sporting history, and the Saudi Pro League has tremendous energy and quality players at the moment,” he added.

Neymar was “in negotiations” on Sunday to become the latest football superstar to decamp for Saudi Arabia, leaving Paris Saint-Germain just as Kylian Mbappe was brought back in from the cold by the French champions.

A source close to PSG told AFP that 31-year-old Neymar “no longer figures in the club or manager’s plans” with the Brazilian immediately linked to Al-Hilal in the Gulf kingdom.

Another source in Saudi Arabia said that “direct negotiations” between Neymar’s agents and the Public Investment Fund (PIF) were ongoing.