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Kylian Mbappé denied a 3rd straight World Cup final but remains in Golden Boot mix with Messi
By SCHUYLER DIXON, Associated Press at ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports
· July 14, 2026
· 1 min read
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Kylian Mbappé saw it for himself on the field: France simply didn’t play well enough to reach a third consecutive World Cup final. The France striker will have to settle for a third-place match and the continuing chase for another Golden Boot award in a tight race with Arg...
Key takeaway The France striker will have to settle for a third-place match and the continuing chase for another Golden Boot award in a tight race with Argentina superstar Lionel [...
Why this matters in The McAllen
The World Cup loss for Kylian Mbappé may seem like a distant concern for McAllen residents, but for local soccer enthusiasts, the news is likely to spark lively discussions. In a community where soccer is a beloved sport, many Valley residents closely follow international competitions, often gathering at local parks or sports bars to watch matches and cheer on their favorite teams. The Rio Grande Valley's strong Hispanic heritage also means that many residents have a deep affection for Argentine soccer legend Lionel Messi, making the Golden Boot race a topic of particular interest. As the World Cup continues, McAllen's soccer fans will likely remain engaged, debating the merits of Mbappé and Messi, and speculating about the outcome of the tournament. Local sports bars and restaurants may even see an uptick in business as fans gather to watch the remaining matches.
About this story
Original reporting by ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports . The McAllen surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 14, 2026 ·
Source: ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Kylian Mbappé saw it for himself on the field: France simply didn’t play well enough to reach a third consecutive World Cup final. The France striker will have to settle for a third-place match and the continuing chase for another Golden Boot award in a tight race with Arg...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 14, 2026 by ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports and curated for The McAllen readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by SCHUYLER DIXON, Associated Press at ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports. To learn more about how The McAllen selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The McAllen, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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