Kylian Mbappe etched his name into French football history on Tuesday after becoming France’s all-time leading goalscorer in a 3-1 victory over Senegal in their opening Group I match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The France captain scored twice at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey to move onto 58 international goals, surpassing the previous record jointly held with Olivier Giroud and helping Les Bleus begin their World Cup campaign with an impressive victory.
The result also extended France’s strong recent form, with Didier Deschamps’ side now boasting 10 wins from their last 12 international matches.
Despite France dominating possession during the early stages, it was Senegal who created the first major opportunity of the contest.
A swift counterattack released Nicolas Jackson behind the French defence, but his effort struck the post before bouncing away after brushing the trailing leg of goalkeeper Mike Maignan.
Senegal continued to grow into the game and squandered another golden opportunity moments before half-time.
Sadio Mane surged down the left flank and picked out the unmarked Ismaila Sarr inside the penalty area, but the winger volleyed over from close range as the teams went into the break level at 0-0.
France emerged with far greater intensity after the restart.
Desire Doue fired narrowly wide before Michael Olise carved through the Senegal defence and saw his effort diverted over the crossbar by Edouard Mendy.
The Senegal goalkeeper then produced another outstanding save to deny Mbappe, but the forward eventually found the breakthrough in the 66th minute.
After initially being denied a penalty in controversial circumstances, Mbappe latched onto a clever pass from Olise and calmly finished to give France the lead.
The goal not only put Les Bleus in front but also saw the Real Madrid star draw level with Giroud as France’s all-time leading scorer.
France continued to press for a second goal and found it eight minutes from time.
Substitute Bradley Barcola timed his run perfectly to meet Adrien Rabiot’s through ball before delicately lifting his finish over Mendy to double the advantage.
Senegal briefly threatened a late comeback when Ibrahim Mbaye reduced the deficit in the 90th minute after his powerful effort proved too strong for Maignan.
Any hopes of a revival were quickly extinguished by Mbappe.
The French captain responded almost immediately with a spectacular long-range strike from around 30 yards to restore France’s two-goal cushion and seal victory.
The goal completed a historic night for the 27-year-old, who moved clear as the leading scorer in France’s history with 58 goals.
Mbappe’s latest World Cup strike also took his tally in the competition to 14 goals, leaving him just two behind Miroslav Klose’s all-time World Cup scoring record.
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