France 3-1 Senegal: Kylian Mbappe breaks goalscoring record in World Cup opener
Kylian Mbappe became France’s all-time leading goalscorer with a stunning double as Les Bleus overcame a sluggish start to beat Senegal 3-1 in their World Cup Group I opener.
Kylian Mbappe wrote his name into the history books with a sensational second-half double as World Cup favourites France overcame a major first-half scare to beat Senegal 3-1 in their Group I opener in New Jersey.
The Real Madrid forward drew level with Olivier Giroud on 57 goals with a sharp first-time finish from a clever Michael Olise pass, before claiming the record outright with an absolute screamer from 30 yards deep into stoppage time.
Substitute Bradley Barcola had earlier doubled France’s advantage following an exquisite assist from Adrien Rabiot, briefly punctuated by an algebraic twist when teenager Ibrahim Mbaye pulled one back for the African champions in the 95th minute.
Yet the comfortable nature of the final scoreline completely masked a dreadful opening 45 minutes from Didier Deschamps’ side, who looked utterly devoid of ideas and energy despite starting a star-studded front four of Mbappe, Olise, Ousmane Dembele, and Desire Doue.
Instead, it was Senegal who controlled the early narrative at the New York New Jersey Stadium, unpicking a flat French midfield and exposing uncharacteristic spaces in their backline.
Nicolas Jackson came agonisingly close to a shock opener on 25 minutes when he capitalised on an uncharacteristic Mbappe error, racing through only to see his low drive clip the base of the post and deflect clear off Mike Maignan. Jackson later had a goal correctly ruled out for offside, while Ismaila Sarr wasted a glorious chance on the stroke of half-time, launching a side-footed effort over the crossbar from point-blank range.
Deschamps’ interval tactical switch—moving the impressive Olise into a central playmaking role—sparked an instant transformation, as Les Bleus suffocated the Teranga Lions with intense possession and slick transitional play.
Mbappe thought he had earned a penalty on the hour mark when Sadio Mane challenged him from behind, but referee Alireza Faghani controversially stuck with his on-field decision after a lengthy review at the pitchside monitor.
The frustration lasted only six minutes, as Olise slid a brilliant, defence-splitting pass through to Mbappe, who clinically swept his shot past Edouard Mendy without looking up.
With Senegal visibly tiring under the weight of the relentless French press, Barcola made the points safe eight minutes from time, finishing coolly after being released by Rabiot’s perfectly weighted pass.
A chaotic injury-time sequence saw teenage sensation Mbaye trigger late dreams of a Senegal comeback by rifling a well-controlled shot past Maignan, but the evening ultimately belonged to France’s captain. Just 60 seconds later, Mbappe picked up the ball in midfield, skipped away from a challenge, and unleashed a thunderous strike into the top corner to seal a perfect start to France’s global campaign.
