Kylian Mbappé renewed his remarkable relationship with the World Cup yesterday, 16 June, as he scored twice in France’s 3-1 win over Senegal, moving him within touching distance of Lionel Messi in the race to become the tournament’s all-time leading scorer.
According to Agence France-Presse (AFP), the Real Madrid forward opened the scoring at MetLife Stadium, breaking the deadlock in the 66th minute after connecting with a precise pass from Michael Olise. Bradley Barcola later added a second for France before Ibrahim Mbaye pulled one back for Senegal, but Mbappé sealed the result in injury time with his second goal, completing the brace and securing the Group I victory.
AFP reported that the result marked “the perfect start to the World Cup” for a French side widely regarded as one of the tournament favourites, while Mbappé’s two goals also confirmed him as France’s all-time leading goalscorer.
He began the match one goal behind Olivier Giroud, his former team-mate from France’s 2018 World Cup-winning squad, but moved ahead to reach 58 international goals in 99 appearances.
I am really pleased and very happy to make a little more history for my country.
Mbappé added, “It is something I always wanted to do, although we know why we are here, so I think I will have the time to think about all these things once I stop playing.”
He added, “We want to keep writing the biggest page in the history of the French national team. We know the road is very long, but we are ready.”
According to AFP’s reporting, France have reached four World Cup finals in the last seven editions, including the past two tournaments. After winning in 2018, they were beaten on penalties by Argentina in the 2022 final in Doha, a match in which Mbappé scored a hat-trick.
Now managed by Didier Deschamps, who is set to step down after 14 years in charge, France are again viewed as strong contenders for the title. Deschamps originally handed Mbappé his international debut in 2017 and oversaw his rise to global prominence at the 2018 World Cup, where he scored four goals, including one in the final against Croatia.
AFP highlighted that Mbappé’s brace took his World Cup tally to 14 goals in 15 appearances, underlining a strike rate that places him among the most prolific players in the tournament’s history. During the match, he also moved past Brazil legend Pelé’s mark of 12 World Cup goals and overtook French icon Just Fontaine, who scored 13 goals in the 1958 edition.
Mbappé is now level with Germany’s Gerd Müller in the all-time standings. Ahead of him remain only Ronaldo Nazário on 15, and Lionel Messi and Miroslav Klose on 16.
AFP further noted that Mbappé’s form stands in contrast to his European Championship record, where he has scored just once in nine appearances.
France’s attack was also shaped by the performance of Michael Olise, who operated in a more central role behind Mbappé and provided the decisive assist for the opening goal. Mbappé praised the Bayern Munich winger, saying, as quoted by AFP, “It is so easy to play with Michael. He always has his head up and you just need to try to give him the option.”
“He always wants to go forward and serve his team-mates. I knew he would find me every time I made a run. It’s super cool.”
AFP reported that France will continue their group campaign against Iraq in Philadelphia on Monday, 22 June, followed by a meeting with Norway in Boston on 26 June. Mbappé will be targeting further goals as he closes in on the tournament’s all-time scoring record.
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