Mbappé Shines as France Defeats Senegal in World Cup Opener

New Jersey, June 17: Kylian Mbappé showcased his brilliance in the opening match of the FIFA World Cup 2026. He scored two goals against Senegal, leading France to a 3-1 victory. With these two goals, Mbappé has now become the all-time leading scorer for France, surpassing Olivier Giroud.

Mbappé has scored a total of 58 goals for the national team, while Giroud had netted 57. However, the 27-year-old emphasized that his primary goal is not to break records but to help his country win the World Cup. He stated, “I want my name to be remembered in France’s football history. My aim is for the team to reach the finals and win the World Cup. Records and achievements are part of my career, but the team’s success is what matters most.”

Senegal initially put up a strong fight against France. In the first half, players like Nicolas Jackson and Ismaïla Sarr created good scoring opportunities. At one point, it seemed Senegal might take the lead, but France’s solid defense thwarted their attempts.

The first half ended without any goals. However, France transformed their game in the second half, displaying aggressive play and putting pressure on Senegal’s goal. Mbappé scored the first goal with a brilliant pass from Michael Olise, equaling Giroud’s record.

In stoppage time, Mbappé struck again from outside the box, making him the highest scorer for France. In the final moments, Senegal’s young player Ibrahim Mbaye scored for his team, but it was not enough to change the outcome, and France secured the match 3-1. This victory also avenged France’s earlier defeat to Senegal in the 2022 World Cup.

Mbappé has now scored 14 goals in World Cup history, making him the top scorer for France in the tournament. He surpassed Just Fontaine, who had 13 goals, and even outperformed Lionel Messi, who scored 13 goals in 26 World Cup matches. Mbappé is now just two goals shy of the record held by Germany’s Miroslav Klose, who scored 16 goals in World Cups.

Meanwhile, Senegal’s Ibrahim Mbaye made history as well. At just 18 years and 142 days old, he became the youngest player from an African nation to score in a World Cup. After the match, he acknowledged that his team couldn’t maintain their performance level in the second half, allowing France to capitalize on their mistakes.