Kylian Mbappe became France’s all-time leading scorer with a superb second-half brace as the 2022 runners-up overcame a spirited Senegal side 3-1 in their opening FIFA World Cup 2026 match on Wednesday.
The France captain struck in the 66th and 96th minutes to move onto 58 international goals, surpassing Olivier Giroud’s previous record of 57, while Bradley Barcola also found the net as Didier Deschamps’ side began their campaign with a hard-fought victory.
Senegal, who troubled France for long periods and threatened to recreate their famous opening-match upset from the 2002 World Cup, were rewarded late through Ibrahim Mbaye’s stoppage-time goal but ultimately fell short against a clinical French attack.
The West Africans looked the more dangerous side in the opening stages at MetLife Stadium. Nicolas Jackson came agonizingly close when his effort beat goalkeeper Mike Maignan but ricocheted off both the post and the goalkeeper before staying out. Jackson later had the ball in the net, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside.
Ismaila Sarr also squandered a promising opportunity as Senegal repeatedly exposed weaknesses in the French defense during an energetic first-half display.
France emerged transformed after the break. Desire Doue signaled the shift in momentum with an early effort before Michael Olise and Mbappe forced outstanding saves from Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.
The breakthrough arrived in the 66th minute when Olise threaded a clever pass into Mbappe’s path. The Real Madrid forward made no mistake, firing beyond Mendy to draw level with Giroud’s national scoring record.
Barcola appeared to have sealed the result in the 82nd minute with a composed finish after coming off the bench, but the match still had late drama.
Teenager Ibrahim Mbaye pulled a goal back for Senegal in the fifth minute of added time, raising hopes of a remarkable comeback. Those hopes lasted barely a minute before Mbappe delivered the decisive blow, unleashing a powerful strike from outside the penalty area to restore France’s two-goal advantage and write his name into the record books.
“I play to make my mark on my country’s history, to ensure my team reaches the final and wins the World Cup,” Mbappe said after the match. “The rest will simply be part of who I am and my career.”
Speaking to French broadcaster M6, the 27-year-old added: “It gives us a bit more peace of mind, although you’re never really relaxed at a World Cup. We’ve seen it with the other teams — winning is never easy. It wasn’t straightforward today, but we know we’re capable of scoring at any moment.”
The victory also marked a milestone for Deschamps, who took charge of his 20th World Cup match as France coach, drawing level with Bora Milutinovic, Oscar Tabarez and Mario Zagallo on the tournament’s all-time list. Only three coaches have managed more World Cup matches.
“It’s a bit of a relief,” Deschamps said. “We were a little apprehensive at the start. Changing Ousmane’s [Dembele] and Michael’s [Olise] positions made a big difference. It’s always important to win your opening match.”
Senegal goalkeeper Mendy admitted his side failed to capitalize on their strong start.
“We weren’t able to execute our game plan,” he said. “We knew we had to raise our level in the second half and be more clinical going forward. Against teams like this you have to be meticulous and leave nothing to chance because you’re up against pure talent.”
Mbappe’s latest landmark leaves him just two goals behind another major record. The French star now has 14 World Cup goals, closing in on former Germany striker Miroslav Klose’s all-time tournament record of 16.
France will next face Iraq looking to build on their winning start, while Senegal turn their attention to a crucial encounter against Norway as they seek their first points of the tournament.
