Mbappé’s Double Seals France’s Victory Over Senegal
France Captain Becomes All-Time Leading Scorer in World Cup Opener
Kylian Mbappé scored twice to become France’s all-time leading scorer with 58 international goals, as Les Bleus opened their World Cup 2026 Group I campaign with a thrilling 3-1 victory over Senegal.
The French captain struck in the 66th minute to equal Olivier Giroud’s record of 57 goals, before sealing the win deep into stoppage time with a stunning long-range effort.
Substitute Bradley Barcola also found the net in the 82nd minute, while Senegal’s Ibrahim Mbaye briefly gave the West Africans hope with a late strike in the 90th+5 minute.
Senegal had threatened early, with Nicolas Jackson and Ismaila Sarr both coming close, but France’s second-half surge proved decisive.
Michael Olise impressed throughout, creating Mbappé’s opener and earning the Player of the Match award.
The victory ensured France avoided a repeat of their shock defeat to Senegal in 2002, their only opening-game loss in the last eight World Cups.
For coach Didier Deschamps, this was his 20th World Cup match in charge, drawing him level with legendary tacticians Bora Milutinović, Oscar Tabárez, and Mario Zagallo.
Only three coaches have managed more games at the tournament.
