Kylian Mbappe became France’s all-time leading scorer after netting twice in a 3-1 victory over Senegal on Tuesday, giving Les Bleus a winning start to their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign and sending them to the top of Group I.
Playing at New York New Jersey Stadium, Didier Deschamps’ side endured a difficult first half before taking control after the break through goals from Mbappe and substitute Bradley Barcola. Senegal pulled one back deep into stoppage time through Ibrahim Mbaye, but Mbappe responded moments later with his second goal to seal the result.
Mbappe’s brace lifted his international tally to 58 goals in just 99 appearances, moving him past Olivier Giroud’s previous French record of 57 goals, which had been set across 137 matches. The Real Madrid forward also increased his World Cup total to 14 goals, leaving him just two behind all-time tournament leading scorer Miroslav Klose.
Senegal made the brighter start and repeatedly threatened France’s defense during an entertaining opening period. El Hadji Malick Diouf delivered dangerous crosses from the left, while Ismaila Sarr and Nicolas Jackson both tested the French back line. Jackson came closest midway through the half when his effort struck the post after a well-timed through ball.
France gradually settled into the contest after the opening quarter-hour. Ousmane Dembele and Michael Olise began finding space in the attacking third, although Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy remained largely untroubled before halftime. At the other end, Mike Maignan denied Sadio Mane as the score remained goalless at the break.
The momentum shifted after halftime as France raised the intensity. Olise forced a sharp save from Mendy before Mbappe also tested the Chelsea goalkeeper with a powerful strike. France briefly appealed for a penalty when Mbappe went down inside the area following a challenge from a Senegal defender, but referee Alireza Faghani waved play on after a VAR review.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 66th minute when Olise slipped a perfectly weighted pass into Mbappe’s path. The France captain calmly finished beyond Mendy to hand his side a deserved lead after sustained second-half pressure.
Senegal believed they had responded almost immediately through Jackson, but the goal was ruled out for offside following the assistant referee’s flag.
Deschamps’ decision to introduce Bradley Barcola proved decisive. The Paris Saint-Germain winger doubled France’s advantage in the 82nd minute, delicately lifting the ball over Mendy after being played through by Adrien Rabiot.
The closing minutes produced late drama. Ibrahim Mbaye capitalized on a defensive mistake to reduce the deficit in the fifth minute of stoppage time, briefly giving Senegal hope of an unlikely comeback. Mbappe extinguished those hopes less than a minute later with a superb long-range finish to complete his historic evening.
The victory gives France three points and first place in Group I after the opening round of matches. Les Bleus will next face Iraq in Philadelphia, while Senegal takes on Norway as both teams continue their pursuit of a place in the knockout stage.
