Mbappe Rewrites French Football History in World Cup Opener
Kylian Mbappe wrote his name into French football history on Tuesday, scoring twice to become his country’s all-time leading goalscorer as France recovered from a sluggish first half to defeat Senegal 3-1 in their 2026 FIFA World Cup Group I opener.
The match, played before a packed house of 80,545 at the New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, tested Didier Deschamps’ side, who arrived among the leading contenders for the title. After struggling to find rhythm before the break, Les Bleus responded emphatically, with Mbappe scoring twice and substitute Bradley Barcola adding another.
The opening 45 minutes carried unwelcome echoes of the past. France went into the 2002 World Cup as holders and favourites, but lost 1-0 to the Lions of Teranga in their opening game and never recovered, going out in the group stage without scoring a goal. On Tuesday, Senegal again matched their opponents, with Nicolas Jackson striking the post in the 25th minute and Ismaila Sarr volleying over from close range in stoppage time. After 45 minutes, France had managed just one shot, their lowest total in a World Cup group-stage match since Opta began analysing the competition in 1966.
France emerged transformed. They believed they should have had a penalty when Sadio Mane appeared to bring down Mbappe, but the referee waved play on after a VAR review. The breakthrough arrived in the 64th minute when Michael Olise threaded a pass for Mbappe, who swept a first-time finish into the bottom corner. Senegal thought they had equalised moments later through Jackson, only for the assistant referee’s flag to rule it out for offside.
Barcola doubled the lead in the 82nd minute, controlling Adrien Rabiot’s pass before lifting his finish over Edouard Mendy. Coming on as a substitute, Barcola scored on his World Cup debut, taking just 131 seconds to grab his goal, and at 23 years and 287 days became the youngest Frenchman to score on a World Cup debut since Thierry Henry in 1998.
Senegal refused to surrender. In the 88th minute, at 18 years and 143 days, Ibrahim Mbaye became the youngest African scorer at the tournament with a stunning strike past Mike Maignan. The hope lasted two minutes. Mbappe collected possession nearly 30 yards out and unleashed a spectacular long-range effort over Mendy to seal the win.
The brace carried deep significance. Mbappe’s 64th-minute strike was his 57th for the national team, drawing level with Olivier Giroud, before his stoppage-time goal made it 58 and the record outright. His tally took his career World Cup goals to 14, just two behind all-time leader Miroslav Klose. He also moved past Pele and Lionel Messi on the competition’s all-time scoring list. Mbappe further became the third player to score for France at three different World Cups, joining Michel Platini and Dominique Rocheteau.
The result extends a pattern under Deschamps, who is managing his final tournament before stepping down. France have now won their opening group fixture at the finals for a fourth consecutive occasion. Deschamps praised his captain, saying, “On one action, he really is able to tip the scales and bring his team to victory.”
France next face Iraq on June 22, while Senegal take on Norway a day later. For the Lions of Teranga, defeat stings, but their display suggested the quality to fight for a place in the knockout rounds.