FIFA World Cup 2026: Mbappe scores historic brace as France beats Senegal

Kylian Mbappe reached the milestone for France on Tuesday evening with his goals against Senegal.

He has now scored 58 goals in just 99 games for France. And his goals took him to 14 at the World Cup, just two behind Germany’s Klose, who holds the record with 16.

After a barren first half, 2022 World Cup finalists France picked up the pace in their opening match in New York against France with Michael Olise and Kylian Mbappe the tormentors in chief.

Olise looked on the verge of ending the deadlock in the 50th minute but Édouard Mendy’s clinical save saved Senegal.

Moments later, a penalty appealed after Senegal legend Sadio Mane would foul Mbappe, but VAR ruled otherwise in favor of the Teranga Lions.

But the pressure continued to mount and a one-on-one between Olise and Mbappe saw the Real Madrid striker give France the lead in the 66th minute.

Bradley Barcola scored the Blues’ second goal in the 81st minute, giving France revenge for their 1-0 defeat against the Africans in the opening match of the 2002 Korea/Japan World Cup.

Senegal attempted a comeback with Mbaye’s injury-time goal to make it 2-1, but Mbappe responded with a thunderous shot outside the penalty area for France’s third goal and his 58th to become his country’s top scorer in history.