Mbappe sets France goals mark in World Cup win over Senegal

Kylian Mbappe became France’s all-time leading scorer as the national team opened its 2026 World Cup campaign with a 3-1 win over Senegal on Tuesday, AFP reported. The result gave Didier Deschamps’ side three points in Group I and a strong start in its bid for a third World Cup title.

Mbappe scored in the 66th minute and again in the 96th at the New York/New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, according to AFP. Bradley Barcola also scored for France, while Ibrahim Mbaye answered for Senegal in stoppage time.

AFP reported that Mbappe’s two goals lifted him to 58 for France, making him the country’s top scorer. The Real Madrid forward also moved to 14 career World Cup goals, two behind Miroslav Klose’s all-time record and level with Gerd Mueller on the tournament list.

The 27-year-old passed Pele’s 12 World Cup goals and moved ahead of Lionel Messi and Just Fontaine, who each had 13, AFP reported. Only Klose and Brazil’s Ronaldo, who scored 15, remain above him.

France improved after a slow start

France had trouble in the first half, while Senegal created the better chances, according to AFP. Nicolas Jackson broke through in the 25th minute and struck the post, with the ball then hitting goalkeeper Mike Maignan and going just wide.

Ismaila Sarr missed another strong opportunity in first-half stoppage time, sending his effort over the bar, AFP reported. Senegal, led by veteran forward Sadio Mane, were playing before a crowd of 80,545 in bright sunshine with Manhattan visible beyond the stadium.

AFP reported that Deschamps changed the shape of France’s attack at halftime by moving Michael Olise inside from the right. Ousmane Dembele shifted wide, giving Olise room behind Mbappe through the middle.

The adjustment changed the match, according to AFP. Olise forced a save from Edouard Mendy, later created another Mbappe chance, and then supplied the pass that led to France’s opening goal.

France thought it had a penalty around the hour when Mbappe went down after a challenge by Mane, AFP reported. Referee Alireza Faghani reviewed the incident and did not award a spot kick.

Barcola extends lead before late goals

Mbappe’s opener came when he moved across the penalty area to meet Olise’s pass and finish in the 66th minute, AFP reported. Barcola, who came off the bench, later ran onto Adrien Rabiot’s release and scored France’s second.

Senegal cut the deficit in the 95th minute through Mbaye, according to AFP. Mbappe then struck from long range a minute later to close the match and cap his 99th appearance for France.

AFP reported that France will next face Iraq before meeting Norway, led by Erling Haaland. Deschamps, who is set to step down after 14 years in charge following the tournament, had warned against overconfidence in a squad considered among the pre-tournament favorites.

Senegal’s matchup with France carried historical weight, AFP noted. In 2002, Senegal beat the defending champion French team 1-0 in the World Cup opener, and France exited that tournament in the group stage without scoring.

This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.