Mbappe breaks France and World Cup records after win over Senegal

Any lingering doubts about Kylian Mbappe's standing among the world's greatest footballers were emphatically erased as he scored twice to lead France to a 3-1 victory over Senegal in the opening match of the 2026 World Cup at the New York/New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford.

Mbappe, 27, became France's all-time leading scorer on Tuesday (local time) by surpassing Olivier Giroud's previous record of 58 goals. In an emotional moment, Giroud — working as a commentator for the match — congratulated Mbappe live on air after his 96th-minute strike.

With his two goals, Mbappe also set a new record for most goals by a French player at a single World Cup, scoring 14 to break Just Fontaine's 1958 mark of 13. He also became the youngest player to achieve this milestone. Mbappe now trails only Miroslav Klose's all-time World Cup scoring record of 16 goals by two, a mark he could equal or surpass when France faces Iraq next week in Philadelphia. He currently ranks third on the all-time World Cup scoring list, behind Brazil's Ronaldo (15 goals), and has overtaken Argentina legend Lionel Messi (13).

On social media after the historic match, Mbappe said, “It's always important to start with a win. It's going to be a long road, but we are ready.” He made no mention of his individual records.

France struggled in the first half but came alive after the break. Mbappe's first goal, in the 66th minute, came from a clever run into the box to meet a superb pass from Michael Olise, breaking the deadlock in a tense contest. Paris Saint-Germain's Bradley Barcola came off the bench to score France's second late in the match, before his club teammate Ibrahim Mbaye pulled one back for Senegal in stoppage time. However, Mbappe had the final word, unleashing a long-range strike in the 96th minute to seal a 3-1 victory.

Mbappe is no stranger to World Cup glory. In 2018, at age 19, he led France to victory in Russia. His goal against Peru that year made him the youngest French scorer in World Cup history and only the second teenager (after Pelé) to score in a World Cup final. That performance earned him FIFA's Best Young Player award and France's Player of the Year honor. Though Lionel Messi's Argentina denied France a title defense in 2022, Mbappe's hat-trick in the final was only the second in World Cup final history, after Geoff Hurst's for England in 1966.

With his latest goals, Mbappe has now scored in three consecutive World Cups and is the only player to have scored two or more goals in five different World Cup matches.

After the match, Mbappe posed for photos with family and friends in the stands, soaking in the historic moment.