A brace against Senegal made Kylian Mbappe France’s greatest ever goalscorer — both in full internationals and at the World Cup — as Les Bleus opened their campaign with a commanding 3-1 victory.
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — History was always going to find Kylian Mbappe at this World Cup. It just chose to arrive early. With two goals against Senegal at MetLife Stadium on Tuesday, the Real Madrid forward surpassed Olivier Giroud to become France’s all-time leading scorer, finishing the evening on 58 international goals. For a player who has spent his career chasing records, this one felt different — carved out under the brightest lights the game has to offer.
France were efficient rather than spectacular in the opening half, but Mbappe’s quality in the second period settled any nerves. His opener on 66 minutes — a sharp, instinctive finish after a clever run in behind — drew him level with Giroud on 57. Then, deep into stoppage time, he silenced the last doubters with a rasping 25-yard rocket that arrowed into the top corner. Record broken. History made. The MetLife crowd erupted.
“I play to mark the history of my country and make sure that my team is in the final and win the World Cup.” — Kylian Mbappé, post-match
The milestone did not come in isolation. Mbappe also eclipsed Just Fontaine’s long-standing record of 13 World Cup goals for France — a mark that had stood since the 1958 tournament in Sweden. He now has 14 in major tournament play, placing him third on the all-time World Cup scoring chart behind Ronaldo Nazario (15) and the seemingly untouchable Miroslav Klose (16). With France likely to advance deep into this tournament, the German’s record is no longer safe.
Senegal were no pushovers. Coach Aliou Cisse’s side, brimming with Premier League talent, drew level at 1-1 before the hour mark and briefly threatened to steal a point. But France’s class — and Mbappe’s inevitability — proved decisive. Les Bleus eventually ran out 3-1 winners, sending an unmistakeable message to the rest of Group I: they are here to win the whole thing.
With Mbappe already within two goals of Klose’s record and France still to play four more matches at minimum, football history is not so much approaching as accelerating. At 27 years old and at the peak of his powers, the question is no longer whether Mbappe will become the World Cup’s all-time greatest scorer — it is simply when.
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