Kylian Mbappé scores twice, surpassing Pelé's World Cup goal record
Category: Sports
France secured a commanding 3-1 victory over Senegal in their opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage on June 17, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Kylian Mbappé was the star of the match, netting two goals and surpassing Pelé’s long-standing record of 12 World Cup goals with his 14th career goal in the tournament.
This win marks a successful start for France in the tournament and serves as a redemption for their surprising loss to Senegal in the opening match of the 2002 World Cup, a defeat that has lingered in the memories of fans and players alike for 24 years.
In the first half, both teams struggled to find their rhythm, with Senegal applying early pressure. The match began with a tense atmosphere, as Senegal's Ismaïla Sarr attempted the first shot on goal within the first seven minutes. Senegal's Nikola Jackson came close to scoring in the 25th minute, hitting the post with a powerful left-footed shot after a well-timed through ball. France, meanwhile, dominated possession but failed to convert any of their chances, ending the first half at 0-0.
The second half saw a transformed French side, eager to make their mark. Just minutes into the half, Ousmane Dembélé and Michael Olise both had shots that tested Senegal’s goalkeeper Édouard Mendy. The breakthrough came in the 66th minute when Olise delivered a pinpoint pass to Mbappé, who executed a deft one-touch finish to give France the lead. This goal was Mbappé’s first of the match and marked his third consecutive World Cup goal across three tournaments.
As France continued to apply pressure, they extended their lead in the 82nd minute with a stunning chip shot from substitute Bradley Barcola, who had just entered the game. The goal put France ahead 2-0 and solidified their control over the match.
Senegal managed to score a consolation goal in stoppage time through Ibrahim Mbaye, who struck just before the final whistle. His goal provided a brief moment of hope for the Senegalese fans, who had gathered in numbers to support their team. Yet, just a minute later, Mbappé responded with a spectacular long-range effort, sealing the match at 3-1.
With this victory, France claimed three points in their group and reestablished their status as one of the tournament favorites. Mbappé’s performance was particularly notable as he became the new record holder for the most goals scored by a French player in World Cup history, surpassing Just Fontaine’s previous record of 13 goals. He is now just two goals shy of Miroslav Klose's all-time World Cup record of 16 goals.
The match was a reminder of France's attacking prowess, with a lineup featuring stars from top European leagues, including Real Madrid’s Mbappé, Bayern Munich’s Olise, and Paris Saint-Germain’s Dembélé. Coach Didier Deschamps will likely be pleased with how his team responded after a sluggish first half, demonstrating resilience and tactical awareness in the second.
Looking ahead, France will face Iraq in their next group match on June 23, 2026, at 6 AM local time. This match will be another opportunity for the reigning champions to solidify their position at the top of Group I.
On the other hand, Senegal will be aiming for their first points of the tournament when they take on Norway on the same day, but at 9 AM. After a disappointing start, they will need to regroup quickly to avoid falling behind in their quest for advancement.
This match showcased the excitement of the World Cup and highlighted the potential for memorable moments, as Mbappé continues to rise as one of football's brightest stars. His ability to score under pressure and perform on the biggest stage is a trait that will be closely watched as the tournament progresses.
As fans around the world celebrate this thrilling opener, the implications of France's victory and Mbappé's record-breaking performance will resonate throughout the tournament, setting the stage for what will likely be an exciting World Cup.