2026 FIFA WC: Helping France win the title in the goal, says Mbappe after making goal-scoring record

New Jersey, June 17 (IANS) Making history on the football field comes easily for Kylian Mbappe. The youngest goal-scorer for France in the FIFA World Cup, the 27-year-old became his country’s all-time leading scorer with 58 goals on Tuesday in the 2026 edition.

“I play to make my mark on my country’s history, to ensure my team reaches the final and wins the World Cup. The rest will simply be part of who I am and my career,” said Mbappe after the match, clearly indicating he is not chasing records.

Mbappe came good after missing a few chances and scored a brilliant brace as the Les Bleus got their campaign up and running with a thrilling 3-1 victory over Senegal in the FIFA World Cup 2026 at the New York/New Jersey Stadium.

France, the two-time champions, came into the match with a score to settle, having lost to the African nation in their opening match as defending champions in 2002 — Les Bleus’ only opening-game defeat in their previous eight global tournaments.

But the France captain’s double ensured there would be no repeat of that night as the 1998 and 2018 winners capped a much-improved second half. Bradley Barcola struck the other goal for the two-time winner, while Ibrahim Mbaye got the lone consolation for Senegal in second-half added time.

Pape Thiaw’s team had carried the initial threat at New York/New Jersey Stadium, playing well in the first period and so nearly opening the scoring when Nicolas Jackson shot against the post after his shot beat Mike Maignan, deflecting unfavourably off both the post and the goalkeeper. The ball did go in for them, but Jackson was ruled offside. Ismaila Sarr also sent a good chance over in the first period.

However, Desire Doue’s warning shot after half-time heralded the French charge. Michael Olise and Mbappe forced excellent saves from Edouard Mendy. Then Olise’s clever pass set up Mbappe to fire past Mendy and equal Olivier Giroud’s record 57 strikes for France.

Mbappe then entered the history books with a brilliant shot from outside the box after substitute Bradley Barcola and Ibrahim Mbaye had traded impressive late goals of their own.

The next target for Mbappe is Miroslav Klose’s record 16 World Cup finals goals. The Frenchman currently has 14 in the global showpiece.

Besides Mbappe, another player also made history on Tuesday. With his goal against France, Senegal teenager Ibrahim Mbaye became the youngest World Cup scorer for an African nation, aged 18 years and 142 days.

“We weren’t able to execute our game plan. We knew we had to raise our level in the second half and be more clinical going forward. We only managed to do that in spells, whereas against teams like this, you have to be meticulous and leave nothing to chance because you’re up against pure talent. The first game is behind us now, we have to learn from it and turn our attention to Norway,” Mbaye said after the match.

–IANS

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