Kylian ​Mbappe goals records in World Cup 2026: France captain creates history against Senegal, surpasses Lionel Messi, Pele

Kylian Mbappe became France's all-time leading scorer ‌with ⁠a ⁠double against Senegal on Tuesday, beating the mark of 57 goals held by ⁠Olivier ‌Giroud. France shook themselves awake after a sleepy first half on Tuesday to beat Senegal 3-1 in the New York/New Jersey Stadium ‌for ⁠a ⁠perfect start to their World Cup campaign. Mbappe renewed his extraordinary love affair with the World Cup, in which he scored in the 2018 final as France won, and netted a stunning hat-trick in their defeat on penalties to Argentina in the 2022 final in Qatar. The 27-year-old Real Madrid striker's double took him past Pele's 12 and overtook the 13 of Lionel Messi and fellow Frenchman Just Fontaine. He is now level with Gerd Mueller in the overall list, with only Klose and the Brazilian Ronaldo (15) still ahead of him.

France, one of the pre-tournament favourites, will be expected to build on this to ease into the last 32, with outsiders Iraq up next before a meeting with Erling Haaland's Norway. Opponents Senegal served as a warning from the past -– France went into the 2002 World Cup as holders and favourites, but lost 1-0 to the Lions of Teranga in their opening game and never recovered, going out in the group stage without scoring a goal. While the Africans had looked the stronger team in the first half of the Group I match, the second period was ⁠a different ‌matter as French class ultimately proved the difference.

Kylian Mbappe

Playing in France's World ⁠Cup opening match at New York New Jersey Stadium, Mbappe scored his first in the ‌66th minute and notched his 58th international ⁠goal in second-half stoppage time. Inevitably, it ⁠was France captain Kylian Mbappe who broke the deadlock, unlocking the Senegalese defence in the 66th minute for a record-equalling 57th goal for his country.

Substitute Bradley Barcola added a second, ‌and Mbappe broke Olivier Giroud's record with his 58th France goal thanks ⁠to a scorching strike from outside the box deep into added time, seconds after Ibrahim Mbaye's consolation strike for Senegal. Iraq play Norway in Boston in Group later on Tuesday.

Kylian Mbappe Goals

Kylian Mbappe scored twice as France launched their bid for a third World Cup crown with a 3-1 victory over Senegal in Group I on Tuesday. Real Madrid star Mbappe took his career World Cup goals tally to 14 –- just two behind all-time leader Miroslav Klose –- and Bradley Barcola was also on target as Les Bleus secured all three points for Didier Deschamps' side.

Mbappe darted across the penalty area to convert a brilliant Michael Olise pass on 66 minutes to break the deadlock in a contest in which France struggled badly in the first half, but came to life after the break.

Barcola of Paris Saint-Germain then came off the bench to get the second late on, before his club colleague Ibrahim Mbaye pulled one back in stoppage time for Senegal. But Mbappe saved the best for last, as he blasted in from long range in the 96th minute to seal the win, and become France's all-time top scorer with 58 goals.

The decision by coach Didier Deschamps to move Olise infield from the right wing was crucial in swinging the game the way of the two-time World Cup winners. But it is Mbappe who grabbed the spotlight in what turned out to be a memorable 99th appearance for his country.