Kylian Mbappé etched his name deeper into football history on Tuesday, scoring twice to become France's all-time leading international scorer as Les Bleus opened their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign with a 3-1 victory over Senegal at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The 27-year-old Real Madrid forward moved to 58 international goals, surpassing the previous record of 57 held by Olivier Giroud — who, in a poignant twist, was commentating on the match and congratulated Mbappé live on air when the second goal went in during the 96th minute.

France struggled for much of a first half in which Senegal — one of Africa's most accomplished footballing nations, winners of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations — were the more dangerous side, with Nicolas Jackson striking the post after a Mbappé error. The game transformed after the break when coach Didier Deschamps repositioned Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise into a central role. The tactical shift paid immediate dividends: Olise threaded a perfectly weighted pass for Mbappé to break the deadlock in the 66th minute. Paris Saint-Germain forward Bradley Barcola, coming off the bench, doubled the lead in the 82nd minute, before PSG's Ibrahim Mbaye pulled one back for Senegal in the 95th minute. Mbappé had the final word, however, blasting in from long range a minute later to seal the points.

The records Mbappé broke extended well beyond the national tally. His brace took him to 14 World Cup goals in 15 appearances, making him France's — and now history's — most prolific scorer at the tournament, overtaking compatriot Just Fontaine, who scored all 13 of his World Cup goals at the 1958 edition in Sweden. Mbappé now sits fourth on the all-time World Cup scoring list, level with West Germany's Gerd Müller, behind Brazil's Ronaldo (15) and joint record-holders Lionel Messi and Germany's Miroslav Klose, both on 16 — a mark he could realistically challenge before the group stage concludes.