Kylian Mbappé claimed the French record for most international goals with two brilliant strikes as France burst to life in the second half and brushed aside Senegal 3-1 in Group I, starting their World Cup campaign in sumptuous fashion at the packed New York-New Jersey Stadium on Wednesday.
The France captain steered home a brilliant, angular pass from Michael Olise in the 66th minute to hand the lead after Senegal went close at least thrice in the first half and were both unlucky and lacked the finishing touch to stay level.
A disheartened Senegal struggled to focus and young forward Bradley Barcola dinked the second over goalkeeper Edouard Mendy after running on to a brilliant pass by Adrien Rabiot.
Senegal teenager Ibrahim Mbaye raced past two defenders and beat France goalkeeper at the near post in the fifth minute of stoppage time, but there was still enough minutes left for Mbappe to produce a sensational strike from well outside the penalty box.
It twin strikes took Mbappe, playing in the 99th game for his country, to 59 international goals and past former striker Olivier Giroud as France’s record goal-scorer.
Mbappé now has 14 World Cup goals, including the hat-trick in the 2022 Qatar final, which France lost to Argentina on penalties after a 3-3 draw at the end of extra time.
