2026 World Cup: Kylian Mbappé Makes History Twice, but with a Bone to Pick
Kylian Mbappé is etching his name even more firmly into French history. On Tuesday evening (Italian time), the captain of Les Bleus played a decisive role in his team’s victory over Senegal, scoring a brace in the 3-1 win that also marked his debut at the 2026 World Cup. His two goals, however, also allowed him to break two all-time records: with 58 career goals, he surpassed Olivier Giroud—the former national team scoring leader who finished with 57—as well as the 14 goals Just Fontaine had scored in World Cups. In fact, he now has 15.
It’s a great source of satisfaction, especially since it came after he’d faced some criticism. “For me, there’s no question of redemption,” Mbappé said after the match. If I had to play just to respond to or silence all the people who criticize me, I’d retire at 80. But I play to leave my mark on my country’s history and help France win and claim the World Cup. In any case, we must always stay clear-headed and focused, whether the fans are cheering us on or booing us. This match against Senegal was just the first game of the group stage. And even though it’s always good to get off to a strong start in the World Cup, I don’t think we’re completely on track yet.”
The criticism Mbappé refers to had gained traction in recent weeks, fueled by his below-par performances with Real Madrid and the friendly loss to Ivory Coast in Nantes. Ousmane Dembélé, the reigning Ballon d’Or winner, had come to the captain’s defense, writing in *Marca* that it was a full-blown witch hunt: “The criticism directed at him is very, very unfair. Some people really go overboard with Kylian. As his friend, I can’t help but step in personally to defend him. Whether he ties his shoes or not, whether he pulls up his socks or not… it’s all become too much. At the end of the day, he’s still a human being.” Tonight’s two-goal performance seems to have proven the PSG forward right.
From a strictly technical standpoint, the victory on paper wasn’t as easy as the final score might suggest. France ended the first half with just one shot on goal—which, incidentally, didn’t even hit the frame—an unprecedented statistic since Opta began tracking these numbers in 1966. Senegal had come close to taking the lead with a spectacular shot by Jackson that hit the post and a save by Maignan—made with his heel, no less—before Mané and Sarr squandered two more excellent chances. The turning point came in the 66th minute with Mbappé’s first goal off a through ball from Olise; Barcola then doubled the lead in the 82nd minute, and after Mbaye briefly pulled one back to make it 2-1 in the 95th minute, the captain sealed the victory with a spectacular strike from outside the box.
The victory allows Les Bleus to get off on the right foot in Group I, which promises to be anything but a foregone conclusion. For Didier Deschamps, who will treat this World Cup as his final adventure at the helm of the French national team, it was a hard-fought but valuable debut. France will now face Iraq and Norway, while Senegal will take on the same opponents in reverse order. The first group match to take center stage is Iraq vs. Norway, with Erling Haaland’s Norwegians heavy favorites against the Lions of Mesopotamia, who are back at the World Cup for the first time since 1986.
