By our reporter 17.6.2026
Senegal’s quest of shocking France again at the World Cup ended in a humbling 3-1 defeat with Kylian Mbappe scoring twice to become France’s highest goal scorer in the World Cup.
Senegal put up a brave fight in the first half at the MetLife Stadium, New Jersey but in the second half Mbappe broke their aim to repeat a famous 2-1 win posted over France at the 2002 Japan World Cup tournament.
The Real Madrid striker scored in the 66th minute and Bradley Barcola added the second goal in the 82nd minute. Ibrahim Mbaye pulled one back for Senegal, before Mbappe with a sensational long-range effort put in the third for France deep into stoppage time. The strike lifted him on to 58 goals for Les Bleus – one clear of former record holder Olivier Giroud.
It also brought his World Cup goal tally to 14 surpassing Lionel Messi’s 13 goal record.
Miroslav Klose (Germany): 16 goals
2. Ronaldo (Brazil): 15 goals
3. Kylian Mbappé (France): 14 goals
4. Gerd Müller (West Germany): 14 goals.
Speaking after the game Mbappe said: “It gives us a bit more peace of mind, although you’re never really relaxed at a World Cup.
“We’ve seen it with the other teams – winning is never easy. It wasn’t straightforward today but we know we’re capable of scoring at any moment.
“We have to stay calm and composed, stick to what we need to do, because everything happens so quickly at a World Cup. Now our focus shifts to the match against Iraq.”