Kylian Mbappe broke France's all-time international scoring record as Les Bleus came from a sluggish start to beat Senegal 3-1 in their World Cup opener at MetLife Stadium. Mbappe scored twice either side of a Bradley Barcola strike, taking him to 58 international goals — the most by any France player in history, and now within two of Miroslav Klose's all-time World Cup scoring record of 16. A dreary opening hour gave way to a thrilling final half-hour as France finally found their rhythm.
THE FIRST HALF — SENEGAL'S BEST SPELL
This was not the France performance many had expected from one of the tournament favourites. Senegal, appearing in their fourth World Cup and missing N'Golo Kante's old foil in midfield for France, were the better side for long periods of the first half. Ismaila Sarr missed the game's best opportunity, blazing over from close range when clean through on goal. The half ended scoreless, with both sets of fans inside MetLife Stadium — heavily populated by both blue and green-clad supporters on a beautiful New York afternoon — wondering whether this would be a repeat of Senegal's famous 1-0 upset of defending champions France at the 2002 World Cup, also their opening match that year.
THE GOALS
France finally broke through in the 66th minute. Mbappe, growing increasingly influential as the game wore on, found space in the box and finished with characteristic composure to give France the lead. The goal settled the French captain and seemed to unlock the rest of the team.
Substitute Bradley Barcola, on for Ousmane Dembele, doubled the lead in the 82nd minute — Adrien Rabiot the architect with an incisive pass that Barcola finished with confidence. France looked to be cruising toward a comfortable win.
Senegal had other ideas. Ibrahima Mbaye scored deep into stoppage time — the 90+5th minute — assisted by Iliman Ndiaye, to give Senegal a glimmer of hope and a respectable scoreline. It lasted barely sixty seconds. France responded immediately through Mbappe, who collected a pass from Michael Olise and finished with his second of the night in the 90+6th minute to make the final score 3-1 and put the game beyond doubt.
THE NUMBERS
France: 49% possession, 11 shots, 8 on target. Senegal: 44% possession, 6 shots, 2 on target. Olise: 2 assists. Mbappe: 2 goals, now 58 for France — the all-time record. France scored 2 goals inside the penalty area and 1 outside; Senegal scored 0 inside and 1 outside.
WHAT IT MEANS
France move to three points in Group I, alongside the late kick-off between Iraq and Norway. Mbappe, asked afterwards about facing Senegal — the nation of his family heritage — played down any notion of personal revenge, focusing instead on the team result. Didier Deschamps' successor as France boss will be relieved with the result, even if concerned about the sluggish opening hour. Senegal, despite the defeat, showed they can trouble one of the tournament favourites and will take confidence from their first-half performance into their next group game.