France’s Kylian Mbappé celebrates after scoring the third goal during the World Cup Group A match between France and Senegal in East Rutherford, New Jersey, near New York, Tuesday, June 16, 2026. | Image source: AP
Kylian Mbappe He scored twice to move past Pele and Lionel Messi on 14 World Cup goals, Bradley Barkula added another and France rebounded from a surprisingly poor first half to beat Senegal 3-1 on Tuesday (June 16, 2026).
Mbappé took 14 touches in a scoreless first half, the fewest of any player, and then showed his brilliance when he put France ahead in the 66th minute. After Jules Kounde and Michael Olise twice exchanged passes on the right flank, Olise sent a diagonal pass to put Mbappé past Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly.
Mbappe turned the ball outside the 6-yard box and passed it past Edouard Mendy and inside the far post.
Barkola entered in the 80th minute and scored two minutes later when he received a through pass from Adrien Rabiot, touched the ball and lifted it past Mendy, scoring his fourth international goal.
Ibrahim Mbaye scored a goal for Senegal from a corner shot in the fifth minute of stoppage time. Mbappe then scored a stunning goal from long range a minute later, over Mendy’s outstretched arm and just under the crossbar.
Mbappe is one goal ahead of Messi and Just Fontaine on the World Cup scorers list, and is tied with Gerd Muller, behind Brazilian Ronaldo (15) and German Miroslav Klose (16). Mbappé also set a French record with 58 international goals, one more than Olivier Giroud.
In an attempt to reach the World Cup final for the third time in a row, France plays Iraq on Monday in Philadelphia, then concludes Group I on June 26 against Norway in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Senegal will meet Norway on Monday at MetLife, and conclude the first round by facing Iraq in Toronto.
Published – 17 June 2026 at 02:55 AM IST
