Mbappe double fires France to opening win over Senegal
EAST RUTHERFORD, United States: Kylian Mbappe scored twice as France launched their bid for a third World Cup crown with a 3-1 victory over Senegal in Group I on Tuesday. Real Madrid star Mbappe took his career World Cup goals tally to 14 — just two behind all-time leader Miroslav Klose — and Bradley Barcola was also on target as Les Bleus secured all three points for Didier Deschamps’ side. Mbappe darted across the penalty area to convert a brilliant Michael Olize pass on 66 minutes to break the deadlock in a contest in which France struggled badly in the first half, but came to life after the break. Barcola of Paris Saint-Germain then came off the bench to get the second late on, before his club colleague Ibrahim Mbaye pulled one back in stoppage time for Senegal. But Mbappe saved the best for last, as he blasted in from long range in the 96th minute to seal the win, and become France’s all-time top scorer with 58 goals. The decision by coach Didier Deschamps to move Olize infield from the right wing was crucial in swinging the game the way of the two-time World Cup winners. But it is Mbappe who grabbed the spotlight in what turned out to be a memorable 99th appearance for his country. Mbappe renewed his extraordinary love affair with the World Cup, in which he scored in the 2018 final as France won, and netted a stunning hat-trick in their defeat on penalties to Argentina in the 2022 final in Qatar. The 27-year-old Real Madrid striker’s double took him past Pele’s 12 and overtook the 13 of Lionel Messi and fellow Frenchman Just Fontaine. He is now level with Gerd Mueller in the overall list, with only Klose and the Brazilian Ronaldo (15) still ahead of him. France, one of the pre-tournament favorites, will be
