Kylian Mbappé sparks France with 2 goals in 3-1 win over Senegal at the World Cup

France shook themselves awake after a sleepy first half on Tuesday to beat Senegal 3-1 in the New York/New Jersey Stadium for a perfect start to their World Cup campaign.

Inevitably, it was France captain Kylian Mbappe who broke the deadlock, unlocking the Senegalese defence in the 66th minute for a record-equalling 57th goal for his country.

Substitute Bradley Barcola added a second, and Mbappe broke Olivier Giroud's record with his 58th France goal, thanks to a scorching strike from outside the box deep into added time, seconds after Ibrahim Mbaye's consolation strike for Senegal.

Norway won 4-1 in the match against Iraq later on Tuesday.

Mbappe's double puts him ahead of Brazil's legend Pele and Argentina's Lionel Messi in the World Cup all-time top scorers list.

He is now tied with Gerd Muller, trailing only Brazil's Ronaldo (15) and Germany's Miroslav Klose (16).

Mbappe also set a French record with 58 international goals, one more than Olivier Giroud.

Trying to reach its third straight World Cup final, France plays Iraq on Monday in Philadelphia, then closes Group I on June 26 against Norway at Foxborough, Massachusetts.

Senegal meets Norway on Monday at MetLife and finishes the first round against Iraq at Toronto.

__

Source: TRT