New Jersey – Kylian Mbappé 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.
The Real Madrid forward took his World Cup goals tally to 14, just two behind all-time leader Miroslav Klose, as Bradley Barcola also struck to help Les Bleus secure all three points for Didier Deschamps' side.
Mbappé darted across the penalty area to convert a brilliant Michael Olise pass on 66 minutes and break the deadlock in a contest in which France struggled in the first half before coming to life after the break.
Barcola of Paris Saint-Germain then came off the bench to add the second late on, before his club colleague Ibrahim Mbaye pulled one back in stoppage time for Senegal.
Mbappé had the final word, blasting in from long range in the 96th minute to seal the win and become France's all-time top scorer with 58 goals.
Mbappe makes history
The decision by Deschamps to move Olise infield from the right wing was crucial in swinging the game in favour of the two-time world champions.
But it was Mbappé who grabbed the spotlight in what proved a memorable 99th appearance for his country.
The 27-year-old renewed his extraordinary World Cup record, having scored in the 2018 final as France lifted the trophy and netted a hat-trick in their penalty shootout defeat to Argentina in the 2022 final in Qatar.
His double took him past Pele's tally of 12 and beyond the 13 of Lionel Messi and fellow Frenchman Just Fontaine. He is now level with Gerd Mueller, with only Klose and Brazilian Ronaldo, on 15, ahead of him.
France, one of the pre-tournament favourites, will be expected to build on this result as they look to advance from the group stage, with outsiders Iraq next up before a meeting with Erling Haaland's Norway.
Deschamps, approaching his final tournament before stepping down after 14 years in charge, has been wary of overconfidence in his talented squad.
Senegal served as a reminder of what can go wrong. France entered the 2002 World Cup as holders and favourites, only to lose 1-0 to the Lions of Teranga in the opening game and exit in the group stage without scoring.
Olise turns the tide
Senegal demonstrated their quality before a packed house of 80,545 at the MetLife Stadium, with the Manhattan skyline visible in bright sunshine beyond the areana.
A side led by veteran forward Sadio Mané, and featuring four players born in France, were playing their first competitive match since winning the Africa Cup of Nations final in Morocco in January.
The Confederation of African Football (Caf), which organises the competition, stripped them of the title for a walk-off protest by several players during the match.
The Senegalese football federation has appealed against Caf's decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Senegal were the better side in the first half. Nicolas Jackson almost broke the deadlock on 25 minutes, breaking away and hitting the post before the ball came back off goalkeeper Mike Maignan and went just wide. Ismaila Sarr then put a glorious chance over the bar in stoppage time, and Senegal would come to regret both misses.
Deschamps responded at the interval, switching Olise and Ousmane Dembélé, with the reigning Ballon d'Or winner moving to the right and vacating the central area behind Mbappé for the Bayern Munich maestro.
France came to life immediately. Olise was denied by Edouard Mendy before setting up Mbappé for a chance that was saved. France felt they had a penalty on the hour when Mbappé went down under a Mané challenge, but referee Alireza Faghani declined to award a spot-kick after a review.
It mattered little. Olise continued to cause problems and slipped in Mbappé for the opener, a superb finish that settled French nerves. Adrien Rabiot then released substitute Barcola to run through and make it two.
Mbaye reduced the deficit on 95 minutes, but Mbappé ensured there would be no late drama.
(with newswires)
