In their opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, France faced a challenging first half against Senegal. However, the team rallied in the second half, clinching a 3-1 victory on Tuesday.

Kylian Mbappe, last tournament’s Golden Boot winner, made significant contributions to France’s success. Michael Olise set up a brilliant opportunity for Mbappe, who netted the ball in the 66th minute. Mbappe added another goal during stoppage time, securing the win for Les Bleus.

Mbappe’s performance broke numerous records. He surpassed Olivier Giroud to become the all-time leading goal scorer for the French national team with 58 goals, as noted by ESPN Insights. Additionally, as reported by The Athletic, Mbappe became the first player to achieve five two-goal matches in World Cup history.

By scoring his 14th goal on the World Cup stage, Mbappe surpassed legends like France’s Just Fontaine and Argentina’s Lionel Messi, who both stand at 13 goals. There is anticipation that he may overtake Miroslav Klose of Germany and Brazil’s Ronaldo by the tournament’s conclusion.

Other factors contribute to assessing World Cup greatness beyond goals, yet Mbappe’s record remains remarkable, achieving 14 goals in three World Cups compared to Messi’s tally over six tournaments. The ongoing World Cup is crucial for Mbappe’s legacy, especially following past victories and defeats.

Mbappe’s rise began in the 2018 World Cup, where France won its first title since 1998. In the 2022 final, Argentina, led by Messi, defeated France on penalties, despite Mbappe’s hat trick.

This tournament holds immense significance for Mbappe, shaping how he will be remembered in the future. Expressing his aspirations, Mbappe told FOX’s Jenny Taft, “At the end of the day, you need to feel this pressure to do something special. It’s my objective, it’s my goal, when I wear this jersey to put my country at the top of the world.”