Kylian Mbappé Scores Twice as France Defeats Senegal 3-1 in World Cup Clash
Mbappé netted two goals to surpass Pelé with 14 World Cup goals, celebrating by imitating a flutist as he had vowed, while Les Bleus triumphed over Senegal 3-1 on Tuesday in their World Cup debut.
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“Sure, in theory, he could have netted four or five goals, but we are pleased with just two,” remarked France’s coach Didier Deschamps.
Mbappé recorded 14 touches during the goalless first half, the lowest of any player, and then scored for France in the 66th minute. He sprinted past Senegal’s captain Kalidou Koulibaly, received a diagonal pass from Michael Olise, and slid the ball into the net past goalkeeper Édouard Mendy from just outside the 6-yard box.
Mbappé Shines with Brace in France’s 3-1 World Cup Victory Over Senegal
In a segment featuring Mbappé recorded on May 20 and shown Friday by U.S. network Fox, acclaimed actor and TV host James Corden proposed that the 27-year-old leading striker commemorate his next World Cup goal by mimicking a flute player. Mbappé learned to play the instrument for one or two years during his childhood at the request of his parents.
“I’m fine with him missing the first half again and scoring two goals in the second half of another game,” Deschamps stated.
Bradley Barcola increased the advantage in the 82nd minute, just two minutes after coming on, while Ibrahim Mbaye reduced the margin in the fifth minute of added time. Mbappé netted a spectacular right-footed goal from 30 yards just 68 seconds later. The ball soared beautifully between Mendy’s extended left arm and the crossbar.
“A crazy goal,” commented French defender William Saliba.
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Mbappé became the all-time leading goal scorer for France with 58 goals, surpassing Olivier Giroud by one.
“Occasionally, he might miss a game or two, but in a single moment, he can truly sway the outcome and lead his team to victory,” Deschamps stated. “People claim he lacks defensive skills.” “Indeed, he isn’t present to justify himself.”
Mbappé dismissed his detractors.
“It’s not about payback,” he mentioned. “If I began performing for everyone who critiques me just to quiet them, I’d have to perform until I turned 80.”
Aiming for their third consecutive World Cup final, France will face Iraq on Monday in Philadelphia, and then finish Group I against Norway on June 26 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Senegal faces Norway on Monday at MetLife Stadium and concludes the initial round against Iraq in Toronto.
Due to visa denial by the U.S. government, fans in Senegal found their support for the Lions of Teranga restricted to just a few sections in the southwest corner of MetLife on a sunny afternoon of 77 degrees Fahrenheit (25 degrees Celsius).
