FIFA World Cup 2026: Mbappe Overtakes Pele, Moves Into Third on All-Time Goals List

Kylian Mbappe added another chapter to his remarkable international career with a match-winning brace as France defeated Senegal 3-1 in their FIFA World Cup 2026 encounter. The victory not only strengthened France's credentials as title contenders but also saw Mbappe climb to third place on the tournament's all-time goalscoring chart while becoming his country's highest-ever scorer.

Mbappe Leads France Past Resilient Senegal

Senegal pushed France throughout a competitive first half and kept the contest evenly balanced for much of the match. However, the breakthrough arrived shortly after the hour mark when Michael Olise threaded a precise pass into Mbappe, who calmly slotted home to give Les Bleus the lead.

France extended their advantage in the 79th minute through Bradley Barcola. The Paris Saint-Germain forward, introduced from the bench, showed composure to lift the ball over goalkeeper Edouard Mendy and make it 2-0.

Senegal responded through Ibrahim Mbaye, who reduced the deficit and briefly reignited hopes of a comeback. But France sealed the result in stoppage time when Mbappe surged forward and unleashed a spectacular 30-yard strike into the top corner, capping off an impressive performance.

Mbappe Climbs World Cup Scoring Rankings

The French captain's brace took his World Cup tally to 14 goals, moving him level with Germany legend Gerd Muller and into outright third place on the competition's all-time scoring list. Only Miroslav Klose, with 16 goals, and Brazil icon Ronaldo, with 15, now stand ahead of him.

Mbappe entered the match level with football great Pele on 12 World Cup goals. His two-goal display allowed him to move clear of the Brazilian legend and strengthen his place among the tournament's greatest goalscorers.

France's New Record Goalscorer

The Real Madrid star also reached another major milestone by taking his international tally to 58 goals. That achievement saw him surpass Olivier Giroud's mark of 57 goals and become France's all-time leading scorer.

Mbappe has now found the net in three successive World Cups and continues to be one of the standout players of the 2026 tournament.

His growing World Cup legacy already includes a place in history from the 2022 final in Qatar, when he became only the second player after Geoff Hurst in 1966 to score a hat-trick in a World Cup final during France's dramatic 3-3 draw with Argentina.

(With inputs from ANI)