The 27-year-old Real Madrid forward now stands alone as France's all-time leading scorer after a second-half masterclass in New Jersey.

Kylian Mbappé etched his name deeper into footballing history with a breathtaking brace that propelled France to a 3-1 victory over Senegal in their World Cup Group I opener at MetLife Stadium.

The Real Madrid forward's two goals took his international tally to 58, moving him clear of Olivier Giroud as France's record goalscorer. His second strike, a curling effort from 30 yards deep into stoppage time, has already been hailed as the goal of the tournament so far.

France's Second-Half Surge

For 45 minutes, Senegal looked the more dangerous side. Nicolas Jackson struck the post in the 25th minute, the ball rebounding off goalkeeper Mike Maignan's heel and bouncing to safety. Ismaila Sarr then blazed over the bar just before half-time, a miss that would prove costly.

France emerged transformed after the break. Didier Deschamps switched Michael Olise into a more central role, giving the Crystal Palace playmaker greater influence. Olise's pinpoint pass found Mbappé just past the hour mark, and the French captain made no mistake with the finish.

"It's relief. We did have some apprehension," Deschamps said through a translator. "It's always great to start with a win."

Bradley Barcola added a second in the 79th minute, dinking the ball over Senegal goalkeeper Édouard Mendy shortly after coming off the bench. Ibrahim Mbaye pulled one back for the African champions with a stunning individual effort in the 84th minute, but Mbappé's spectacular strike in the fifth minute of stoppage time sealed the result.

Climbing the World Cup Charts

Mbappé's double moved him level with West Germany legend Gerd Muller on 14 World Cup goals, placing him third in the all-time rankings behind Miroslav Klose and Lionel Messi, who have 16 each.

The 27-year-old has now scored in three successive World Cups and became only the second player after England's Geoff Hurst to score a hat-trick in a World Cup final during the 2022 showdown against Argentina.

"I'm very happy to be able to write a bit more the history of my country," Mbappé said. "It's always what I have wanted to do. But I will have  time to think about this kind of things later when I stop playing."

Senegal's Missed Opportunity

Pape Thiaw's side had reasons for optimism despite the defeat. They were the better side for much of the first half, registering five shots to France's one. But their failure to capitalise on early chances ultimately proved decisive.

The heat of New Jersey appeared to take its toll on Senegal's ageing spine. Idrissa Gana Gueye, 36, faded in the second half, while captain Kalidou Koulibaly, returning from injury, looked increasingly ragged as the game wore on. Sadio Mane, 34, uncharacteristically lost possession on six separate occasions, more than any other player on the pitch.

The 'Youngster' Threat

Bright spots emerged in the form of 19-year-old substitute Ibrahim Mbaye, whose goal offered a glimpse of Senegal's future. The Paris Saint-Germain youngster flummoxed French defenders with clever footwork before thumping a finish into the roof of the net.

"It would be too reactionary to suggest Mane's failure ought to prompt Thiaw to drop his talisman," observed analysts, "but he must at least consider giving more prominence to the lightning teenager."

What Lies Ahead

France, seeking their third straight World Cup final appearance, next face Iraq on Monday in Philadelphia before closing Group I against Norway in Foxborough on June 26.

Senegal face a must-win encounter against Norway at MetLife Stadium on Monday, with Koulibaly, Gueye, and Mane needing to recover quickly if the Lions are to keep their knockout stage hopes alive.

Mbappé, who scored 25 goals this past season with Real Madrid, dismissed suggestions of personal revenge against critics.

"I play to mark the history of my country and make sure that my team is in the final and win the World Cup," he said. "There is no revenge. If I started playing for all the people who criticise me and to shut them up, I would have to play until I'm 80."