KYLIAN Mbappe became France’s all-time leading goalscorer with a superb double, while Erling Haaland scored twice on his World Cup debut as France and Norway opened their campaigns with victories over Senegal and Iraq respectively.
News Point Nigeria Sport reports that Mbappe produced a match-winning performance in New Jersey, helping Les Bleus secure a 3-1 victory over Senegal, while Haaland inspired Norway to a 4-1 triumph over Iraq in Boston as both European sides made strong starts to their World Cup journeys.
Mbappe broke Senegal’s resistance in the second half with a low strike before rifling home a sensational long-range effort deep into stoppage time. The Real Madrid forward’s second goal took his tally to 58 goals for France, moving him one clear of former record holder Olivier Giroud and cementing his place in Les Bleus history.
Bradley Barcola had earlier doubled France’s advantage after the breakthrough, but Ibrahim Mbaye briefly revived Senegal’s hopes when he pulled a goal back. However, Mbappe’s second goal of the night extinguished any hopes of a comeback and secured all three points for Didier Deschamps’ men.
Despite the final scoreline, France endured a difficult first half and were fortunate not to fall behind. Senegal created the better opportunities and looked the more dangerous side for long periods. Nicolas Jackson came closest when his low strike cannoned off the base of the post before rebounding off goalkeeper Mike Maignan’s foot and rolling narrowly wide.
The Lions of Teranga squandered another golden opportunity just before halftime when Ismaila Sarr failed to direct his close-range effort on target after meeting a cross from Sadio Mane.
France returned after the interval with greater urgency and were involved in a controversial penalty incident when Mane appeared to catch Mbappe inside the box. Referee Alireza Faghani initially awarded a corner and, despite reviewing the incident on the pitchside monitor after a VAR intervention, concluded that Mbappe had initiated the contact, denying France a penalty.
The decision ultimately had little impact as Mbappe responded in emphatic fashion to guide France to victory. Speaking afterward, Deschamps praised his captain’s influence.
“People will still criticise him,” the France coach said. “He can from time to time miss a game or two but on one action he really is able to tip the scales and bring his team to victory.
“People say he doesn’t defend enough – well, he isn’t here to defend. He is only 27, from the first day on, before he scored the two goals today, he does a lot for the group as a captain.
“I am happy for him. He wanted to score in a real match and especially this match with a global audience, he has a real aura.”
Elsewhere, Haaland marked his long-awaited World Cup debut with two goals as Norway defeated Iraq 4-1 in Group I, ending a 28-year wait for an appearance at football’s biggest tournament.
The Manchester City striker took his international tally to 57 goals in just 51 appearances and came close to becoming only the 55th player to score a World Cup hat-trick before being denied late on by Iraq goalkeeper Jalal Hassan.
Making their first World Cup appearance in 40 years, Iraq showed little sign of nerves and competed strongly in the opening stages. However, the breakthrough arrived just 58 seconds after the first-half hydration break when David Moller Wolfe delivered a low cross from the left and Haaland slid in at the far post to score.
Iraq responded admirably and deservedly equalised in the 39th minute through Aymen Hussein, whose powerful downward header from Amir Al-Ammari’s cross beat the Norwegian goalkeeper. Hussein had previously secured Iraq’s qualification with the winner in the intercontinental playoff final against Bolivia in March.
The parity lasted only four minutes. Veteran goalkeeper Jalal Hassan hesitated while dealing with a back-pass inside his own six-yard box, allowing Haaland to charge down his clearance. The ball ricocheted into the net to restore Norway’s lead.
Even after conceding, Iraq finished the first half strongly. Ibrahim Bayesh saw a volley deflected wide, Ali Al-Hamadi was denied by Kristoffer Ajer inside the box, while Akam Hashim narrowly missed with a stunning 20-yard volley.
The second half also produced a historic moment as Manchester-born Zidan Iqbal became the first player of Pakistani heritage to feature in a men’s World Cup after coming on as a substitute for Iraq.
Norway eventually pulled clear when substitute Leo Ostigard headed home a Martin Odegaard corner in the 76th minute. Deep into stoppage time, Haaland’s looping header across goal was inadvertently turned into his own net by Hussein, completing a convincing Norwegian victory.
News Point Nigeria reports that the result marked the first victory by a European nation over Asian Football Confederation opposition at the fifth attempt in the tournament, while Iraq’s defeat extended their wait for a first-ever World Cup point.
Attention now shifts to the next round of Group I fixtures, where Iraq will face France in Philadelphia on June 22 following Les Bleus’ 3-1 victory over Senegal. Norway, meanwhile, will take on Senegal in a potentially decisive encounter at New York New Jersey Stadium on June 23 as the race for qualification intensifies.