Read 6 minutesNew JerseyUpdated: June 17, 2026 07:03 AM IST
For just three seconds, Kylian Mbappe Suspended the game’s own memory. About his day’s troubles, his detachment from the game, the feeling of a stranger trapped in his shirt. Then instinct kicked in, muscle memory took over with robotic precision. When the excellent Michael Ollis threw a pass to his side, he swung and opened his body, carved out space to get around the ball with his right foot and dribbled it past the lunging Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy into the net.
The goal in the 66th minute was Mbappe’s moment of redemption. and of France. The exact moment when the liar became the original. It is a sign of greatness to remember the hardships of the day, not to be haunted by the past, not to be disillusioned by the evening, and to elevate oneself and one’s country at the right moment. His own mood changed, from sullen to cheerful. Curb the festivities; He turned around, found the hostage’s face in the blue waves, and thanked him. The game changed with Olis being moved from the right behind Mbappe for more link-up play. A rendition of Alez Les Bleus regained its roaring note. The sun seemed a little less harsh; The frothing liquid in the hands of the fans got a little sweeter. From impetuous stragglers, France emerged as tournament frontrunners. Sixteen minutes later, Bradley Barcola scored the second goal. But it was not afternoon. There was a twist and a bolter from Mbappe.
Ibrahim Mbaye reduced the deficit in the fourth minute of stoppage time and the match became colorful. Senegal tried to equalize. The suspense simmered, but Mbappé countered with a thunderous finish from 30 yards. A short that looks like an ax hitting a tree. The ball cut through the air, spun late and cannoned into the net. A completely liberated Mbappe struck a statuesque pose near the dugouts. An aura burned around him. In the blue shirt of France, he scored in just his third World Cup. Preparations for the World Cup are underway. He became the only player to bag a brace in five games in the tournament. He is just three behind Miroslav Klose’s all-time record. And he is only 27 years old.
France’s Kylian Mbappe scored his first goal during the World Cup. (AP Photo)
When the final whistle blew, the scoreline flattering France and masking the countless nervous moments they had endured, Mbappe ran into a port near the corner flag and blew kisses to the crowd. A day that started with so much sadness ended in happiness.
The mood was very different when the half-time whistle blew, a continuation of his troubled season at Real Madrid. With the merciless evening sun beating down on his eyes, Mbappe entered the high tunnel that led to the locker room. His face was half buried in his shirt, as if he was ashamed of himself. In the company of the support staff, he shook hands with emotion. His mind was not in the moment. She was wandering, drifting, running through the ordeal of the first half.
He was like a dancer who took to the stage in a nimble astronaut’s boot. The touch was maddeningly heavy, the movements labored, as if he were bound by an imaginary rope. He was always on the wrong side at the wrong time. This was horribly revealed when a delightful ball slipped into Mbappe’s eye line with Ousmane Dembele the lone goalkeeper. But he overran the ball and instead of letting it go naturally to his right foot, he tried to collect it on the outside of his right foot. A clunky touch facilitated quick approval. In another instance, he tried to link-up with Desire Dew, who was running to his left. They passed him barely five yards. There was such a weak connection. He almost gift-wrapped Senegal before the break in the first half.
Kylian Mbappe in action. (AP Photo)
The touch brought him down again and his marker El Hadji Malik Diouf grabbed the ball and headed towards the French half, where Nicholas Jackson collected, spun past two defenders and fired the ball to the bottom of the near post. The rebound found French goalkeeper Mike Mignon in his own net. Mbappe, half-hidden, looked up at the sky in despair. The New Jersey sun barbecuing half the arena was unkind to him. His frustration only grew as the half unfolded after the break. France would have had more to think about at the break if Ismail Sir had not side-stepped a goalmouth agape from eight yards into the top tire of the stands.
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In the 57th minute he broke into half a smile. He had the first shot on goal, which was expertly parried by Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy. Two minutes later came a burst of speed that almost led to a penalty. Mbappe was determined, and the referee, after reviewing the pitch-side monitor, appeared to give a signal, adding to Mbappe’s agony. But it was a goal kick. Then came his moment of salvation.