Kylian Mbappe scores twice as France defeats Senegal in World Cup opener
Kylian Mbappe paid tribute to James Corden with a special celebration as France thumped Senegal in their opening World Cup match on Tuesday night, reports BritPanorama.
The France captain delivered a standout performance at the MetLife Stadium, netting two goals in a 3-1 victory that positioned him as the nation’s all-time leading goalscorer.
Mbappe began his scoring in the 66th minute with an improvised finish from within the penalty area, beating Senegalese goalkeeper Edouard Mendy. His signature folded-arms celebration followed his second goal, but it was his first goal celebration that captivated fans.
Upon scoring, the 27-year-old made the gesture of playing an imaginary flute. This playful act, later revealed to be a nod to a previous agreement with Corden, came after the forward discussed the differences in flute-playing skills during an appearance on Corden’s show. The tribute stemmed from Corden’s invitation for Mbappe to celebrate in this manner if he scored.
Corden, having previously joined Mbappe as he showcased his flute skills, reportedly encouraged the striker to use the flute gesture in his celebrations. Following the game, Mbappe kept his promise, demonstrating a flair for creativity on the pitch.
His second goal came with a powerful strike from distance, which subsequently made him France’s outright leading scorer, surpassing Olivier Giroud. France temporarily topped Group I with the win, although they were later overtaken by Norway, who secured a decisive 4-1 victory over Iraq.
Despite the pre-tournament scrutiny directed at him, with Mbappe expressing concern over public criticism, he maintained that such feedback does not impact his performance. “There’s no such thing as revenge,” he stated post-match, reinforcing his dedication to his country’s success rather than personal validation.
“If I started playing to silence all the people who criticise me, I’d have to play until I was 80. I play to make history for my country and to help my team reach the final and win the World Cup,” he added, emphasizing his commitment to his national team aspirations.
France’s next challenge comes on Monday as they face Iraq in a bid to solidify their path to the knockout stages. In what has already proven to be a tournament filled with surprises, Mbappe’s innovative flair and capacity to inspire could very well be pivotal as the competition progresses.
