06/16/26 03:45:00
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06/16 15:43 CDT France striker Kylian Mbapp scores his 13th World Cup goal,
breaking a tie with Pel
France striker Kylian Mbapp scores his 13th World Cup goal, breaking a tie
with Pel
By STEPHEN WHYNO
AP Sports Writer
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) --- Kylian Mbapp scored his 13th World Cup goal on
Tuesday, one more than Pel, to move the France forward into a tie for the
fourth most in tournament history.
Mbapp scored in the 66th minute of France's World Cup opener against Senegal
after having several good scoring chances denied earlier, including in the
second half, by goalkeeper douard Mendy. His 57th goal for the national team
also equals Olivier Giroud's French record.
Playing in his third World Cup, the 27-year-old Mbapp matched Argentina's
Lionel Messi and France's Just Fontaine. Mbapp is a goal away from tying
Germany's Gerd Mller and two behind Brazil's Ronaldo. Germany's Miroslav Klose
has the record with 16 World Cup goals.
Mbapp helped France win the World Cup in 2018 and reach the final in 2022,
when he was awarded the Silver Ball as the second-best player. Joined up front
by Dsir Dou and reigning Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembl, France went in
as the co-favorite along with Spain.
The goal came after Mbapp had little trouble finding room between Senegal
defenders several times in the first 14 or so minutes. He was sloppy with the
ball for much of the rest of the first half before he and his teammates started
to mesh.
Mbapp scored 25 goals this past season with Real Madrid.
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AP World Cup: https://apnews.com/fifa-world-cup
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