News Focus
- Kylian Mbappé scores his 57th and 58th international goals to become France’s record scorer in a 3-1 World Cup opener victory against Senegal
- Ousmane Dembélé endures a difficult evening in the number 10 position, managing only 40 touches throughout the match
- Michael Olise establishes himself as Mbappé’s ideal creative partner, effectively replacing the retired Antoine Griezmann
- Didier Deschamps must decide whether to continue the Dembélé experiment or prioritise the Mbappé-Olise connection against Iraq
Kylian Mbappé has written his name into French football history. The captain struck twice during Les Bleus’ 3-1 World Cup opening win over Senegal, taking his tally to 57 and 58 goals for the national team. These efforts moved him past Olivier Giroud as France’s all-time leading marksman.
The forward maintains that his performance was not an act of “revenge” against critics. He joked that proving every doubter wrong would require him to play until he reached 80 years of age. Even so, his brace served as a firm response to recent questioning of his form.
Mbappé rarely limits his voice to the pitch. Prior to Euro 2024, he publicly condemned far-right political movements, declaring that he wished to represent a nation aligned with his values. Former French star Michel Platini criticised this stance, urging players to remain politically neutral. However, manager Didier Deschamps supports his captain, explaining that Mbappé speaks on behalf of the entire squad.
Public opinion polls suggest Mbappé’s popularity has fallen since his departure from Paris Saint-Germain two years ago. The player recognises this shift, once remarking that he is already “hated enough” without considering a future political career.
On the field, Mbappé requires the right support. His partnership with Ousmane Dembélé appears awkward. Although Dembélé thrives as a number nine for his club, Mbappé occupies that central role for France. When deployed as a number ten in recent matches against Northern Ireland and Senegal, Dembélé struggled to influence play. He touched the ball just 40 times against Senegal, fewer than any teammate bar Mbappé himself.
France failed to produce a single shot on target during the first half against Senegal. The attack lacked creativity and width, with Dembélé, Michael Olise and Désiré Doué crowding the same central areas.
In contrast, Olise seems perfectly suited to Mbappé’s needs. The Bayern Munich winger operates like a quarterback, delivering precise passes that find Mbappé’s runs. For the opening goal against Senegal, Olise threaded a through-ball while Dembélé had suggested a safer backwards pass. This moment captured their different instincts.
Olise effectively replaces Antoine Griezmann, who assisted Mbappé more times than any other international colleague. Following Griezmann’s retirement from national duty, Olise fills the creative void. Their combination finally unlocked the Senegal defence after an hour of frustration.
Deschamps now faces tough selection choices. He preferred the technically gifted Doué to Bradley Barcola from the start, but this sacrificed direct running. Barcola’s immediate impact from the bench, including a goal, suggests he stretches defences more effectively.
Nevertheless, the evidence against Dembélé in the number ten role appears conclusive. While the group stage permits experimentation, France should use their next match against Iraq to strengthen the Mbappé-Olise axis. This partnership offers the best route to World Cup glory.
Mbappé, preparing for his 100th cap, has also surpassed Just Fontaine’s record for World Cup goals, reaching 14 in total. At 27, he is evolving into the traditional number nine that France has lacked since Giroud’s retirement. He serves as the exclamation mark at the end of moves.
This transformation means he depends heavily on service from creative players. Olise provides this link naturally. The success of France’s campaign may rest on this dual partnership, leaving Dembélé’s place in the side looking increasingly uncertain.