Mbappé hits double as France gets campaign off to flying start

France's Kylian Mbappe scores the opening goal of his team during the World Cup Group I soccer match between France and Senegal in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York. (AP )

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J., June 17 (AP): Kylian Mbappé passed Pelé on the World Cup goal-scoring list and moved into first in the record books for France's national team.

Mbappé scored his 13th and 14th World Cup goals in France's 3-1 tournament-opening victory against Senegal. Those were his 57th and 58th playing internationally, tying and passing Oliver Giroud for the most in the country's rich history.

"I play to make history with my country and help my team win the World Cup,” Mbappé said in French, adding that he was thinking of his family, friends and loved ones when he scored.

Mbappé first scored in the 66th minute after having several quality scoring chances denied by goalkeeper Édouard Mendy, including earlier in the second half. He scored again from long range in the sixth minute of stoppage time, mere seconds after Senegal got its first goal.

"It was crazy,” France defender William Saliba said. "We just conceded the first goal for Senegal, and just one minute after, we scored a banger. I was so happy. Yeah, a crazy goal.”

Mbappé's second goal broke a tie with Pelé. He celebrated by mimicking playing a flute, after comedian James Corden suggested that on his Fox show.

After scoring his second of the afternoon to pass countryman Just Fontaine, the 27-year-old playing in his third World Cup is now tied with Germany’s Gerd Müller for the fourth most in tournament history. Mbappé is one behind Brazil's Ronaldo and two away from the record of 16 held by Miroslav Klose of Germany and Lionel Messi, who had a hat trick for Argentina hours later to match that mark.

"Of course, I think he has everything to beat the World Cup (record),” Saliba said. "I hope he is going to do it in this tournament because for sure he has everything, and I’m sure that he will do it.”

France coach Didier Deschamps liked what he saw from Mbappé even before putting the ball in the net.