France’s 2-0 victory over Ukraine of their opening 2026 World Cup qualifier was about extra than simply three factors. It was about historical past. Kylian Mbappe, captain and talisman, moved degree with Thierry Henry’s iconic scoring file, marking a milestone that locations him inside touching distance of Olivier Giroud’s all-time tally. However what struck most followers wasn’t simply the objective, nor the file—it was Mbappe’s emotional six-word response after the sport that confirmed how a lot the second really meant to him.
Didier Deschamps’ facet started their marketing campaign in Wroclaw with depth. Michael Olise opened the scoring within the tenth minute, slotting residence a Bradley Barcola help with composure. The early strike gave France management, although Ukraine threatened by Ivan Kalyuzhnyi, whose effort compelled a goal-line clearance from Ibrahima Konate, and Illia Zabarnyi, who struck Mike Maignan’s put up.
Regardless of these moments of hazard, Les Bleus’ assault saved probing. Olise almost added a second, whereas Ousmane Dembele examined Anatoliy Trubin. But it might take Mbappe to offer the knockout blow.
With eight minutes left, the Actual Madrid star produced the second of the night time. Racing onto an Aurelien Tchouameni through-ball, he brushed previous Zabarnyi and rifled a low shot into the nook. The objective sealed France’s win, however its significance stretched far past the scoreline. It was Mbappe’s 51st worldwide objective, pulling him degree with Thierry Henry because the nation’s second-highest scorer. Crucially, he achieved the feat in simply 91 appearances, far faster than Henry’s 123. Now, solely Olivier Giroud, at 57, stays forward.
What did Mbappe say after the sport?
Talking to TF1 after the match, Mbappe revealed what the file meant to him. His six-word reflection summed it up completely: “It’s an honor to go degree.” Increasing additional, he stated: “Everybody is aware of what Thierry Henry represents for us Frenchmen, significantly strikers. He opened up a path. He accomplished gigantic feats. I’ve plenty of admiration and respect for him.”
The striker made clear that whereas equaling Henry was particular, the journey just isn’t over. “Massive up for Titi! However I wish to transcend it now… To be France’s all-time file goalscorer, that’d be one thing.”
File inside attain
Giroud’s tally of 57 targets is now simply six away, a niche Mbappe might realistically shut within the coming months. Remarkably, he has already scored 3 times in France’s final three matches.
But Mbappe downplayed any obsession with the file. “It’s not one thing I take into consideration. I don’t know if it’s as a result of I feel I can beat it or as a result of I feel there are extra necessary issues, however to be France’s all-time file goalscorer, that’d be one thing.” For him, successful stays the precedence: “To succeed in this quantity so early is out of this world. I wish to proceed and, above all, win matches and titles.”
