Kylian Mbappé struck late as France opened their World Cup qualifying campaign with a 2-0 win over Ukraine in Wroclaw, drawing level with Thierry Henry on 51 international goals.

Michael Olise gave Les Bleus the perfect start with an early strike before Mbappé sealed the result in the 82nd minute, finishing off a swift counterattack created by Real Madrid teammate Aurélien Tchouaméni.

The 26-year-old now sits joint-second on France’s all-time scoring list alongside Henry, with only Olivier Giroud’s record of 57 ahead of him.“Big up to Titi (Henry)! But now I want to surpass him,” Mbappé told TF1. “It’s an honour to equal a player like Henry.

Everyone knows what he means to us French people, especially strikers. Reaching this milestone so early is crazy, but I like it. I want to keep going and, above all, win games and titles.”Giroud retired after Euro 2024, leaving Mbappé well-placed to chase him down, though the captain insists records are not his main focus.

“The record is getting closer, but it’s not something I think about. Being the top scorer in the history of the French national team is no small feat, but for me the priority is winning.”Mbappé has already lifted the 2018 World Cup and the 2020–21 Nations League with France since debuting in 2017.

Didier Deschamps’ men next face Iceland at the Parc des Princes on Tuesday in Group D.