Photo File: France’s forward #10 Kylian Mbappe

In a thrilling display of footballing prowess, French forward Kylian Mbappé has equalled the legendary Thierry Henry’s goal record for the national team, scoring his 51st international goal during France’s 2-0 triumph over Ukraine in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying fixture played on Friday night. The match, which took place under the floodlights of Stade de France, saw Les Bleus tighten their grip on the summit of Group C, with Mbappé’s late strike sealing the win and etching his name deeper into the annals of French football history.

The 26-year-old Paris-born striker found the back of the net in the 82nd minute, calmly slotting home after a well-worked build-up, bringing his total tally to 51 goals in 74 appearances for France. This milestone places him level with Arsenal icon Thierry Henry, who held the second-highest scoring record for France for over a decade. Only Olivier Giroud remains ahead with 57 goals, a figure that now looks increasingly within reach for Mbappé, whose scoring consistency has become a hallmark of his international career.

Earlier in the match, France took the lead through Michael Olise, the Crystal Palace midfielder who opened the scoring in the 10th minute with a composed finish following a defensive lapse from the Ukrainian backline. Despite Ukraine’s attempts to claw their way back into the game, they struggled to create meaningful chances, with France dominating possession and dictating the tempo throughout the encounter.

Mbappé’s rise to prominence has been nothing short of meteoric. Since making his debut for the national team in 2017, he has evolved into the face of French football, dazzling fans with his pace, technique, and clinical finishing. His breakout moment came during the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, where he scored four goals—including a memorable strike in the final against Croatia—as France lifted their second world title. Four years later, at the 2022 edition in Qatar, Mbappé further solidified his superstar status by finishing as the tournament’s top scorer with eight goals, including a dramatic hat-trick in the final against Argentina.

With Henry’s record now matched, all eyes will be on Mbappé as France prepare to face Georgia in their next qualifier on Tuesday. Should he find the net again, he will move into outright second place on France’s all-time scoring chart, edging closer to Giroud’s record and further cementing his legacy as one of the greatest to ever wear the blue jersey.