French football sensation Kylian Mbappé has broken the long-standing record of Just Fontaine to become the player with the highest number of goals scored in a single season for France. The Paris Saint-Germain forward scored his 54th goal of the season during France's Euro 2024 qualifier match against Greece, securing a one-nil victory for his team. The previous record of 53 goals was set in the 1957-58 campaign by the late striker Fontaine.
Mbappé's remarkable achievement has placed him in the spotlight once again, especially as it brings him level with Norway's Erling Haaland, who is also on 54 goals for the current season. However, Haaland will have the opportunity to surpass Mbappé when Norway plays Cyprus on Tuesday.
Mbappé's goal came via a penalty 10 minutes into the second half after Greece's Konstantinos Mavropanos fouled Antoine Griezmann. Although Greece goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos saved Mbappé's initial attempt, the penalty had to be retaken after he stepped off his line. Greece was reduced to 10 men in the final 20 minutes after Mavropanos was sent off for bringing down Randal Kolo Muani.
Although Didier Deschamps, the France head coach, expressed satisfaction that France has maintained their perfect qualifying record, he also expressed disappointment about the team's inability to convert chances and score a second goal. However, he praised the talented and younger players on his team for their quality and promised to work with them and help them gain more experience.
For Mbappé, Monday's goal was his 40th in just 70 matches, making him only 14 goals shy of equaling Olivier Giroud's record for Les Bleus. France, still to concede a goal in qualifying, will face the Republic of Ireland's in their next match at Parc des Princes in September.
Meanwhile, in other Euro qualifiers, England also had an outstanding victory, defeating North Macedonia with a dominating scoreline of seven-nil. Harry Kane, England's all-time top scorer, scored twice and took his tally to 58 goals for the Three Lions, while Bukayo Saka scored a hattrick, and Marcus Rashford and Kalvin Phillips completed the rout. England remains six points clear of Ukraine.