France's forward #10 Kylian Mbappe celebrates scoring the opening goal during the UEFA Nations League third place play-off football match between Germany and France in Stuttgart, southwestern Germany on June 8, 2025. (Photo by THOMAS KIENZLE / AFP)
France forward Kylian Mbappé has matched Thierry Henry’s tally to become the joint second-highest goalscorer in the nation’s history.
The 26-year-old Paris-born striker scored in the 82nd minute as France defeated Ukraine 2-0 in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier on Friday, bringing his international total to 51 goals, level with Arsenal legend Henry. He now sits just behind Olivier Giroud, who leads France’s all-time scoring chart with 57 goals.
Michael Olise opened the scoring for Les Bleus in the 10th minute, before Mbappé sealed the victory late on. The result strengthened France’s position at the top of Group C, while Ukraine failed to threaten meaningfully throughout the encounter.
Since making his senior debut in 2017, Mbappé has risen to become the face of French football. His breakthrough came at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, where he netted four times, including a goal in the final against Croatia to help France clinch their second world title.
At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, he further cemented his global reputation, finishing as the tournament’s top scorer with eight goals, including a memorable hat-trick in the final against Argentina.
With Henry’s milestone equalled, Mbappé will now look to claim outright second place when France take on Georgia in their next qualifier on Tuesday.
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