Kylian Mbappé scores the French record 54th goal of the season

Kylian Mbappe scored his 54th goal of the season for club and country in France’s 1–0 win over Greece in Euro 2024 qualifying to set a new French goalscoring record.

The previous record was 53 goals in a single season, set by the late striker Just Fontaine during the 1957–58 season.

It also put the Paris Saint-Germain striker level on Erling Haaland’s scoring for the season, although the Manchester City striker could retake the lead when Norway face Cyprus on Tuesday.

Mbappé scored the winning goal from the penalty spot 10 minutes into the second half after Antoine Griezmann was fouled by Konstantinos Mavropanos, maintaining France’s perfect qualifying record with four wins from four matches.

Greek goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos saved Mbappé’s initial effort, but the penalty had to be retaken after the stopper stepped off his line.

Greece were then reduced to 10 men for the final 20 minutes after Mavropanos was shown a red card for bringing down Randal Kolo Muani.

“The only thing I regret is that I couldn’t play it safe because we had chances to score the second goal,” said national coach Didier Deschamps. uefa. com.

“You never know in football, with the last corner [they could have scored]. I have a team that is much younger, so they will have to learn that too, but there is a lot of quality among the players who were here.

“We played four games and we took 12 points. It’s perfect to reach our goal, which is to qualify for the European Championship in Germany. After the World Cup, a great competition, there was some disappointment, it was a huge disappointment.” The flight was remarkable.

“Those younger players, even though they play in the biggest clubs, don’t have the experience of those who have retired, but they have the quality, so it’s a pleasure for me to be with them and guide them.”

Monday’s goal was Mbappé’s 40th for France in just 70 games, taking him just 14 goals away from equaling Olivier Giroud’s record for Les Bleus.

France, who have not yet conceded a goal in qualifying, will continue their campaign against the Republic of Ireland at the Parc des Princes in September.

Elsewhere in European Championship qualifying, England also maintained their perfect start with a 7-0 demise of North Macedonia.

Harry Kane, England’s all-time top goalscorer, scored twice to take his tally to 58 goals for the Three Lions, while Arsenal youngster Bukayo Saka scored a hat-trick.

Marcus Rashford and Kalvin Phillips completed the rout as England are six points ahead of Ukraine in second place.