East RUTHERFORD, NJ – On Tuesday afternoon in northern New Jersey, one of the world’s most famous athletes did the greatest of all: deliver on time, even when his opponent did everything possible to prevent it from happening.
It’s a joy to watch, made all the better to witness on a perfect 75-degree day alongside more than 80,000 other witnesses.
Kylian Mbappé is already one of the best players in the game, but there is still a lot to do. It’s easy to forget as he embarks on his third journey World Cup (who has a winner’s trophy and a runner-up trophy to his name) that he is only 27 years old. That’s what makes this, right now, a special moment for World Cup on American soil. On Tuesday, he quickly announced his return to soccer’s biggest stage in a flash, putting on a second-half display that reminded us once again that the best in all sports have this knack for finding a way to do their Thing, leaving us in awe as they turn your hopes into just that.
Mbappé drove home the first goal Francegame against in Senegal in the 66th minute, scored a goal in the first match of Group I. But it was the second goal of Ballettic Blitzer from 30 yards in the last minute of extra time, making it 3-1 in France, which makes him stand out from other games.
After Senegal scored a goal in the second half to make it 2-1, it took Mbappé less than two minutes to finish the story with a stunning World Cup goal in the first six days of the 48-team tournament. His magnificent winning boot was a resounding message throughout the World Cup stadium and made France doubly vocal in their first match as they look to progress to the World Cup finals at this very venue in just over a month from now, on July 19.
As someone who was there for both, I can say it again: Tuesday’s show was the best show at MetLife Stadium since Oasis’ famous two-night run here last summer. On this day, Mbappé would not agree.
It was a spectacle, but special in its historical aspect. Mbappé’s two goals lifted him to the top of the French all-time table. His career tally for the French national team has now reached 58, putting him above France’s all-time star. Olivier Giroud for many in the history of that country.
Mbappé is also, now, on 14 World Cup goals, tied for third with Gerd Müller and second. Ronaldo‘s 15 (for now) too Miroslav Klose‘s 18. He had a great opportunity to hold the record early in the playoffs, let alone the end of the tournament… Lionel Messi does not compromise. The Argentine legend matched Mbappe less than six hours later on Tuesday by scoring two goals in the latest game against him. Algeria in Kansas City.
And about the scenes? If you have the ability to attend at least one World Cup match, you should. As I made my way through the stands and seats, I saw kits from at least a dozen countries. In what is fast becomes an active theme, in Mexico it was particularly prominent here. However, the crowd was brightly lit in blue, red and white. The French soon arrived, taking over MetLife Stadium.
I usually cover basketball games for CBS Sports, but living in the northeast, I have attended a few NFL games as a fan at both MetLife Stadium and its predecessor, Giants Stadium. I was in the stands on a Sunday night in 2006 when Chicago Bears shortstop Devin Hester made the second most famous comeback of his Hall of Fame career, a 108-yard home run after missing a field goal.
I remember the roar and awe of the crowd that night as we watched a brilliant returning man in NFL history enter his prime.
That roar and fear was even greater on Tuesday, and it wasn’t just because of the World Cup – but because of Mbappé. The event’s return to the United States for the first time in 32 years will reignite this country’s love not only for soccer (probably at a level never seen here), but for the epic theater that this spectacular global event will provide – and its stars will make it a marquee.
Mbappé is deep in thought at the moment. France got off to a bad start, managing just one goal in the first half of Senegal’s five points.
At the end of the game, France scored 11-6. The expected goal battle goes to the favourites, France leading by 1.79 to 0.56. Despite a slow start, France were clearly in the lead by the end of the game.
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This is because France is arguably the most dominant team in the event. They are full of attackers. They can join the most gifted players in the world. Bradley Barcola for the Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain beat France for the second time, which replaced France, who finished second in the Premier League Ryan Cherki. While some high-ranking countries have been sluggish to begin with, some high-ranking favorites Brazil again Spain points, Les Bleus are coming out fast and booming.
It all starts with Mbappé, whose celebrity reach was evident on the pitch from start to finish. The reaction of the crowd every time the ball hit his foot was like a nervous convulsion. You are tilting the field at the same time that it is drawing your attention. There is a magnetism to him that few runners possess.
And any property feels like it could be destroyed by dynamite.
In Group I, France is the leader with three wins and enters the knockout stage. Apart from the inevitable, Mbappé’s presence makes France must see every game, regardless of the opposition.
Seeing this was something I will never forget, and I’m talking about the opening game of the group stage with more than a month left in this terrible tournament. You can’t just assume greatness when you see it. It stays with you. The only athlete I have ever watched in person that can compare to Mbappé’s presence, crowd control and size is Michael. Jordan and Tom Brady. And while he hasn’t reached that level yet, can he get there in the next decade?
Or.
Can he get there next month?
If Mbappé is that good, he will take what could be and turn it into what it is.
