Kylian Mbappe inspires 10-man France to win over Brazil

FOXBOROUGH – Kylian Mbappe moved to within one goal of equalling France’s all-time scoring record with the opener in a 2-1 win over Brazil, as two of the leading 2026 World Cup contenders faced off in a glamour friendly in the United States on March 26.

Mbappe ran through to beat goalkeeper Ederson with a chipped finish to give France the lead after 32 minutes at Gillette Stadium near Boston.

Les Bleus, World Cup winners in 2018 and runners-up in 2022, had defender Dayot Upamecano sent off early in the second half but shrugged that off to double their lead courtesy of Hugo Ekitike on 65 minutes.

Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil pulled one back 12 minutes from time via Juventus defender Gleison Bremer, but France held on for a victory that will boost confidence 2½ months before the World Cup begins.

They play Senegal, Norway and a play-off winner in the group stage.

“I said beforehand that we couldn’t take too much away from this game. It wasn’t the World Cup final, but it showed we are in a good dynamic,” Mbappe told broadcaster TF1.

“We are creating lots of chances and we are looking a bit more solid, even if we let in a goal at the end. We are moving forward and this will help us prepare for the World Cup.”

The sight of captain Mbappe scoring in trademark lethal fashion is especially good news for coach Didier Deschamps, after the Real Madrid superstar recently returned from three weeks out with a knee injury.

The 27-year-old has now scored 56 goals in 95 appearances for his country, leaving him just one goal away from equalling the record of 57 held by the recently retired Olivier Giroud.

Mbappe will have the chance to match, and perhaps surpass, that mark when France play Colombia in the second friendly of this American tour at the Northwest Stadium near Washington, DC on March 29.

The Brazilians go into the World Cup – in which they will face Morocco, Scotland and Haiti in the group stage – hoping the recent coaching appointment of the revered Ancelotti can make them serious contenders to claim a record-extending sixth title.

Ancelotti said he was “half-satisfied” with the result.

“When you lose a game, you should never be happy... The result isn’t the most important thing, but it does reveal what we did well and what we didn’t,” the Italian said.

“In the overall context of the game, I am satisfied – because the team competed and fought, even scoring from a set piece, which is important. I am half-satisfied, but we certainly shouldn’t be happy with the result.”

This match will have reminded them of the standards required against the very best sides.

Brazil were admittedly missing several key players, with goalkeeper Alisson Becker, defensive duo Gabriel Magalhaes and Eder Militao, midfielder Bruno Guimaraes and forwards Rodrygo and Estevao Willian absent.

France, meanwhile, were without Arsenal centre-back William Saliba, but their fearsome attack included Mbappe, Bayern Munich’s Michael Olise and Paris Saint-Germain’s Ousmane Dembele, the reigning Ballon d’Or winner.

Ancelotti will now hope the Selecao can bounce back when they take on Croatia in Orlando, Florida, on March 31. AFP