Image source: Alamy Stock Photo
Led by a fired-up Kylian Mbappe, France got the ball rolling in Group I at the 2026 World Cup owing to a gritty 3-1 win over Senegal at the New York New Jersey Stadium on Tuesday night.
Following a slow start to the game, largely due to the hot weather in East Rutherford, the game started at a slow pace during the first 10 minutes. However, France edged their opponents in ball possession as the African side sat back in soaking up the early pressure.
Senegal looked lively during counter-attacks, as seen with Ismaila Sarr’s seventh-minute opportunity after he latched onto a direct ball over the French backline before letting off a shot that was blocked by Dayot Upamecano.
France’s first scoring opportunity fell to Mbappe in the 12th minute after Ousmane Dembélé played him through on goal; however, the 27-year-old’s poor first touch allowed Kalidou Koulibaly to deal with the threat.
Senegal came close to taking the lead moments before the first water break after Nicolas Jackson eluded Upamecano and saw his shot hit the post.
The Lions of Teranga carved out the best chance of the half seconds before the break after a period of possession going forward. With Sadio Mane making a clever run into the area, the winger squared a pass across the box after which Sarr failed to keep his shot on target.
The second-half began with both teams trading blows in swift transition moments: first through Sarr who was stopped by a timely tackle from William Saliba en-route to goal, while Edouard Mendy denied Michael Olise seconds later.
Then, in a crucial moment of the match, the French stars waved their arms appealing for a penalty after Mane appeared to have impeded Kylian Mbappe in the 58th minute. Following a VAR check, the referee initially stuck to his decision but then changed it to a goal kick.
Les Bleus took the lead in the 66th minute as Mbappe drew first blood for his nation after he evaded Koulibaly to latch Olise’s pass toward the center of the area and hit a first-time shot toward the left of Mendy.
The Lions of Teranga thought they had equalized the lead in the 68th minute after Jackson rifled the ball past Maignan following a fast break into the area, however, his effort was chalked off for offside.
With wind in their sails, France doubled their advantage in the 82nd minute through second-half substitute Bradley Barcola who capped off a well-timed through ball by Adrien Rabiot before lobbing Mendy.
Senegal left it late via a moment of magic through Ibrahim Mbaye, who dropped his shoulder to beat his opposite number before rifling the ball home past Maignan in the 95th minute. Nonetheless, Mbappe had the last say of the tie, becoming France’s all-time top scorer with a shot from distance a minute later.
France: (0) 3 (Mbappe 66’, 90+6’, Barcola 82’)
Senegal: (0) 1 (Mbaye 90+5’)
France: Maignan, Kounde, Upamecano, Saliba, Hernandez, Tchoumeni, Rabiot, Olise, Dembele (Barcola 80’), Doue (Cherki 87’), Mbappe
Senegal: Mendy, Diouf, Niakhate, Koulibaly, Diatta, P. Gueye (Ndiaye 83’), I. Gueye (Ciss 88’), Camara (Diarra 76’), Mane, Jackson (Dieng 83’), I. Sarr (Mbaye 75’)
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