France defeated Senegal with a historic double from Kylian Mbappé
The New York New Jersey Stadium was the scene of the duel between the French and Senegalese. France only needed one time to defeat Senegal 3-1
France and Senegal opened Group I of the 2026 World Cup. In a duel that took place at the New York New Jersey Stadium (MetLife Stadium), France defeated Senegal 3-1 with two goals from Kylian Mbappé and one from Bradley Barcola. Mbappé already has 14 goals in World Cups. The Real Madrid forward surpassed Just Fontaine.
First time from France: Mike Maignan, Jules Koundé, William Saliba, Dayot Upamecano, Théo Hernández, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Adrien Rabiot, Michael Olise, Ousmane Dembélé, Désiré Doué, Kylian Mbappé.
Once initial from Senegal: Édouard Mendy, Krépin Diatta, Kalidou Koulibaly, Moussa Niakhaté, El Hadji Malick Diouf, Lamine Camara, Idrissa Gana Gueye, Pape Gueye, Ismaïla Sarr, Nicolas Jackson, Sadio Mané.
In the early stages of the game there was no excessive dominance by France. Senegal stood very well at the back and used the speed of its players to reach the goal defended by Mike Maignan with few touches.
In the first 15 minutes of the game there were no shots on goal by either team. Although France maintained 60% possession of the ball, the retention was not dangerous for the African team.
Just before the arrival of hydration time, Senegal had the first dangerous play of the entire match. A long pass to Nicolas Jackson complicated the French defense much more than necessary. Jules Koundé did not reach the mark and Dayot Upamecano had to do the coverage. Despite the Frenchman's good defense, Jackson managed to hit a shot with his left leg and crash the ball over Mike Maignan's right upright.
The first half ended with only one shot on goal for Senegal, but it was a shot that did not generate much danger. The curious thing about the first half is that a forward with names like Kylian Mbappé, Michael Olise, Ousmane Dembélé and Désiré Doué only attempted one shot in the entire first half.
Second half
It took 52 minutes of the game for France to score its first shot on goal in the match. In a change of speed by Michael Olise, the Bayern Munich attacker made a good left-footed shot that required a quick exit from Édouard Mendy.
Four minutes later Kylian Mbappé would appear. The Real Madrid forward received a great pass from Michael Olise. The former PSG player had oriented control and was able to get a good shot with his left leg. However, once again, Édouard Mendy stopped the shot.
France's first approaches motivated their forwards. Kylian Mbappé once again created danger, but this time on the right side. The Real Madrid attacker surpassed Sadio Mané in speed. The Al Nassr footballer crossed Mbappé inside the area. Mbappé had time to tap the ball and received contact from Mané. However, the main judge determined at the request of the VAR that there was no penalty.
France warned that the goal was close. The one who generated the most danger was Michael Olise starting from the middle of the field. The Bayern Munich striker connected a great low pass with his right foot to Kylian Mbappé who struck deep. Without needing to control the ball, the Real Madrid footballer made a great shot from his right foot with which he was able to beat Édouard Mendy in the 66th minute.
With his goal against Senegal, Kylian Mbappé reached 13 goals in World Cups. The French forward equaled Just Fontaine in the all-time table of top scorers in World Cup history. Mbappé has scored in three editions of the tournament.
In the 81st minute, France extended its lead. Bradley Barcola came on for Ousmane Dembélé. Adrien Rabiot welcomed Barcola onto the field with a spectacular clearance between the lines. Barcola received with time and space. Before the departure of Édouard Mendy, the PSG footballer hit the ball and put cold wood on the scoreboard.
The correct game that Senegal had been playing in the defensive sector only reached them during the first half. The second half was clearly dominated by the French team. The Senegalese offensive could do little in the complement.
However, the African team had a sporadic play with the recently introduced Ibrahim Mbaye. With great skill, the Senegalese forward advanced down the right side and, inside the area, finished with great power over Mike Maignan's goal. This was the discount for Senegal.
Senegal's discount bothered France little. Kylian Mbappé was not satisfied with the tie in the list of all-time World Cup scorers. The Real Madrid striker took a split ball with his back to Mendy's goal. 30 meters from the goal, Mbappé turned, outlined himself and made a powerful shot that gave France the third goal.
With that goal Mbappé surpasses Just Fontaine, but now he is equal in third place on the podium with Gerd Müller, legendary footballer from the Federal Republic of Germany.
The power of France is still striking. The European team did not make a shot at Mendy's goal in 52 minutes of the game. But this same team was able to score 3 goals against Senegal in half an hour. France starts the 2026 World Cup on the right foot.