FIFA World Cup 2026 – Group I
France 3-1 Senegal (Kylian Mbappe 66′, 90+6′, Bradley Barcola 82′
Ibrahim Mbaye 90+5′)
New York, United States — Kylian Mbappe scored twice as France overcame a spirited Senegal side to secure a 3-1 victory in their opening Group I match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Tuesday night.
The Real Madrid forward struck in the second half before adding a stoppage-time goal to ensure Les Bleus began their campaign with maximum points at the New York New Jersey Stadium.
Despite entering the match as favourites, France were made to work hard by a determined Senegal side that enjoyed the better chances during the opening exchanges.
The African representatives nearly stunned the 2018 world champions when Nicolas Jackson’s effort struck the post and deflected off goalkeeper Mike Maignan before rolling behind for a corner.
France struggled to find their rhythm in the first half as Senegal’s disciplined defence and energetic pressing frustrated Didier Deschamps’ men.
However, the French side emerged from the break with renewed intensity and eventually found the breakthrough in the 66th minute.
Michael Olise delivered a precise pass into the area and Mbappe made no mistake, steering the ball beyond goalkeeper Edouard Mendy to hand France a deserved lead.
The goal shifted momentum firmly in France’s favour as Senegal began to tire.
Substitute Bradley Barcola doubled the advantage in the 82nd minute, expertly lifting Adrien Rabiot’s through ball over Mendy with his first touch after coming off the bench.
Senegal refused to surrender and reduced the deficit deep into stoppage time when substitute Ibrahim Mbaye produced a clever finish in the fifth minute of added time to spark hopes of a dramatic comeback.
Those hopes were short-lived.
Less than a minute later, Mbappe restored France’s two-goal cushion with a thunderous finish into the roof of the net, sealing a 3-1 victory and capping another memorable World Cup performance.
The brace moved Mbappe to 14 FIFA World Cup goals, taking him to third place on the tournament’s all-time scoring chart.
The French captain now sits just two goals behind Germany legend Miroslav Klose, who holds the World Cup scoring record with 16 goals.
France’s victory gives them an early advantage in Group I as they continue their pursuit of a third World Cup crown, while Senegal will look to bounce back in their next fixture and keep their qualification hopes alive.
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