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France shrugged off a slow start and a controversial penalty decision to beat Senegal 3-1 in their opening match of the 2026 World Cup.
Kylian Mbappe scored the opener after he was denied a penalty despite VAR sending the referee to the monitor, before Bradley Barcola doubled France’s lead with a delightful chip.
Paris Saint-Germain teenager Ibrahim Mbaye pulled one back for Senegal in stoppage time, only for Mbappe to immediately restore the two-goal lead with a thumping strike.
Senegal were left to rue a number of missed opportunities in the first half, including Nicolas Jackson hitting the post and Ismaila Sarr inexplicably blazing over the crossbar from point-blank range.
Senegal acquitted themselves well but France's endless attacking talent was simply too much for them to handle in the second half.
If Iraq are unable to pull off a shock and steal a result against Norway in today's next kick-off, Senegal's next game against Norway will be massively important. Lose that and even a win over Iraq in their final group-stage game might not be enough for Senegal to advance as the third-placed team in Group I.
His second goal not only sees Kylian Mbappe become France's outright all-time top scorer and outright all-time top scorer at the World Cup, it also makes him the first player to score at least two goals in five different World Cup games.
He was tied with Sandor Kocsis, Just Fontaine, Ronaldo and Miroslav Klose before this match, with the quartet having all achieved the feat four times. But now he is one clear of them. The games in question are:
The quality of goals at the World Cup so far has been extraordinary.
Bangers every day, and we’ve still got Erling Haaland and Lionel Messi to come today.
Another assist for Michael Olise for Mbappe's second goal.
Though it was a bit more ‘Hector Enrique to Diego Maradona’ — a simple pass on the halfway line before a brilliant individual goal — than his first assist.
Sometimes football is so ridiculous you just have to laugh. The best moment of Mbaye's career is upstaged within seconds with an even better goal from Mbappe.
Mbaye just shakes his head in disbelief.
Today, Kylian Mbappe let everyone know that this is his World Cup to lose.
Wow. It was seen as a real coup last year when Senegal convinced Ibrahim Mbaye to represent them after playing for France's youth teams. Now you understand why.
I bet any fans who may have left early are regretting their decision now.
Senegal almost got a second right at the end as Maignan juggled with the ball on the line but just about kept it out.
The full-time whistle goes soon after and France get the victory after an excellent second-half performance.
90+6’ France 3-1 Senegal
A frantic finish to this game!
The 18-year-old Ibrahim Mbaye twists and turns his way past Tchouameni and thunders a shot into the roof of the net.
A brilliant finish to get Senegal within one goal, but then enter Mbappe. He has space to shoot from distance and lets fly for a sublime goal!
That's his second of the game and makes him France's all-time top goalscorer.
90+6’ France 3-1 Senegal
And an instant response from Kylian Mbappe! What a strike from distance!
Kylian Mbappé, you are UNREAL! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/7dQ0AdQ7tO
90+5’ France 2-0 Senegal
What a finish from Mbaye!
Fans beginning to leave MetLife as stoppage time begins.
I'd have a hard time understanding leaving a World Cup game early if MetLife wasn't so damn hard to get away from.
90+1’ France 2-0 Senegal
Eight minutes added on at the end of this match.
Feel like we're going to see France pull away late in a lot of tight matches given the quality of substitutes Didier Deschamps has on his bench.
Bradley Barcola is running circles around Senegal's defense right now, and Rayan Cherki is only just now coming on for Desiree Doue.
France's lefties, Michael Olise and Adrien Rabiot, are having a through ball competition.
Brilliant disguised pass from Olise to set up Kylian Mbappe, and now a gorgeously weighted slide-rule ball from Rabiot to assist Bradley Barcola.
There’s Bradley Barcola doing what he does best — making straight-line runs in-behind for through balls.
He could’ve won the Champions League this way against Arsenal in extra time but twice missed chances. No mistake this time though just after coming on.
He does what Mbappe couldn’t manage in the first-half, running onto Rabiot’s through ball and keeping composure to dink over Mendy. A smart sub by Deschamps, and good use of his attacking depth.
83’ France 2-0 Senegal
Two more changes for Senegal after that France goal. Ndiaye is on for Pape Gueye and Dieng is on for Jackson
82’ France 2-0 Senegal
It's wonderful movement from substitute Bradley Barcola, who latches onto Rabiot's through ball and chips a shot beautifully over Mendy.
After a very tame first half, things have really clicked for France over the last 40 minutes or so.
Team Stats
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