2026 FIFA World Cup | Group I | Tuesday June 17
- France 3-1 Senegal
France recovered from a difficult first half to defeat Senegal 3-1 in their opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, with Kylian Mbappé producing a record-breaking performance.
Senegal were the better side before the break and should have taken the lead. Nicolas Jackson struck the post while Ismaïla Sarr missed from close range as the African side repeatedly threatened the French defence.
But after surviving the early pressure, France found another gear in the second half.
Mbappé broke the deadlock in the 66th minute after being picked out by Michael Olise, giving Les Bleus the breakthrough they had struggled to find.
France then took control of the contest and substitute Bradley Barcola doubled the lead with a composed finish, putting the 2018 world champions firmly in command.
Senegal refused to give up. Deep into stoppage time, 18-year-old Ibrahim Mbaye pulled one back to become the youngest Senegalese player to score at a World Cup and briefly raise hopes of a dramatic finish.
Those hopes lasted only moments. Mbappé struck again in the sixth minute of added time, firing home from long range to seal the victory and complete a historic night for the France captain.
The brace took the 27-year-old to 58 international goals, moving him past Olivier Giroud as France’s all-time leading scorer. It also lifted his World Cup tally to 14 goals, the most ever by a French player at the tournament.
The win gives France the perfect start in Group I and some measure of revenge for their shock 1-0 defeat to Senegal at the 2002 World Cup.
Watch all 104 2026 FIFA World Cup matches which will be broadcast live on GOtv and DStv’s dedicated FIFA World Cup channels – Everything Can Wait.
