NEW YORK (Kashmir English): France defeated Senegal 3-1 in an action-filled Group I opening match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The match was played at New York New Jersey Stadium.
The first 45 minutes belonged largely to Senegal as they put the French defence under intense pressure.
Score at the break was 0-0. However, in the second half, France returned with much tactical adjustments:
Shortly after being controversially denied a penalty via VAR check, Kylian Mbappé broke the deadlock in the 66th minute. In the 82nd minute, substitute Bradley Barcola doubled the cushion.
Only moments after entering the pitch, he made a straight-line run to meet Adrien Rabiot’s perfectly weighted pass and chipped it beautifully over Édouard Mendy.
Senegal fought back late when teenage substitute Ibrahim Mbaye showed spectacular control inside the box to smash a shot past Mike Maignan.
Kylian’s 14 career World Cup goals
Kylian Mbappé sealed the victory with a stunning long-range strike into the top corner making it 3:1. With his brace, Kylian Mbappé reached 14 career World Cup goals, matching Gerd Müller and putting himself just two goals behind Miroslav Klose’s all-time record of 16.
