World Cup 2026 | France 3 - 1 Senegal
Kylian Mbappe became France's all-time leading goalscorer with a brilliant double
Les Bleus opened their World Cup campaign with victory over Senegal in New Jersey.
Author | James Y
Stadium | New York New Jersey Stadium
Mbappe broke Senegal's resistance in the second half with a low finish before adding a stunning long-range strike deep into stoppage time.
The Real Madrid forward's second goal took him to 58 for France, moving him one clear of former record holder Olivier Giroud.
Bradley Barcola had earlier doubled France's advantage before Ibrahim Mbaye pulled one back for Senegal, but Mbappe's late effort extinguished any hopes of a comeback.
It had been an underwhelming display by France prior to Mbappe's opener
Senegal created the clearer chances and may feel unfortunate not to have broken the deadlock after an impressive first-half display.
Nicolas Jackson came closest for the Lions of Teranga when his low strike cannoned off the base of the post before rebounding off goalkeeper Mike Maignan's foot and rolling narrowly wide.
Ismaila Sarr also had a fine opportunity to put Senegal ahead on the stroke of half-time but failed to direct his close-range effort on target after meeting Sadio Mane's cross.
France, however, emerged after the interval with greater intent and were controversially denied a penalty when Mane appeared to catch Mbappe inside the area.
Referee Alireza Faghani initially awarded a corner, though many inside the stadium expected the decision to be overturned after he was sent to the pitchside monitor by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR).
Instead, Faghani ruled that Mbappe had initiated the contact with the former Liverpool forward.
In the end, it mattered little as France, inspired by Mbappe, responded emphatically to secure all three points.
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