France opened its campaign at the 2026 World Cup by defeating Senegal 3-1 in their first group match.
The first half saw both teams locked in a tight contest. Although France dominated possession, Senegal defended consistently, neutralizing any serious threats. The Senegalese players had the best opportunities, including a near-miss by Jackson against the post and a close-range chance by Sarr just before the break. The score remained level at 0-0 at halftime, though the African side looked closer to taking the lead.
After the interval, France increased the pressure and received a reward. Mbappé capitalized on a setup from Olise to put France ahead. Senegal tried to respond, but Jackson’s goal was disallowed for an offside infringement. France maintained its dangerous attack, and Barcola, who had substituted for Dembélé, extended the lead after connecting with a through ball from Rabiot.
Senegal managed to narrow the gap in stoppage time, with Ibrahim Mbaye scoring. In the 90+5 minute, Mbaye dribbled past Theo and converted a powerful shot to make the score 2-1. However, just a minute later, Mbappé restored France’s lead. He sealed the 3-1 victory with a spectacular long-range strike into the left corner.
