Mbappé Double Seals France Win Over Senegal
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — It was an ugly first half for the 2022 World Cup runners-up, but France took control of its opening match in the second half behind goals from superstar Kylian Mbappé to beat Senegal 3-1 on a sunny Tuesday afternoon in New Jersey.
- Score: France 3-1 Senegal
- Venue: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
- Date: June 17, 2026
- Key Moment: Mbappé’s 66th-minute opener and stoppage-time stunner
In a packed stadium filled with predominantly French supporters, Les Bleus came out sluggish in the first half, generating just one shot despite having the majority of possession. France had only 0.02 expected goals to Senegal’s 0.47, and Senegal had the best chances of the half, as striker Nicolas Jackson hit the post in the 25th minute and put one over the crossbar on the last touch of the half.
France manager Didier Deschamps admitted his disappointment with the first-half performance. “I’m frank with my players. I’m not here shouting and screaming — I grew wiser with age — but I gave a piece of my mind to my players,” he said.
Second-Half Revival
France looked much more the part of the tournament co-favorite in the second half, dominating possession early and creating several scoring chances, including a VAR check for a potential penalty when Mbappé was taken down in the box in the 59th minute. No penalty was awarded.
However, a few minutes later, Mbappé slotted a ball past Senegal goalkeeper Édouard Mendy off a terrific pass from Michael Olise in the 66th minute to open the scoring.
France continued to control the match after halftime and doubled its lead in the 82nd minute when Adrien Rabiot slipped a perfectly weighted through ball to substitute Bradley Barcola, who calmly chipped Mendy.
Senegal pulled one back in stoppage time through Ibrahim Mbaye, who produced a brilliant solo effort to briefly give the Lions of Teranga hope. But France answered almost immediately. Mbappé collected the ball outside the penalty area and unleashed a stunning long-range strike into the top left corner, sealing the 3-1 victory and making him France’s all-time leading scorer with 58 goals, moving past Lionel Messi on the list of highest-scoring players in World Cup history.
“He’s an iconic player,” Deschamps said of Mbappé. “On one action, he really is able to tip the scales and bring his team to victory. People say he doesn’t defend, but he’s not here to defend. Although on the outside you can think he’s selfish – that’s your opinion. I’m very happy for him. He told me he wanted to break the record in a real match.”
Key Player Stats
| Player | Goals | Assists | Shots | Key Passes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kylian Mbappé | 2 | 0 | 4 | 1 |
| Bradley Barcola | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Michael Olise | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Adrien Rabiot | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Ibrahim Mbaye (SEN) | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
What’s Next
France will next face Iraq in Group I play on Monday from Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia at 5 p.m. ET. Senegal will take on Norway at 8 p.m. ET at MetLife Stadium, also on Monday. France will look to build on this momentum, while Senegal will need to regroup after a promising first half that yielded no points.
Where to Watch
Fans can catch all the action live on Fox Sports (English) and Telemundo (Spanish) in the United States. Streaming is available via FuboTV, Peacock, and Fox Sports app. International viewers can check local listings on BBC iPlayer (UK), TF1 (France), and SuperSport (Africa).
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did France struggle in the first half against Senegal?
France lacked intensity and creativity, managing only one shot and 0.02 expected goals. Senegal’s compact defense and counter-attacking threat, including Nicolas Jackson hitting the post, exposed France’s slow start.
How many goals has Kylian Mbappé scored for France?
With his brace against Senegal, Mbappé now has 58 international goals, making him France’s all-time leading scorer, surpassing Olivier Giroud’s 57.
What is France’s record in World Cup openers?
France has won its last four World Cup opening matches, including this 3-1 victory over Senegal. Their last loss in an opener was in 2002 against Senegal.
Who scored for Senegal against France?
Ibrahim Mbaye scored a brilliant solo goal in stoppage time for Senegal, but it was not enough to prevent a 3-1 defeat.
When is France’s next match in the 2026 World Cup?
France faces Iraq on June 22, 2026, at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. Kickoff is at 5 p.m. ET.
