World Cup Group I
France’s offensive turns up the heat – and celebrates its opening victory
Updated June 16, 2026 – 11:12 p.mReading time: 3 minutes
France dominated the game but didn’t know what to do with the ball in the first half. Senegal becomes dangerous, but loses energy at the back.
The French national team started the 2026 World Cup with success. National coach Didier Deschamps’ team, full of offensive stars, defeated Senegal 3-1 (0-0) at the start of Group I. Kylian Mbappé gave France the lead after a remarkable assist from Bayern’s Michael Olise (66th minute). Bradley Barcola (82′) and Mbappé again increased shortly before the end (90’+6). Senegal’s Ibrahim Mbaye made things exciting again for a short time (90.+5).
The 1998 and 2018 world champion initially seemed uninspired, but earned the success thanks to a clear increase in performance after the break. The French are among the big favorites for the title at the tournament in the USA, Canada and Mexico. The first three points should give them further momentum on the way to the third star they hope for.
That’s how the game went
Many of the 80,545 spectators in East Rutherford were prepared for an offensive spectacle from the French – but that only happened in the second half. When Mbappé was shown on the video screens shortly before the two teams entered the stadium, there was a huge cheer. In the first half, however, the “Équipe Tricolore” attack, which was highly praised and consisted entirely of top players, remained surprisingly harmless.
In the video | Müller shouts to Senegal players
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Not once did the French take a dangerous shot at Édouard Mendy’s goal before the break. Instead, the Senegalese put themselves in trouble when captain Kalidou Koulibaly almost cleared a cross into his own goal (44′). Otherwise, neither Mbappé nor Ousmane Dembélé nor Olise were initially able to make a big impact.
And Senegal? Performed as confidently as coach Pape Thiaw had wanted and announced. Nicolas Jackson, who was loaned to Bayern from Chelsea last season, shook off his former Munich colleague Dayot Upamecano and hammered the ball onto the post (25th).
The West Africans also appeared more determined in and around the opponent’s penalty area. The lead would have been deserved if Ismaïla Sarr had taken advantage of his great chance in stoppage time in the first half.
