France had big problems against Senegal for half a time. Then Kylian Mbappé, Michael Olise and Co. turn it up.
France celebrated a successful start to the 2026 World Cup. The 2018 world champion and runner-up in 2022 won 3-1 (0-0) against Senegal. Kylian Mbappé (66th minute) scored the redeeming opening goal for the World Cup favorites in New Jersey, while Bradley Barcola, who had just been substituted, gave the team a two-goal lead in the 82nd minute. Ibrahim Mbaye (90+5) temporarily reduced the deficit for Senegal before Mbappé made the final score with a dream goal (90+6).
Senegal put in a strong performance for 45 minutes and deserved to take the lead at half-time. However, the Africans left two top players behind. France turned things up in the second half and ultimately deservedly secured their first three points at the 2026 World Cup.
Kylian Mbappé: “Wants to get to the final”
After the game, France was greatly relieved. “We haven’t got started yet, but it’s good to start with a win,” said match winner Mbappé. “It’s not a relief. When I start thinking about the people who criticize me, I never stop. I play for my country, I want to get to the final.”
France with a star offensive – Senegal is holding up
Didier Deschamps, who will quit as France national coach after the World Cup, had all of his key players on board. Including the four offensive stars Ousmane Dembélé, Désiré Doué, Michael Olise and Mbappé. Senegal was unimpressed and played boldly forward from the start.
Kylian Mbappé made unusual mistakes at the start
Both teams initially had difficulty getting into the final third of the game and getting shots. Mbappé was emblematic of this: the Real Madrid striker failed to receive the ball in a promising position in the early stages, and the 27-year-old also found a pass to Dembélé much too steep after a French win in midfield.
Kylian Mbappé in the game against Senegal
Post banger from Nicolas Jackson
As the game wore on, Senegal became deeper. France largely had control of the game, but lacked the final pass. The Africans initially had the best chance: After a counterattack, Nicolas Jackson was sent straight down by El Hadji Diouf. The FC Bayern attacker shot from the left, his shot hit the left inside post of the French goal, the rebound hit Mike Maignan and went off the keeper’s back and into the goal (25th). Lucky for them Equipe Tricolore.
Reprimand from coach Didier Deschamps
During the following drinking break, the French coach Deschamps grabbed Mbappé and had a few clear words. Presumably it was about the striker’s defensive behavior in the scene before the post shot.
The post was also an effective hit. France also showed itself after the “Hydration Break” impressed. Senegal continued to barely allow the individual extra class of the tournament favorites to develop.
Ismaila Sarr leaves the lead for Senegal
After winning the ball, coach Pape Thiaw’s team countered and tried to finish. For example by Sadio Mané, whose shot from 16 meters did not cause any problems for Maignan (40th). In stoppage time in the first half, Ismaila Sarr was free to shoot from a cross from Mané’s left side, but the right winger fired the ball over the French goal from six meters. That should have been the lead for the “Lions of Teranga”.
Désiré Doué with France’s first dangerous finish
So the break went goalless – lucky for France. Senegal had the only two big chances in the first half. Shortly after the restart they had Equipe Tricolore finally their first high-profile star. A long ball reached Doué, who shot from 19 meters and missed the Senegalese goal by just a meter (47th). The first offensive sign of life from the 2018 world champion.
Edouard Mendy saves against Michael Olise
The French, with Olise and Dembélé swapping positions at the start of the second half, now acted more powerfully. After winning the ball, Jules Koundé inserted Olise. The winger put up a strong fight against Kalidou Koulibaly, but was denied by Senegalese keeper Edouard Mendy (53′).
Video check after a controversial scene
Now there were chances every minute. Senegal lost the ball again in the build-up, this time Mbappé was sent steeply by Olise. But the French center forward was also denied by Mendy (57′), who cleared the ball with his foot.
A minute later, Mbappé broke through on the right, penetrated the Senegalese penalty area and was brought down by Mané in a tackle. Referee Alireza Faghani from Iran decided to continue play, and the video referee finally came forward and checked a possible penalty. Faghani himself looked at the images on the monitor that showed Mané touching him, but stuck to his original assessment. Quite debatable.
Kylian Mbappé breaks the spell
France responded with furious attacks. Mbappé came just one step too late after Olise’s pass (64th), Theo Hernandez’s shot was blocked (65th). Shortly afterwards the time had come: After a strong pass from Olise, Mbappé scored from seven meters from the half-right past Mendy and into the left corner to make it 1-0 for France (66th).
Jackson hit doesn’t count, Barcola wins immediately
At this point, the leadership we deserved. Just two minutes later, Jackson scored with a wonderful shot to make it 1-1, but the striker was previously offside (68′). On the French side, Doué was denied by Mendy a little later (76th), the strong Jackson narrowly missed for Senegal (79th).
In the 80th minute, Deschamps brought Barcola on for the pale Dembélé – and the joker immediately stung. After a pass from Doué, Barcola gave the team a 2-0 lead Equipe Tricolore.
Turbulent final phase
In stoppage time, events came to a head. Mbaye let Hernandez out on the half-right and shortened for Senegal (90th + 5). Just a minute later, Mbappé restored the old distance with a powerful shot from 22 meters into the left corner (90.+6). At the same time the final score – favorite France deservedly won their World Cup opening game 3-1 due to their improved performance in the second half.
outlook
France continues in the difficult World Cup preliminary group I against Iraq next Monday (11 p.m. CEST, live on ARD as well as in the live stream and audio stream on sportschau.de) in Philadelphia. Senegal will face Norway on Tuesday (2 a.m.) in New Jersey.