EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY / EuroWire / – France opened their FIFA World Cup Group I campaign with a 3-1 win over Senegal at New York New Jersey Stadium on Tuesday. Kylian Mbappe scored twice after halftime and Bradley Barcola added the other goal. Ibrahim Mbaye scored late for Senegal. The result gave France three points from its first group match.
France and Senegal reached halftime at 0-0 after a tight first period. Senegal created early pressure and tested France in wide areas. Sadio Mane forced a save in the 40th minute. Ismaila Sarr also sent an effort wide before the break. France had possession spells but did not score before halftime.
Mbappe broke the deadlock in the 66th minute. Michael Olise supplied the pass, and Mbappe finished past the goalkeeper for the opening goal. The strike moved him beyond Olivier Giroud on France’s all-time scoring list. Mbappe then held the national team record outright with his 58th international goal.
Mbappe sets France mark
France increased the lead in the 82nd minute. Barcola, who entered two minutes earlier, scored from Adrien Rabiot’s assist. The goal gave France a 2-0 advantage after a stronger second half. France pressed higher after the interval and created repeated shots on target through Mbappe and Olise.
Senegal cut the deficit in the fifth minute of stoppage time. Mbaye scored from an Iliman Ndiaye assist to make it 2-1. France answered one minute later. Olise set up Mbappe again, and the captain scored his second goal of the match. The final goal restored a two-goal margin.
Group I opens in New Jersey
Mbappe finished with two goals and four shots on target. Olise recorded two assists and played 48 passes. Barcola scored with one of France’s late attacks. Mbaye gave Senegal its only goal after entering in the 75th minute. Ndiaye also came off the bench and supplied the assist.
The match was the first Group I game for both teams at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. France scored all three goals after halftime. Senegal scored once during stoppage time but could not find another goal. The 3-1 result placed France at three points in the group standings after one match.