All eyes were on Kylian Mbappe ahead of France’s FIFA World Cup opener, and he really treated them right. France got their 2026 World Cup campaign off to a strong start with a 3-1 victory over Senegal in Group I on Tuesday.
Mbappe powers France defeat Senegal 3-1 in 2026 World Cup opener
The Real Madrid star stole the show by scoring twice, including a memorable strike, to reach 58 international goals and surpass Olivier Giroud as France’s all-time top scorer. The French forward opened the scoring and added a second to put Les Bleus firmly in control.
Bradley Barcola added France’s third goal, showcasing the depth of the French attack. Senegal, who reached the quarter-finals in 2022, refused to lie down and mounted a spirited fight. Ibrahim Mbaye pulled one back late in the match, but it proved only a consolation as France held on for all three points.
The result sends an early message from Didier Deschamps’ side, who will now look to build momentum as they aim for a third World Cup title in the tournament co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Senegal will need to regroup quickly ahead of their next group fixture.
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