France kicked off their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign with a 3-1 victory over Senegal in an entertaining Group I encounter at MetLife Stadium.
Both sides produced an exciting first half and created several chances, but neither could find the breakthrough as the opening 45 minutes ended goalless.
The deadlock was finally broken in the 66th minute when captain Kylian Mbappe finished from close range to give Les Bleus a deserved lead.
France doubled their advantage sixteen minutes later through Bradley Barcola, who calmly slotted home after being brilliantly set up by Adrien Rabiot.
Senegal refused to give up and pulled one back late in the game through substitute Ibrahim Mbaye, raising hopes of a dramatic comeback for the Teranga Lions.
However, those hopes were short-lived as Kylian Mbappe struck just seconds later with an audacious effort from long range to restore France’s two-goal cushion and seal the victory.
The win gives France the perfect start to their World Cup campaign ahead of their next Group I fixture against Iraq on June 22 at Lincoln Financial Field, while Senegal will look to bounce back when they take on Norway on June 23 at MetLife Stadium.
