World Cup 2026: Kylian Mbappe shines as France claim dominant victory over Senegal

Kylian Mbappe scored a brace as France kicked off their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign with a commanding 3-1 win over African giants Senegal in Group I at New York/New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford.

Mbappe put the 2022 World Cup runners-up ahead in the 66th minute, while the PSG forward, Bradley Barcola, who came in as a substitute in the 80th minute, made an immediate impact, scoring France’s 2nd of the day.

The first half of the match went goalless. France enjoyed the possession, but Senegal looked threatening. Ismaila Sarr had a chance to score for his team, but he missed an important opportunity. No one was tracking him; he had plenty of space, and Mike Maignon would have no chance had he put it on target.

France looked like a totally different team in the second half. Mbappe made a brilliant run, met a through ball from Michael Olise and swept it past Edouard Mendy.

Nicolas Jackson put the ball into the net past Mike Maignon, but it was disallowed as he made his run too early and was flagged offside.

Barcola made an immediate impact when he came on as a substitute. He ran onto Adrien Rabiot's long-range pass and calmly chipped over the keeper.

Late in the stoppage time, Ibrahim Mbaye gave Senegal a late hope when he slammed an angled strike past Maignon.

But Mbappe took no time to restore France’s two-goal lead one minute later, from 30 yards out, he swivelled and rifled the ball into the top left corner, which gave Mendy no chance.

France starting XI

Mike Maignan; Theo Hernández, Dayot Upamecano, William Saliba, Jules Koundé; Adrien Rabiot, Aurelién Tchouaméni; Desiré Doué, Ousmane Dembélé, Michael Olise; Kylian Mbappé

Senegal starting XI

Édouard Mendy; El Hadji Malick Diouf, Moussa Niakhaté, Kalidou Koulibaly, Krépin Diatta; Pape Gueye, Idrissa Gueye, Lamine Camara; Sadio Mané, Nicolas Jackson, Ismaila Sarr