Mbappe scores twice as France beat Senegal 3-1 in World Cup opener

France overcame a difficult opening 45 minutes before producing a dominant second-half display to defeat Senegal 3-1 and begin their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign with all three points.

Kylian Mbappe scored twice, while substitute Bradley Barcola also found the net as Didier Deschamps' side showed why they remain among the favourites to lift the trophy.

The victory also moved Mbappe to 14 career World Cup goals, leaving him just two behind Germany legend Miroslav Klose's all-time men's tournament record of 16.

Senegal frustrate France early

Despite arriving as one of the tournament favourites, France struggled to impose themselves during a scrappy first half. Senegal defended aggressively, pressed high when opportunities arose and created several of the game's best chances.

Nicolas Jackson rattled the woodwork before Ismaila Sarr missed a golden opportunity shortly before the break as the African side repeatedly exposed gaps in the French defence.

France's star-studded attack, featuring Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembele, Michael Olise, Desire Doue, and Mbappe, struggled to build rhythm and registered very little attacking threat before halftime.

Tactical shift changes everything

Deschamps resisted making substitutions at halftime but altered France's attacking structure by moving Michael Olise into a more central creative role.

The adjustment transformed the match. Olise immediately began finding space between Senegal's midfield and defence, allowing France's pace up front to become far more dangerous.

Mbappe, who had been largely anonymous in the opening period, suddenly became the focal point.

Mbappe makes history

France finally broke the deadlock shortly after the hour mark. Olise threaded a perfectly weighted pass into Mbappe's path, and the Real Madrid forward calmly guided his finish beyond Edouard Mendy to score his first goal of the tournament.

After Senegal briefly threatened a response, substitute Bradley Barcola doubled France's advantage following another flowing attacking move. Although Senegal reduced the deficit late through Ibrahim Mbaye, Mbappe delivered the final word.

Collecting possession more than 25 yards from goal, the French captain unleashed a superb strike into the corner to seal the victory and register his 58th international goal.

The brace also strengthened his position among the greatest goal scorers in World Cup history.

France show two Different sides

The match highlighted both France's strengths and vulnerabilities. For long periods of the opening half, they looked disjointed and vulnerable defensively, with Senegal matching them physically and tactically.

Once France found their rhythm after the interval, however, they displayed the attacking quality that has made them one of the strongest squads at the tournament. Olise's creativity, Mbappe's clinical finishing and the impact from the bench illustrated the remarkable depth available to Deschamps.

What the result means

France move to the top of Group I with three points and an early boost to their hopes of progressing to the knockout rounds. Senegal, despite the defeat, produced enough encouraging moments to suggest they remain strong contenders for qualification if they maintain the same intensity in their remaining group fixtures.

For Mbappe, meanwhile, another World Cup campaign has begun in familiar fashion, with goals, records, and growing belief that he could soon become the greatest scorer in FIFA World Cup history.

SportsLigue