2026 FIFA World Cup: France: 3 - Senegal: 1
In the first match of Group I at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, France defeated Senegal 3-1.
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France and Senegal faced off at MetLife Stadium in Group I of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
In the 25th minute of the match, officiated by Australian referee Alireza Faghani, Senegal came very close to scoring. Nicolas Jackson entered the penalty area with the ball and fired a shot from the left diagonal, but the ball struck the post and bounced back into play.
As no goals were scored in the following minutes, the teams headed to the locker rooms tied at 0-0. France increased its pressure in the second half. In the 66th minute, Kylian Mbappe met an incisive pass from Olise inside the penalty area and sent the ball into the net, giving France a 1-0 lead.
In the 82nd minute, Bradley Barcola ran onto a pass from Adrien Rabiot behind the defense, entered the penalty area, and sent the ball into the net from the right diagonal to put his team ahead 2-0.
Although Senegal found hope with a goal from Mbaye in the 90+5th minute, Kylian Mbappe's stylish goal from outside the penalty area in the 90+6th minute secured a 3-1 victory for France.
In the second week of the group stage, France will play against Iraq, while Senegal will face off against Norway.