Overview
- France opened their World Cup campaign with a 3-1 victory over Senegal on Tuesday, June 16, after Kylian Mbappé scored twice including a stoppage-time long-range strike.
- Mbappé’s two goals moved him to 58 for France, surpassing Olivier Giroud as the national team’s all-time top scorer and bringing his World Cup total to 14, two short of Miroslav Klose’s tournament record.
- Substitute Bradley Barcola added a decisive second goal in the 82nd minute after Adrien Rabiot’s assist, while Ibrahim Mbaye pulled one back for Senegal in the 90+5th minute.
- Despite the win, France were ineffective in the first half, required halftime tactical changes to improve, and extended a run of conceding in six consecutive matches, underlining defensive fragility.
- The victory gives Deschamps breathing room but forces quick work on tactics and personnel before France face Iraq in Philadelphia on Monday, June 22, and Norway in Foxborough on June 26.