France began its 2026 World Cup campaign with a 3-1 victory over Senegal on Tuesday at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, pulling away after a strong second half. Kylian Mbappe and Bradley Barcola led the turnaround for the French, who secured an early lead and then finished the match with a third goal. Senegal played bravely and created several good chances, but could manage only a consolation goal.
Senegal came closest before halftime. In the 25th minute, Nicolas Jackson hit the post after breaking into the box, with the ball then bouncing off goalkeeper Mike Maignan and out for a corner. In the 40th minute, Ismaila Sarr found Sadio Mane outside the area, but Mane's weak shot went straight to Maignan. Deep in first-half stoppage time, Mane slipped a precise cross to Sarr, who missed a huge chance by shooting over the bar.
France improved after the break. In the 47th minute, Desire Doue sent a shot just wide, and six minutes later Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy denied Michael Olise after a fine solo run. A possible French penalty was checked by VAR in the 60th minute, but the referee waved play on. France finally scored in the 66th minute when Olise played Mbappe through and the striker finished first time for his first goal of the tournament.
Didier Deschamps then sent on Barcola for Ousmane Dembele, and the substitute scored just two minutes later after Adrien Rabiot found him with a long pass. Barcola lifted the ball over Mendy to make it 2-0. Senegal responded with a goal by Ibrahim Ambaia to cut the deficit to 2-1, but Mbappe later produced one of the standout goals of recent years to seal a 3-1 win for France in New Jersey.
