France beat Senegal 3-1 on Tuesday night in New Jersey, taking a major step toward the playoff stage and strengthening its bid for a third world title. Didier Deschamps, coaching at his fourth straight World Cup, got two goals from Kylian Mbappe, who also became France’s all-time leading scorer with 58 goals. Bradley Barcola added the second French goal shortly after coming on, while Ibrahim Mbaye scored a late consolation for Senegal.
The match was widely seen as symbolic because of the long historical ties between Paris and Dakar, from the colonial era to the present day. Senegal, which has been impressive under Papa Thiaw since taking over after Aliou Cisse, matched France for long stretches and created the better early chances, but France’s quality eventually decided it.
The first half finished scoreless. Senegal came closest when Sadio Mane won the ball from Mbappe and set up Nicolas Jackson, whose tight-angle shot struck the near post. Just before halftime, Ismaila Sarr also missed a good opportunity and fired over the bar.
France broke through in the 66th minute when a pass from Michael Olise found Mbappe, who moved between the Senegal defenders and scored his 57th goal for the national team, tying Olivier Giroud at the top of France’s scoring chart. Two minutes after coming on, Barcola finished a strong pass from Adrien Rabiot with a chip over Edouard Mendy. Mbaye reduced the deficit in the 95th minute, but Mbappe finished the job with a powerful strike that Mendy could not stop, moving him alone into first place on France’s all-time list at age 27. France will face Iraq in the next round of Group I, while Senegal meets Norway.
