Mbappé makes history as France outlast Senegal in World Cup opener

France launched their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign with a hard-fought 3-1 victory over Senegal at New York New Jersey Stadium, with captain Kylian Mbappé delivering a historic performance that further cemented his place among football's greatest players.

Despite entering the tournament as one of the favourites, France struggled in the first half against a disciplined and energetic Senegal side.

The African champions created the better chances before the break and came close to repeating their famous upset over France at the 2002 World Cup, when they defeated the defending champions 1-0 in Seoul.

Historically, France have been one of the most successful nations in World Cup history, winning the trophy in 1998 and 2018 while finishing runners-up in 2006 and 2022.

Senegal’s best World Cup achievement came in 2002 when they reached the quarter-finals on their tournament debut, matching the best-ever performance by an African nation at the time.

On the continental stage, France have won the UEFA European Championship twice, in 1984 and 2000, while Senegal lifted their first Africa Cup of Nations title in 2021, defeating Egypt on penalties.

The victory also shifted the head-to-head record between the two nations.

Before this encounter, France and Senegal had met only once at a FIFA World Cup, with Senegal winning 1-0 in 2002.

France have now recorded their first-ever victory over the Lions of Teranga on football's biggest stage.

France are coached by Didier Deschamps, one of only three men to win the World Cup as both a player and a coach.

As captain, he led France to World Cup glory in 1998 before guiding Les Bleus to the 2018 title from the bench.

Senegal, meanwhile, are led by Pape Thiaw, a former international striker who was part of Senegal’s historic 2002 World Cup squad and has emerged as one of Africa’s promising young coaches.

After a frustrating first half, Mbappé finally broke the deadlock in the 66th minute before Bradley Barcola doubled France's lead.

Senegal substitute Ibrahim Mbaye pulled one back in stoppage time, scoring his first FIFA World Cup goal and adding another milestone to his growing international career.

However, the final word belonged to Mbappé.

Deep into added time, the Real Madrid superstar unleashed a stunning long-range strike to score his second goal of the match.

The goal carried enormous significance, moving him onto 58 international goals, making him France’s outright all-time leading goalscorer.

It was also his 14th FIFA World Cup goal, strengthening his position among the competition’s greatest scorers and bringing him closer to the all-time World Cup scoring record.

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