France edge Senegal 3-1 at World Cup with Mbappé brace and Barcola strike

France opened their World Cup campaign with a 3-1 victory over Senegal in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Kylian Mbappé scored twice and Bradley Barcola added a late goal to secure the win. Michael Olise provided the assist for Mbappé’s first goal in the 64th minute, threading a precise through ball between Senegalese defenders. Adrien Rabiot then set up Barcola for the 2-0 goal in the 80th minute, following a quick counterattack. Mbappé sealed the win in stoppage time with a powerful long-range strike, his 14th World Cup goal. Senegal pulled one back through Ibrahim Mbaye in the 90th minute, but it was too late to change the outcome. The result puts France top of Group I, alongside Senegal, Norway, and Iraq, who face each other at 00:00. France now awaits their next fixture, with Didier Deschamps targeting a third consecutive World Cup final appearance. France’s attacking approach contrasted sharply with Senegal’s strategy. Didier Deschamps deployed four forwards—Moussa Dembélé, Désiré Doué, Michael Olise, and Mbappé—early in the match, but Senegal controlled possession and threatened on the counter.

France, boosted by Kylian Mbappé, beats Senegal 3-1 at World Cup

Senegal nearly took the lead before halftime when Ismaïla Sarr missed an open goal for Crystal Palace. The Senegalese attacker shot over after being played in by Nicholas Jackson, who had dispossessed Dayot Upamecano. France struggled to create clear chances until the second half, when Olise and Mbappé combined to break the deadlock. Olise’s cross found Mbappé, who rounded goalkeeper Édouard Mendy to score. Sadio Mané’s foul on Mbappé in the 70th minute drew a penalty shout, but the VAR-reviewed decision went against Senegal. The Australian-Iranian referee Alireza Faghani waved play on despite replays suggesting contact.

Sadio Mané leads Senegal against France at World Cup

Barcola, who entered as a substitute, capitalized on his first touch to double France’s lead. Rabiot’s through ball set up the Paris Saint-Germain attacker, who finished coolly past Mendy. Mbappé’s second goal came in the 90th minute, a thunderous strike from distance that completed the scoring. Senegal’s consolation came from 18-year-old Ibrahim Mbaye, who pulled one back in stoppage time.