sports
France Beats Senegal 3-1 in World Cup Opener as Mbappé Scores Twice
France defeated Senegal 3-1 in the opening match of Group I at the 2026 World Cup. Kylian Mbappé scored both of his goals after halftime.
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France defeated Senegal 3-1 on Tuesday in the opening match of Group I at the 2026 World Cup in New Jersey. France trailed after a quiet first half but scored three times after the break. Kylian Mbappé scored twice for the two-time champions.
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Mbappé's brace lifted his career World Cup total to 14 goals, moving him ahead of Pelé and Lionel Messi on the all-time list. He also became France's leading scorer in World Cup matches. The match was the first fixture in what France 24 called the group of death. Mbappé's second goal was described by ESPN as a stunner. France 24 broadcast the final score on 16 June 2026 at 23:18.
“I play to leave a mark on my country's history and to help my team win the World Cup," Mbappé told reporters after the match. Mbappé added that the team is not fully up to speed yet but that starting with a win provides peace of mind.”
The same France 24 broadcast noted that the Africa CDC had warned the Ebola crisis in Congo could become the worst on record. It also recalled that on 16 June 1976 thousands of students in Soweto protested against apartheid education policies. Fans had gathered in anticipation of seeing Mbappé, according to AP reporting.
His two goals against Senegal brought his World Cup tally to 14 and confirmed his status as France's all-time leading scorer in the tournament.
