France Defeats Senegal 3-1 as Mbappé Scores Twice in World Cup Opener

Kylian Mbappé scored twice for France in a 3-1 victory over Senegal on June 16 at New York/New Jersey Stadium. The match opened France’s 2026 World Cup Group I campaign before an attendance of 80,545. Mbappé converted a pass from Michael Olise in the 66th minute to open the scoring.

Bradley Barcola, who entered as a substitute, added France’s second goal later in the match. Ibrahim Mbaye scored for Senegal in stoppage time. Mbappé then struck from long range in the 96th minute to complete the scoring and give France the final margin.

With the two goals, Mbappé reached 58 international goals for France and 14 career World Cup goals. He passed Pelé’s 12 World Cup goals and the 13 goals each of Lionel Messi and Just Fontaine, moving level with Gerd Müller. Miroslav Klose holds the record with 16 World Cup goals, followed by Brazilian Ronaldo with 15.

The match marked Mbappé’s 99th appearance for France. Coach Didier Deschamps, in his 14th year leading the team, plans to step down after the tournament. Senegal, led by Sadio Mané and featuring four starters born in France, played its first competitive match since winning the Africa Cup of Nations final in January.

Le Monde reported that Senegal showed how strong they are before a packed house of 80,545 in a game played in bright sunshine with the skyscrapers of Manhattan in the distance. Le Monde reported that the decision by coach Didier Deschamps to move Olise infield from the right wing was crucial in swinging the game the way of the two-time World Cup winners.

France next faces Iraq before a match against Norway.