(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Kylian Mbappe Scores Twice as France Defeat Senegal 3-1 in World Cup Opener
June 17, 2026
France began their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign with an impressive 3-1 victory over Senegal, thanks to a brilliant second-half performance led by captain Kylian Mbappe.
The French star scored twice and became his country’s all-time leading goalscorer, helping the two-time world champions secure an important win in their opening Group I match.
Senegal Impress Early
Senegal started the match with confidence and created several promising opportunities during the first half.
The African side looked dangerous on the counterattack, with Nicolas Jackson and Ismaila Sarr testing the French defense. Jackson came close to opening the scoring when his low effort struck the post after a rapid attacking move.
France controlled possession but struggled to create clear chances against Senegal’s organized defensive setup.
Mbappe Breaks the Deadlock
After a closely contested first half, France raised their level following the break.
The breakthrough arrived in the 66th minute when Michael Olise delivered an excellent pass into the penalty area, allowing Mbappe to make a well-timed run and calmly finish past the goalkeeper.
The goal shifted momentum firmly in France’s favor and provided the spark the team had been searching for.
France Extend Their Advantage
France doubled their lead in the 82nd minute through substitute Bradley Barcola.
Shortly after coming onto the field, Barcola raced onto a through ball and produced a composed finish to put the defending European champions in control of the contest.
Senegal responded in stoppage time when Ibrahim Mbaye produced an excellent individual effort to reduce the deficit and briefly raise hopes of a late comeback.
Historic Night for Mbappe
Any hopes of a Senegal comeback were quickly ended when Mbappe scored his second goal of the evening moments later.
The France captain unleashed a powerful long-range strike that found the top corner, sealing a 3-1 victory and setting a new national goalscoring record with his 58th international goal.
The brace also increased Mbappe’s World Cup tally to 14 goals, further strengthening his place among the tournament’s most prolific scorers.
Strong Start for France
The victory gives France an ideal start to their World Cup campaign and underlines their status as one of the tournament favorites.
While Senegal showed plenty of quality and determination, France’s experience and attacking talent proved decisive in the second half.
With Mbappe leading the way, France will be confident heading into their upcoming Group I fixtures as they pursue another successful World Cup run.
