There was frustration in the first half and a champions’ response in the second. Playing superb football after the break, France beat Senegal 3-1 in their first match of the 2026 World Cup. Captain Kylian Mbappe scored twice to set the record as France’s all-time leading scorer. In all, the star’s goal tally in a France shirt now stands at 58.
At New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium, Didier Deschamps’ side were out of rhythm for the first 45 minutes. Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, Michael Olise and Desire Doue — all four stars were repeatedly forced to drop deep to collect the ball. There was no edge to the attack. For the whole first half France played as if curled up in a shell.
Senegal, on the other hand, were the more dangerous side. Nicolas Jackson’s shot hit the post, and Ismaila Sarr missed an easy chance before the break. Failing to take those chances proved costly for the African side.
In the second half Deschamps changed his approach. Bringing Olise into the middle and pushing Dembele out to the wing changed the picture of the match. From Olise’s precise through-ball, Mbappe scored to put France ahead.
Then substitute Bradley Barcola came off the bench to extend the lead. Although Ibrahim Mbaye pulled one back for Senegal in stoppage time, Mbappe had the last word. From around 30 yards he completed his double with a superb shot.
With that double Mbappe took for himself the record as France’s all-time leading international scorer.
Subdued in the first half, irresistible in the second — France showed both their faces in a single match. But the football of the final 45 minutes made clear why they are among the strong title contenders at this World Cup.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report