France didn’t just open their 2026 World Cup campaign with a win, they made a statement. Led by a relentless Kylian Mbappé, Les Bleus powered past Senegal 3–1 at MetLife Stadium, shaking off a sluggish first half before turning on the style after the break.
And, as has become routine, Mbappé was right at the center of it all.
The 25-year-old forward scored twice, first to draw level with Olivier Giroud’s long-standing tally of 57 international goals, and then, in stoppage time, to blow past it with a stunning 30-yard strike that left the crowd gasping. It was the kind of goal that doesn’t just win games; it lingers.
By the final whistle, Mbappé had also quietly edged past both Lionel Messi and Pelé in World Cup goal totals, reaching 14, a remarkable feat for a player still in his mid-twenties.
But for all the late fireworks, the match didn’t start that way.
France looked cautious, almost hesitant, in the opening 45 minutes. Senegal, disciplined and compact, forced Didier Deschamps’ side to play sideways more than forward. Chances were few, and the tempo felt muted, hardly the start expected from defending champions.
That changed after halftime.
France returned sharper, quicker in transition, and far more direct. The breakthrough eventually came through Mbappé, who began to find pockets of space that had been closed off earlier.
Then came the moment of flair. Substitute Bradley Barcola, making his World Cup debut, added France’s second with a composed finish that hinted at a player ready for the big stage. It was a goal that underlined France’s depth, the kind of bench strength that can decide tournaments.
Senegal, to their credit, refused to fold. A late strike from Ibrahim Mbaye pulled one back and briefly injected tension into the closing stages. But it was too little, too late.
France had already seized control, and Mbappé had already written the night’s headline.
After the match, the mood in the French camp was measured but confident. There’s a sense this team knows exactly what it’s capable of, and just how dangerous it becomes when Mbappé is in this kind of form.
For Senegal, the defeat stings, but it’s not terminal. There were glimpses of resilience, especially in the first half, that suggest they won’t go quietly in this group.
As for France, the message is clear: they’re not easing into this World Cup. They’re accelerating, and with Mbappé rewriting records at will, the rest of the field has been put on notice.
The tournament is young. But already, one storyline is impossible to ignore.
