June 16, 2026 at – 18:07
This Tuesday, the French team exhibited its credentials as a candidate for the 2026 World Cup title with its 3-1 victory over Senegal, which had a great first half, but succumbed due to the individual quality of the Frenchmen.
One of the most anticipated matches of the first date of the World Cup North America 2026 was that of France against Senegalby Group I, which lived up to the magnitude of the event. The champions in 1998 and 2018 had a victorious debut 3-1.
Although the European team was the one that took the initiative, at times they cornered the opponent, the African team had favorable opportunities to score, a shot on the post, an almost miraculous rebound, erroneous definitions.
Didier Deschamps’ team, full of figures, looked for the unevenness in the first stage by all means, but also went through scares when they were unbalanced.
The statistical data of the initial fraction indicated 57 percent of possession for France, although with only one shot on goal against five for Senegal, who did not need to turn as many times to do damage. A technical tie in passing accuracy, with no disciplinary sanctions before the break.
In the complementary match, the VAR determined an irregularity due to an alleged foul in the penalty area. Sadio Mane about Kylian Mbappébut the Australian referee Alireza Faghani dismissed the penalty.
Shortly after, parity was broken. Michael Olise’s surgical pass for Kylian Mbappé’s first definition.
The response was immediate, with the resolution of Nicolas Jackson who did not get on the scoreboard due to an advanced position.
He 2-0 The newly admitted Bradley Barcola did it, after a great qualification from Rabiot. Difficult file, but settled by France thanks to its individualities.
The discount was pointed out by Ibrahim Mbaye with powerful shot. Senegal did not have time to dream of a tie, because immediately, with a spectacular shot, Mbappe established the 3-1.
On the second date, France will play against Iraq on Monday the 22nd in Philadelphia (6:00 p.m., Paraguayan time), while Senegal will face Norway that same day, in New Jersey (9:00 p.m.).
Match details
Stadium: Metlife, New Jersey. Referee: Alireza Faghani. Attendees: George Lakrindis and Andrew Lindsay (from Australia). Fourth and fifth referees: Sandro Schaerer and Stephane de Almeida (Switzerland). VAR: Abdullah Alshehri (Saudi Arabia). AVAR: Armando Villarreal (United States). VAR support: Tatiana Guzmán (Nicaragua).
France: Mike Maignan; Jules Koundé, William Saliba, Dayot Upamecano and Theo Hernández; Aurelien Tchouaméni and Adrien Rabiot; Michael Olise, Ousmane Dembelé (80′ Bradley Barcola), Desiré Doué (87′ Rayan Cherki); Kylian Mbappé. DT: Didier Deschamps.
Senegal: Edouard Mendy Krepin Diatta, Kalidou Koulibaly, Moussa Niakhaté and El Hadji Malick Diouf; Lamine Camara (75′ Habib Diarra), Idrissa Gueye (88′ Pathé Ismaël Ciss) and Pepe Gueye (83′ Iliman Ndiaye); Ismaila Sarr (75′ Ibrahim Mbaye), Nicolas Jackson (83′ Ahmadou Bamba Dieng) and Sadio Mané. DT: Pepe Thiaw.
Goals: 65′ and 96′ Kylian Mbappé, 81′ Bradley Barcola (F); 95′ Ibrahim Mbaye (S). Reprimanded: There was none. Corner kicks: France 6-Senegal 4.
