News Focus
- Kylian Mbappé scores twice to break Olivier Giroud’s France goal record, reaching 58 international goals
- Les Bleus struggle in first half but improve after tactical switch involving Michael Olise and Ousmane Dembélé
- Bradley Barcola adds third goal for France while 18-year-old Ibrahim Mbaye scores consolation for Senegal
- Didier Deschamps’ side recovers from sloppy start to defeat former African champions 3-1 in New Jersey
France began their World Cup campaign with a chaotic performance that transformed into a masterclass of individual brilliance. The 2018 champions looked like strangers during a goalless first half against Senegal at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Their star forwards could not find their rhythm, and the African side created the better opportunities.
Manager Didier Deschamps watched his attacking quartet struggle to connect. Michael Olise drifted from his position on the right wing but failed to influence the match. Désiré Doué remained quiet on the left flank. In the centre, Ousmane Dembélé and Kylian Mbappé appeared frustrated, gesturing at each other as passes went astray.
Senegal pressed aggressively and nearly took the lead when Nicolas Jackson struck the post. The Senegalese players cut through the French midfield with ease, exposing gaps in the European side’s defence. Mbappé lost possession several times, drawing groans from French journalists in the press box.
Everything changed after the interval. Deschamps moved Olise into a central role and shifted Dembélé to the right wing. This alteration unlocked the attack. Suddenly, France found space and began to test Senegal’s goalkeeper Édouard Mendy.
The breakthrough arrived in the 66th minute. Olise threaded a perfect diagonal pass across the penalty area. Mbappé met the ball with a precise finish to equal Olivier Giroud’s national record of 57 goals. The striker added his 58th goal in the final moments, curling a powerful shot from distance past Mendy to seal the victory.
Between Mbappé’s brace, substitute Bradley Barcola chipped the goalkeeper cleverly in the 82nd minute after a pass from Adrien Rabiot. Senegal’s young striker Ibrahim Mbaye had briefly given his team hope with a powerful strike, but the African champions could not stop France’s attacking firepower.
Deschamps defended his captain after the match. He admitted the team started poorly but praised Mbappé’s ruthless efficiency. The French players celebrated with their fans at the final whistle, the memory of their first-half struggles already fading.