Mbappé double powers France past Senegal 3-1 in World Cup Group I opener

First-half stalemate

France dominated possession in the opening 45 minutes but created little against a compact Senegal defence. Ousmane Dembélé saw an early effort blocked, and the Senegalese threatened on the break: Nico Jackson hit the right post in the 24th minute after a counter-attack, the rebound grazing Mike Maignan‘s foot. Ismaïla Sarr then sent a close-range attempt over the bar just before half-time as the sides went into the interval scoreless.

Senegal threaten on the break

The African champions sat deep and looked dangerous on the counter, with Sadio Mané, Jackson and Sarr stretching the French backline. Pape Gueye controlled the tempo in midfield, and Édouard Mendy dealt with what little France could muster. Jackson’s effort that struck the upright was the closest either team came in a first half where Didier Deschamps’ side registered zero shots on target.

Olise unlocks Senegal

France emerged from the break with greater urgency. Michael Olise forced a fine save from Mendy in the 53rd minute after Jules Koundé won possession, and moments later Mendy again denied Mbappé. The game turned in the 66th minute when Olise threaded a defence-splitting pass into the path of Mbappé, who finished with his right foot to give France the lead, barely five minutes after a VAR review had turned down Mbappé’s penalty appeal following a challenge by Mané.

Mbappé stars

Senegal responded through Idrissa Mbaye, who levelled the match with a goal that threatened to make the final stages uncomfortable for the favourites. Bradley Barcola, on as a substitute, restored France’s lead after latching onto an Adrien Rabiot through-ball, exploiting the space left by the tiring Senegalese backline. Mbappé then sealed the victory with a powerful late strike to complete his brace and put the result beyond doubt.

Group I picture

France’s opening win places them top of Group I, which also includes Norway, led by Erling Haaland. The 2018 world champions and 2022 runners-up are once again among the tournament favourites under Deschamps, whose attacking quartet of Mbappé, Dembélé, Désiré Doué and Olise was fielded from the start. Senegal, under pressure for large spells, showed resilience and will look to bounce back in their remaining group fixtures.