France Defeats Senegal 3-1 – Kylian Mbappé Becomes Top Scorer for the “Bleus”

New York – 16.06.2026: At the MetLife Stadium in New York, the French national team opened their 2026 World Cup campaign with a convincing 3-1 win against Senegal. Kylian Mbappé emerged as the match winner by scoring twice, overtaking Olivier Giroud as the all-time top scorer for the “Bleus”.

The game started sluggishly for France, as Senegal defended very compactly and left little space for offensive actions. The first notable chance came in the 66th minute when Mbappé struck after a precise pass from Michael Olise, confidently placing the ball in the net. With this lead, the confidence within the French team grew significantly.

In the 82nd minute, substitute Bradley Barcola increased the lead to 2-0 with a delicate chip over Senegalese goalkeeper Edouard Mendy. However, Senegal fought hard and scored a consolation goal through Ibrahim Mbaye in injury time, the 95th minute. Just one minute later, Mbappé restored the two-goal advantage with a stunning long-range shot, sealing the 3-1 final score.

Mbappé has now scored 58 goals for the national team, surpassing the previous record holder Olivier Giroud (57 goals). Furthermore, it was his 14th goal at World Cups, putting him just two goals behind Miroslav Klose, who holds the record with 16 World Cup goals.

The performance of the French team was rated solid by coach Didier Deschamps. He highlighted the positive aspects but also urged improvements in defense to be more stable in the upcoming games. “The victory is a good start, but there is still much work for the entire team,” said Deschamps.

France is now preparing for the next group match against Iraq. The team aims to consolidate their position in the group with this performance and especially Mbappé’s top form. The prospect of a third World Cup title motivates players, coach, and fans alike. With a mix of experienced players and promising young talents, France presents itself as one of the favorites in this World Cup.

Alongside sporting success, organizational and tactical adjustments are still needed, which Deschamps intends to use to prepare the team for upcoming challenges. The coach also relies on continued close cooperation and discipline within the squad. The opening victory against Senegal is an important first step on the road to the desired championship.