The World Cup favorites began their campaign with a shaky start, but a dynamic second half showcased a blend of physical prowess and technical skill that few clubs, let alone national teams, can match. With Kylian Mbappé equaling and then surpassing the record for goals scored for France, alongside exceptional playmaking from Michael Olise, Les Bleus delivered a convincing performance.
Just after the hour mark, Mbappé capitalized on a brilliant assist from Olise, turning a match that had begun as a tightly contested battle into a one-sided affair.
In the final ten minutes, substitute Bradley Barcola extended the lead, and although Senegal briefly threatened during a chaotic added time, Mbappé’s second goal—his 58th for France—made him the country’s all-time leading scorer, surpassing Olivier Giroud.
With several New York Knicks stars in attendance at MetLife Stadium, an electrifying atmosphere enveloped the pre-match proceedings.
France had the upper hand in the opening 25 minutes, with Ousmane Dembélé nearly setting up Mbappé in the box during the 11th minute, though the captain failed to control the pass. A moment of casual play from Kalidou Koulibaly in the 14th minute nearly cost France, but Édouard Mendy managed to avert disaster. Dembélé almost capitalized on a mistake from Mendy in the 24th minute, but the keeper held on.
After weathering that initial period, Senegal started to find their rhythm and created a legitimate scoring opportunity in the 25th minute.
A crucial sliding tackle from El Hadji Malick Diouf regained possession, sending Nicolas Jackson racing down the left. He surged into the box, firing a shot that hit the inside of the near post, with Mike Maignan fortunate to see it deflect wide off his heel.
Following a hydration break, Senegal appeared more composed, becoming increasingly dangerous on the counterattack. Just before half-time, they came close to taking the lead when Sadio Mané slipped into the French box and laid off a pass, but Ismaïla Sarr’s shot went over the bar.
France struggled to establish a solid attacking identity and lacked physical intensity, but they returned after halftime with renewed vigor and a more assertive presence. Desiré Doué attempted a shot right after the restart but missed the target. A few minutes later, he initiated a counter that nearly set up Mbappé, only for the ball to be intercepted.
Olise then had a chance to shine, intercepting the ball in midfield and going one-on-one with Mendy, who made a crucial save. Just four minutes later, Olise found Mbappé with a precise pass, but once again, Mendy intervened effectively.
By the 60-minute mark, France had taken control, and it seemed a goal was imminent. When Mbappé darted down the right and drew a sliding challenge from Mané inside the box, there was a collective gasp. Referee Alireza Faghani awarded a corner, despite video replays suggesting a possible foul. Ultimately, after consulting the monitor, Faghani decided against changing his call, surprising many in attendance.
This unusual decision did not alter the match’s direction as Olise and Mbappé continued their impressive interplay. Moments later, Olise drove through the center and slipped a ball past the Senegal defense, just out of Mbappé’s reach. However, the next time Olise received the ball, he unleashed a superb pass from 30 yards out, slicing through two lines of defenders. Mbappé, arriving from the left, got to the pass, turned, and effortlessly slotted the ball into the net.
Jackson had a couple of chances for Senegal following the opener, striking one into the top corner only to be flagged offside. The sense that France had secured the win was palpable as Les Bleus maintained a level of play that Senegal struggled to match.
Dembélé made way for Barcola, who soon sealed the deal by capitalizing on a diagonal pass from Adrien Rabiot, who had exploited the growing gaps in midfield, and calmly chipped the ball past Mendy.
Even with the match seemingly settled, the frenetic added time brought more drama. Substitute Ibrahim Mbaye fired a shot that Maignan could not stop. Not to be outdone, Mbappé responded with a powerful blast from distance, which Mendy could have handled better. One down, seven more to go.
