France opened Group I with a 3-1 victory over Senegal at MetLife Stadium, thanks to a double from Kylian Mbappe. The Real Madrid forward opened scoring in the 66th minute after Michael Olise’s defence‑splitting pass, then sealed the win with a long‑range strike in stoppage time. The win puts France top of the group after a quiet first half and restores confidence after a sluggish start.

Mbappe’s second goal pushed his tally to 58 for Les Bleus, surpassing Olivier Giroud’s 57‑goal mark. The strike also raised his World Cup total to 14, equalling German great Gerd Muller and leaving only Ronaldo (15) and Miroslav Klose (16) ahead. Senegal briefly reduced the deficit when substitute Ibrahim Mbaye scored, but France responded within two minutes, further solidifying his legacy in French football.

Deschamps’ front four – Mbappe, Olise, Ousmane Dembélé and Desire Doué – finally found rhythm after a first‑half that yielded a single shot. A denied penalty for Mbappe sparked controversy, yet France’s clinical second half erased Senegal’s early pressure, highlighted by Ismaila Sarr’s miss from six yards. The result cements France as early tournament favourites and underscores Deschamps’ tactical adjustments.