Mbappé Breaks Record as France Avenges 2002 Loss to Senegal

The French men's national football team started their 2026 World Cup campaign with a 3-1 victory over Senegal on Tuesday. It was the first meeting between the two sides since 2002, when Senegal shocked the then-world champions. This time, France secured revenge and a winning start.

Kylian Mbappé starred with two goals, reaching 58 career strikes for France to surpass Olivier Giroud as the country's all-time leading scorer. He also moved to 14 World Cup goals, tying Germany's Gerd Müller for third place on the all-time list. Bradley Barcola scored the other French goal, while Ibrahim Mbaye pulled one back for Senegal.

Senegal started brightly and had the first clear chances. In the 25th minute, Nicolas Jackson hit the post, with the ball bouncing off French goalkeeper Mike Maignan but rolling wide. Deep into first-half stoppage time, Ismaïla Sarr shot over from close range, missing a golden opportunity to take the lead. France's first real chance came in the 53rd minute when Michael Olise's shot was saved by Senegalese goalkeeper Édouard Mendy. Later, Mbappé went down in the box after contact with Sadio Mané, but no penalty was awarded.

The deadlock was broken in the 66th minute when Olise played a pass into space for Mbappé, who slotted home to make it 1-0. Sixteen minutes later, substitute Barcola finished from Adrien Rabiot's pass to double the lead. In stoppage time, Mbaye scored after a swift counterattack, but Mbappé quickly restored the two-goal cushion with a precise long-range strike, making it 3-1.

This is the first World Cup to feature 48 teams, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The group stage runs until June 27, with the knockout stage beginning June 28. The final is scheduled for July 19. Argentina are the defending champions, having beaten France in the 2022 final.