France started the 2026 World Cup successfully. In the first match of Group I, Didier Deschamps' team defeated Senegal 3-1. Kylian Mbappe scored a double. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.

Group I, Matchday 1, June 17, 00:00, East Rutherford, MetLife Stadium

FRANCE – SENEGAL 3:1 (0:0). Goals: Mbappe 66 (1:0), Barcola 82 (2:0), Mbaye 90+5 (2:1), Mbappe 90+6 (3:1)

The first half was unexpectedly difficult for France. The team had more possession – 58% against 42%, but created almost nothing at Edouard Mendy's goal: only one shot and no shots on target. Senegal played tighter, deeper and more aggressive in transitions, not giving Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele and Michael Olise space between the lines.

The most dangerous moment of the half was for Senegal: in the 25th minute, Nicolas Jackson burst into the box, beat Dayot Upamecano and shot at the near post – the ball hit the post, then Mike Maignan's heel and went out for a goal kick. Later, Maignan saved France again after a powerful long-range shot from Sadio Mane.

After the break, France completely changed. If in the first half Deschamps' team created almost nothing, in the second they immediately began to break through Senegal's defense with quick through passes. Already in the 48th minute, Desire Doue shot dangerously. Then Mendy saved after Olise's shot, and in the 57th minute he prevented Mbappe from scoring after a pass from the same Olise. In the 59th minute, there was a controversial episode with Mbappe falling after contact with Mane, but after a VAR review, the referee did not award a penalty.

France's pressure finally led to a goal in the 66th minute: Olise made another cutting pass, Mbappe beat Kalidou Koulibaly and shot under the far post – 1:0. Senegal almost immediately responded with a goal from Jackson, but it was disallowed for an obvious offside. In the 82nd minute, France scored the second goal: Adrien Rabiot gave a great pass to Bradley Barcola, who went one-on-one with Mendy and chipped the goalkeeper – 2:0.

In stoppage time, Senegal brought back the intrigue. In the 90+5th minute, Ibrahima Mbaye pushed Theo Hernandez on the right edge of the box, moved forward and with a powerful shot from under Aurelien Tchouameni beat Maignan – 2:1. However, France almost immediately responded with a third goal: Mbappe scored a long-range shot into the top left corner to complete his double and put the game to bed. This goal was his 58th for the national team, making him the sole all-time top scorer in the history of the national team.

With three points, France tops Group I. In the second game of this quartet, Iraq will play Norway.

Also tonight, two games of Group J will take place: Argentina vs Algeria and Austria vs Jordan.