◤FIFA World Cup in United States, Canada and Mexico◢ Kylian Mbappé scored twice and breaks two records in France's 3-1 win over Senegal..

France defeated Senegal by 3-1 in their opening Group I match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in United States, Canada and Mexico match at the MetLife Stadium in New York, New Jersey, on Tuesday.

In the first half, Jackson's shot was deflected by Maignan and hit the post, while Sarr's close-range follow-up shot somehow flew high out of the pitch. In the second half, Mané's apparent foul on Mbappé in the box went unpunished, sparking controversy. Later, the latter slotted home from close range, and Jackson's goal following a one-on-one attempt was disallowed for offside. Barcola then scored by chipping over the goalkeeper. In the crucial moments, Mbaye scored with a powerful shot, and Mbappé netted a stunning long-range strike. Ultimately, France defeated Senegal 3-1. After this round of matches, Les Bleus temporarily sits second in the group with 3 points; the Lions of Teranga temporarily sits third in the group with 0 points.

First Half

In the 24th minute, Senegal launched a quick counter-attack. El Hadji Malick Diouf intercepted the ball and delivered a through ball from his own back half. After beating the offside trap, Nicolas Jackson quickly followed up, got the ball, and dribbled into the left side of the box before volleying with his left foot. His shot was initially saved by Mike Maignan's outstretched leg, deflected and unfortunately strucked the bottom left corner of the the post before bounching out out. Senegal missed a golden opportunity to break the deadlock first!

In the 6th minute of first-half stoppage time, Sadio Mané passes horizontally from the byline at the left side of the box. His pass was initially blocked and cleared off not far away by William Saliba. Ismaïla Sarr quickly followed up and upon picking up the loose ball, took a right-footed follow-up shot from a very close distance in the box, but his shot somehow flew high and went out of the pitch. Senegal once again missing a golden opportunity to break the deadlock first!

At halftime, France and Senegal temporarily enter the break with a goalless 0-0 draw.

Second Half

Both teams switched sides as the match continued. In the 48th minute, Dayot Upamecano played a long pass from his own back half. After beating the offside trap, Désiré Doué quickly followed up, got the ball and dribbled to just outside of the penalty area before taking a left-footed long shot, but his shot went just slightly wide of the bottom left corner of the post.

4 minutes later, France launched a quick counter-attack. Jules Koundé intercepted the ball and played a through ball from near the midfield center circle. Michael Olise quickly followed up, got the ball, and dribbled into the center of the box before volleying with his left foot against the the outrushing Édouard Mendy, but his shot was blocked by the latter's outstretched leg.

In the 57th minute, France launched a quick counter-attack. Lamine Camara made an error while clearing the ball in his own back half, allowing Olise to intercept the ball and made a straight pass from the attacking third. ball forward. Kylian Mbappé quickly followed up, got the ball and took a few steps before striking the ball with his right foot against the outrushing Mendy at the left side of the box, but his shot was blocked by the latter's outstretched leg.

2 minutes later, Mbappé dribbled into the right side of the penalty area and appeared to be brought down by Sadio Mané, who was tracking back. The referee refused to award France a penalty, and the VAR assistant referee intervened. After reviewing the VAR, the referee ruled that Mbappe had dived and therefore refused to award a penalty. This decision caused considerable controversy.

In the 66th minute, Olise played a precise through ball from the right wing. After beating the offside trap, Mbappé quickly followed up and upon receiving the pass, slotted the ball into the bottom left corner of the net from a very close distance in the box with a right-footed shot, giving France a 1-0 lead!

2 minutes later, Idrissa Gana Gueye played a long pass from near the midfield center circle. Jackson quickly followed up, got the ball and dribbled into the right side of the box before volleying the ball into the top left corner of the empty net past the outrushing Maignan with his right footed. However the linesman immediately raised his flag, indicating that Jackson was caught offside, hence the goal was disallowed!

In the 82nd minute, Adrien Rabiot played a through ball from the midfield center circle. After beating the offside trap, Bradley Barcola quickly followed up, got the ball and dribbled into the right side of the box before chipping the ball into the empty net past the outrushing Mendy, extending France's lead to 2-0! The Paris Saint-Germain player and potential Liverpool transfer target scored just two minutes after coming on as a substitute!

In the 5th minute of injury time, Iliman Ndiaye passes horizontally from the midfield center circle. Ibrahim Mbaye quickly followed up, got the ball and dribbled into the right side of the box before volleying the ball with his right foot that flew straight into the top corner of the net, Senegal pulled a goal back at 2-1!

Seconds later, Olise passes horizontally from near the midfield center circle. Mbappé got the ball and took a few steps before taking a right-footed long shot from 30 yards outside of the penalty area, his shot flew straight into the top left corner of the net, turning it into a world-class strike that Mendy couldn't reach, as well as sealing a 3-1 victory for France! With this goal, Mbappé, who scored twice in this match, broke the record, surpassing Olivier Giroud to become Les Bleu's all-time leading top goalscorer (58 goals). He also equaled the record of the late German legend Gerd Müller with 14 goals, becoming the third-highest scorer in World Cup history!

In the 8th minute of stoppage time, Mbaye crossed into the box from the right wing. The pass was blocked by Aurélien Tchouaméni and nearly caused an own-goal. Fortunately Maignan managed to clear it off the line! France escaped a close call!

When the final whistle is blown, France defeated Senegal by 3-1.

Image source: Internet / AFP