SOCCER: France win as Mbappe ignites World Cup opener

France overcame a sluggish first half to beat Senegal 3-1 in their World Cup opener in New York/New Jersey. Kylian Mbappé scored twice, including a record-breaking 58th international goal, as the reigning champions secured a strong start to their campaign.

Reuters

June 17, 2026

SOCCER: France win as Mbappe ignites World Cup opener

Jun 16, 2026; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; France forward Kylian Mbappe (10) is stopped by Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy (16) during a Group I match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup at New York New Jersey Stadium.

Vincent Carchietta/Imagn Images/Reuters

France shook themselves awake after a sleepy first half on Tuesday to beat Senegal 3-1 in the New York/New Jersey Stadium for a perfect start to their World Cup campaign.

While the Africans had looked the stronger team in the first half of the Group I match, the second period was a different matter as French class ultimately proved the difference.

Inevitably, it was France captain Kylian Mbappe who broke the deadlock, unlocking the Senegalese defence in the 66th minute for a record-equalling 57th goal for his country.

Substitute Bradley Barcola added a second, and Mbappe broke Olivier Giroud's record with his 58th France goal thanks to a scorching strike from outside the box deep into added time, seconds after Ibrahim Mbaye's consolation strike for Senegal.

Iraq play Norway in Boston in Group later on Tuesday.

-Reporting by Ossian Shine, editing by Ed Osmond/Reuters