Kylian Mbappé #10 of France celebrates the 3-1 victory between France and Senegal in Group I of the 2026 FIFA World Cup at New York-New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on June 16, 2026. (Picture by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Pictures)
France opened the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a 3-1 win over Senegal.
Kylian Mbappe gave his workforce an fulfilling begin to the match with two targets. The workforce might be hoping to reap the benefits of this expertise and advance to the tip this time as nicely.
France seemed fairly shaky within the first half, struggling to deal with Senegal’s tempo and directness in transition. Nonetheless, within the second half, they took management and fully outplayed their opponents.
France gained the World Cup in 2018 and completed as runners-up in 2022. Coach Didier Deschamps had rather a lot to be optimistic about after watching his workforce’s sport tonight, and might be hoping that his workforce can go all the best way.
right here catch off facetLet’s check out how the French gamers fared within the difficult match in opposition to Senegal.
Mike Maignan – 6/10
The goalkeeper may do little for a lot of the match, however he ought to have executed higher on Senegal’s late objective. His placement was neat and he seemed calm at any time when referred to as for motion.
Jules Kunde – 6.5/10
Kounde supplied vitality from the appropriate flank and was usually dependable defensively. They struggled at occasions with Senegal’s tempo, however recovered nicely and helped France keep their type in a troublesome first half.
Dayo Upamecano – 7/10
Bayern Munich’s defender seemed secure all through. He seemed dominant within the air, however was uncovered at occasions throughout Senegal’s speedy assaults. As soon as France took the lead, they improved considerably after the break.
William Saliba – 6.5/10
Saliba’s composure on the ball helped France play from the again below strain. Senegal’s attackers brought about occasional issues, however Arsenal’s defenders saved their cool and produced a subdued however strong efficiency.
Theo Hernandez – 6.5/10
Considered one of France’s most adventurous defenders, Hernandez was all the time seeking to push ahead and stretch Senegal’s closing line. Though he was often examined defensively, he was an lively contributor in possession.
Aurelien Choameny – 7/10
France struggled to take the initiative within the early phases, however Choameni grew to combine into the sport. His ball-winning capacity and positional self-discipline turned more and more vital as Senegal started to tire and France started to dictate the tempo.
Adrian Rabiot – 6.5/10
Rabiot labored arduous in midfield and helped France regain authority after a troublesome opening sport. Though he was not significantly influential within the closing third, his expertise and bodily presence proved invaluable. It additionally produced Bradley Barcola’s second objective of the sport.
Michael Orise – 8.5/10
The artistic heartbeat of the French assault. It was a second of actual high quality as Oliseh’s imaginative and prescient and passing repeatedly lower open the Senegalese protection and he assisted Kylian Mbappé’s opening objective. Every time France made threats, he additionally bought concerned.
Ousmane Dembele – 7/10
Dembele all the time posed a risk along with his tempo and direct operating. His closing ball was shaky at occasions, however he stretched Senegal’s protection all through the match and created house for his teammates.
Want Do – 6/10
He labored arduous and contributed to sustaining the attacking strain on France. Nonetheless, they lacked high quality on the finish and by no means actually threatened Senegal with their expertise or scoring capacity.
Kylian Mbappé – 9/10
Individuals who make a distinction. Mbappe was comparatively quiet at occasions in the course of the match, however as soon as once more proved why he is likely one of the world’s elite gamers. Two scientific targets determined the competition and allowed France to begin their World Cup marketing campaign with most factors.
substitute
Bradley Barcola – 8/10
Barcola introduced vitality, urgency and leading edge to the French assault. His objective successfully ended Senegal’s hopes of a comeback and capped off an incredible match. The younger winger made a big effect each time he bought on the ball.
Rayan Cherki – 6.5/10
He added recent legs to the midfield and helped France end the sport comfortably. He seemed energetic after his introduction, however did not have sufficient time to make a lot of an impression on the competition.
