Current European champion and leader of the FIFA rankings, France showed why they are one of the favorites to win the 2026 World Cup. In their debut against Senegal, this Tuesday (16), in New York (United States), the Les Blues team scored three times, two of them in stoppage time, in quick attacks, with no chance for the Senegalese defense. Mbappé and Bradley Barcola scored for the French and Ibrahim Mbaye scored for Senegal. In the first half, the African team almost opened the scoring thanks to a move by Nicolas Jackson. The play started with El Hadji Malick Diouf who advanced from the left side and reached Jackson in front. The Bayern Munich striker got rid of the marking and shot at the goal. The ball narrowly missed, after a clumsy save by French goalkeeper Mike Maignan. Related news: Brazil's rival in the World Cup, Haiti celebrates hope in the midst of crisis. Neymar goes to the field for the first time in training for the Brazilian team. Goalkeeper Vozinha shines against Spain and stands out in the World Cup. Senegalese pressure continued, despite reversals from France, full of players of African descent. With a constellation of talents on the field, including Kylian Mbappé, the Les Blues team missed important shots and stopped in front of the Senegalese defense, without being able to finish. France start off strong! 💪#FIFAWorldCup June 16, 2026 In the 40th minute, referee Alireza Faghani, an Iranian-born Australian, let a free kick pass in favor of the Senegalese team, against Ismaïla Sarr, who fell into the opponent's field. The signal was that the judge would not whistle for possible collisions. Then, Faghani also did not score a controversial play, against Mbappé, in the Senegalese area, which could have been a penalty. The move was reviewed by the VAR (video assistant referee), but Faghani did not change his decision, ordered the game to continue and scored a goal kick. In the final moments of the first half, Senegal had a great chance to score the first goal. On the left, Sadio Mané, the team's star, received the ball from El Hadji Diouf, who passed it back to Mané and passed it to Ismaïla, face to face with the goal. The right-winger, however, shot wide. In the second half, France came back with strength and managed to finish in the first few minutes. The young Désiré Doué, from Paris Saint-Germain, and midfielder Michael Olise, a Bayern player, pressed in attack, but their shots stopped several times on Senegal goalkeeper Édouard Mendy, who made incredible saves. France's first goal only came in the 21st minute, from Kylian Mbappé, after a well-placed pass from Olise, who crossed from outside the area. The Senegalese reaction came quickly: Jackson received a great pass, but it was offside and the move had to be disallowed. The final 15 minutes were full of pressure from France. Bradley Barcola, who had just left the bench, doubled for the Blues, after stealing the ball. France already led the score 2-0. Senegal then counterattacked. Ibrahim Mbaye, a French player naturalized from Senegal, scored a penalty in the 50th minute, angering French coach Didier Deschamps. He was caught on camera throwing a bottle of water hard on the ground and demanding attitude from the team. You voted Michael Olise Superior Player of the Match! ✨ #FIFAWorldCup #SuperiorPOTM pic.twitter.com/xtreeBG5jv June 16, 2026 There was barely time for the Senegalese to celebrate before the Blues reacted.  From midfield, Olise - voted best in the match by FIFA - placed the ball at the feet of Mbappé, who brilliantly shot the ball into the back of the net, extending the French lead to 3-1. scoring France's third goal. The French striker reached 13 goals in World Cups, surpassing Pelé (12) and tying with Lionel Messi (13).  At a disadvantage, Senegal was unable to stop the French attack, especially after the substitutions. The Blues found space and the quick passes excited the stands. The Senegalese still cleared crosses, but they were disorganized and did not have the same opportunities as in the first half. In the next round, France plays against Iraq, in Philadelphia, on Monday (22). On the same day, in New York, Senegal faces Norway.