France kicked off their World Cup campaign with a convincing 3-1 victory over Senegal, with Kylian Mbappe scoring a brace to lead the defending champions to a winning start. The match, played at the Stade de France, saw the hosts dominate possession from the outset, but Senegal proved resilient in defense.
First Half Dominance
France took the lead in the 23rd minute when Mbappe collected a pass from Antoine Griezmann and slotted the ball past Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy. The Paris Saint-Germain star doubled the advantage just before halftime, heading home a cross from Theo Hernandez.
Senegal Fight Back
Senegal pulled one back early in the second half through Sadio Mane, who finished a swift counter-attack. However, France restored their two-goal cushion when Olivier Giroud scored in the 68th minute, heading in from a corner kick.
Clinical Performance
France coach Didier Deschamps praised his team's clinical performance. "We started well and controlled the game. Kylian was exceptional, but the whole team showed great character," he said. Senegal coach Aliou Cisse acknowledged France's quality but lamented defensive lapses.
The victory puts France top of Group D, with their next match against Denmark. Senegal will look to bounce back against Australia.
