The World Cup favorites France began their campaign with a 3-1 victory over a resilient Senegal side on Tuesday, but for 45 minutes they looked anything but champions. It took a stunning second-half display from Kylian Mbappé to turn a disjointed performance into a comfortable win.
As the first half ended goalless, Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé hurried down the tunnel, deep in conversation, while the rest of the team trudged off with heads bowed. The body language told the story: France were struggling to find rhythm against a well-organized Senegal side that pressed aggressively and created the better chances, even hitting the post.
First-Half Woes
Didier Deschamps' side, boasting one of the most feared attacking lineups in the tournament, looked like strangers in the opening period. The front four of Mbappé, Dembélé, and their supporting cast struggled to connect, with misplaced passes and mistimed runs characterizing a listless display. Senegal, the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations champions, sat deep but sprang forward with pace, exposing gaps in the French midfield.
"We were not ourselves in the first half," Deschamps admitted after the match. "The pace was too slow, and we allowed them to dictate."
The African side's pressing forced errors, and only a lack of clinical finishing kept the scores level at the break. France's midfield, missing the suspended Aurélien Tchouaméni, lacked control, leaving the defense exposed.
Mbappé Takes Center Stage
The second half was a different story. Whatever was said at halftime—and Mbappé's animated discussion with Dembélé suggested he had plenty to say—sparked a transformation. The Paris Saint-Germain star, fresh off a Ballon d'Or-winning season, took the game by the scruff of its neck.
Within ten minutes of the restart, Mbappé danced past two defenders and curled a shot into the far corner to break the deadlock. The goal settled French nerves, and they began to find their flow. Dembélé soon added a second, tapping in from close range after a blistering counter-attack led by Mbappé.
Senegal pulled one back through a towering header from a corner, briefly threatening a comeback, but Mbappé restored the two-goal cushion with a clinical finish late on, sealing the 3-1 win. It was a performance that underlined why he is considered the heir to the Messi-Ronaldo throne—and why France remain the team to beat.
Key Takeaways
- Mbappé's importance cannot be overstated. When France needed a spark, the 27-year-old delivered with two goals and an assist.
- Senegal proved they are no pushovers. Their organization and pressing troubled France for long periods, and they will be a tough out for any opponent.
- France midfield concerns. Without Tchouaméni, the balance was off. Deschamps will need to address this before tougher tests.
- Slow starts could be costly. The disjointed first half will worry fans; against stronger teams, France might not be able to recover.
Quick Facts
Result: France 3-1 Senegal
Scorers: Kylian Mbappé (2), Ousmane Dembélé; Senegal scorer
Player of the Match: Kylian Mbappé
As reported by The Guardian.
