French National team poses prior to their match versus Senegal.
East Rutherford, NJ – The France National Team cruised to a 3-1 victory over Senegal in a 2026 FIFA World Cup Group Stage match on Tuesday afternoon.
The match kicked off at MetLife Stadium to a crowd of 80,000.
Starting Lineups & Substitutes for France versus Senegal.
France starting lineup: 4-2-3-1 | Mike Maignan, Jules Koundé, William Saliba, Dayot Upamencano, Theo Hernández, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Adrien Rabiot, Désiré Doué, Michael Olise, Ousmane Dembélé, Kylian Mbappé (C)
France substitutes: |Brice Samba, Robin Risser, Bradley Barcola, Rayan Cherki, Ibrahima Konaté, Lucas Digne, Lucas Hernández, Malo Gusto, Maxence Lacroix, Manu Koné, N’Golo Kante, Warren Zaïre-Emery, Jean-Philippe Mateta, Magnes Akliouche, Marcus Thuram
Senegal starting lineup: 4-3-3 | Édouard Mendy, Krépin Diatta, Kalidou Koulibaly, Moussa Niakhaté, Hadji Diouf, Lamine Camara, Idrissa Gueye, Pape Gueye, Ismaïla Sarr, Sadio Mané, Nicolas Jackson
Senegal substitutes: | Pathé Ciss, Bamba Dieng, Iliman Ndiaye, Ibrahim Mbaye, Habib Diarra, Yehvann Diouf, Mamadou Sarr, Abdoulaye Seck, Assane Diao, Cherif Ndiaye, Ismail Jacobs, Pape Sarr, Bara Ndiaye, Mory Diaw, Antoine Mendy
Officials: | Alireza Faghani (Center Official), George Lakrindis (AR1), James Lindsay (AR2), Sandro Schärer (4th official), & Abdullah Al-Shehri (Video Assistant Referee).
Kickoff between France & Senegal.
The match kicked off with France immediately launching the ball into Senegal’s defensive third, looking to pin their opponents back and establish an early foothold in the match.
Senegal had the first chance of the match in the 7th minute when an effort from the right side of the box by Ismaïla Sarr was blocked by Dayot Upamecano and cleared away.
Ousmane Dembélé threatened in the 19th minute, but his effort from outside the box was blocked before it could trouble the goalkeeper.
Nicolas Jackson had the best chance of the first half in the 25th minute when his shot toward goal rattled the post.
Senegal had another chance in the 40th minute when Sadio Mané tested goalkeeper Mike Maignan with a right-footed effort from outside the box, but the French keeper was equal to it.
After the initial 45+6 minutes, the match entered halftime with the scoreline level at 0-0.
Halftime between Senegal & France.
The second half kicked off with Senegal immediately launching the ball into France’s defensive third, looking to pin their opponents back and establish an early foothold in the match.
Désiré Doué had the first chance of the half just two minutes in, but his effort drifted narrowly wide of the left post.
Less than five minutes later, Michael Olise had another chance for France, but his left-footed effort from the center of the box was saved by goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.
France had another chance in the 57th minute when Kylian Mbappé’s effort was once again saved by goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.
Less than a minute later, Kylian Mbappé went down inside the penalty area following a challenge from Sadio Mané. The incident was reviewed by VAR, but the referee stood by the on-field decision and no penalty was awarded.
Entering the 66th minute, France took the lead.
In the 76th minute, Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw made his first two substitutions of the match replacing Ismaïla Sarr and Lamine Camara with Habib Diarra and Ibrahim Mbaye.
In the 80th minute, France head coach Didier Deschamps made his first substitution of the match replacing Ousmane Dembélé with Bradley Barcola.
Entering the 82nd minute, France added to their lead.
Midfielder Adrien Rabiot found Bradley Barcola in behind the Senegal defense, and with his first touches of the game, the midfielder applied a simple finish to make it 2-0.
Following the goal, Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw made two substitutions replacing Pape Gueye & Nicolas Jackson with Iliman Ndiaye & Bamba Dieng.
In the 87th minute, both teams made substitutions. France head coach Didier Deschamps replaced Désiré Doué with Rayan Cherki, while Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw made his final change of the match, bringing on Pathé Ciss for Idrissa Gueye.
Entering the 90+5 minute, Senegal pulled one back.
Forward Iliman Ndiaye found Ibrahim Mbaye, who drove into the penalty area, cut past his defender, and fired a powerful shot beyond Mike Maignan to make it 2-1.
Entering the 90+6 minute, France added to their lead once again.
Michael Olise looked to drive into space before being fouled, but the ball fell kindly to Kylian Mbappé, who unleashed a stunning strike from more than 40 yards out and into the back of the net. The goal was Mbappé’s 58th for France, moving him into sole possession of first place on the nation’s all-time scoring list and extending the lead to 3-1.
After 90+8 minutes, the match concluded in a 3-1 victory for France.
Full time between France & Senegal.
The France National Team are on the road set to take on the Iraq National Team in a 2026 FIFA World Cup Group Stage match. The match will kick off in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, at Lincoln Financial Field on Monday, June 22nd 29th at 5:00 p.m. EST.
The Senegal National Team are on the road set to take on the Norway National Team in a 2026 FIFA World Cup Group Stage match. The match will kick off in East Rutherford, New Jersey at MetLife Stadium on Monday, June 22nd at 8:00 p.m. EST.
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