France secured a 3-1 victory over Senegal in a highly anticipated World Cup match marked by controversy and a strong second-half performance from Kylian Mbappe. The game took place on Sunday, with France’s forward continuing to cement his status as the national team’s all-time leading scorer.

The match featured a contentious moment when Senegal’s Sadio Mane appeared to have fouled Mbappe inside the penalty area. Referee Alireza Faghani initially awarded no penalty after consulting the video assistant referee (VAR). Faghani judged that Mbappe initiated the contact, a decision that sparked significant debate among observers and French supporters, with some questioning whether the referee would continue officiating in the tournament.

France started the match with a powerful attacking lineup featuring Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue, and Michael Olise. Despite a slow first half in which Senegal showed resilience and posed threats—most notably a near-goal that bounced off the post and France’s goalkeeper Mike Maignan—the French team failed to capitalize initially, managing just one shot on target in the opening 45 minutes. Senegal’s attack, led by Mane, Ismaila Sarr, and Nicolas Jackson, applied pressure but missed key chances.

After halftime, France adjusted their formation by moving Olise to a central role and shifting Dembele wide, which significantly improved their attacking rhythm. Desire Doue’s early second-half effort troubled Senegal’s goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, and both Mbappe and Olise tested the keeper on several occasions.

Mbappe opened the scoring with a well-timed run and precise finish following a through ball from Olise, marking his 13th World Cup goal. France extended their lead through a first-touch finish from substitute Bradley Barcola, who replaced Dembele. Senegal pulled a goal back in stoppage time through Ibrahim Mbaye, but Mbappe quickly responded by scoring a remarkable long-range strike immediately after kickoff, pushing his tally to 58 goals for France and surpassing Olivier Giroud as the national team’s leading scorer.

The match concluded with a dramatic sequence, including a goal-line save by Maignan, allowing France to maintain control. The victory avoided an upset reminiscent of France’s unexpected first-round exit in 2002 against Senegal, signaling a strong start to their World Cup campaign. Senegal entered the tournament coming off a month of turmoil, having been stripped of their continental title following a controversial walk-off in the Africa Cup of Nations final earlier in the year.

France coach Didier Deschamps fielded a notably attacking squad, balancing established stars with emerging talents. Senegal, featuring several current and former Premier League players, displayed a competitive edge but ultimately could not overcome France’s firepower.

The lineups for the match were as follows:

France: Maignan; Hernandez, Saliba, Upamecano, Kounde; Rabiot, Tchouameni; Doue (Cherki 87), Dembele (Barcola 80), Olise, Mbappe.

Senegal: Mendy; Diouf, Niakhate, Koulibaly, Diatta; Pape Gueye (Ibnou Ndiaye 83), Idrissa Gueye (Cheikhou Ciss 88); Mane, Camara (Diouf Diarra 76), Ismaila Sarr (Ibrahim Mbaye 75), Jackson (Sadio Dieng 83).