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France defeats Senegal 3-1 in World Cup 2026 Group I opener
via Le Matin2 min read
France secured a 3-1 victory over Senegal in their opening match of the World Cup 2026 Group I. The game remained tight for an extended period, characterized by a midfield battle and limited scoring opportunities. Kylian Mbappé broke the deadlock for France in the 66th minute, finishing a play initiated by Michael Olise. Following the opening goal, Didier Deschamps' team increased their dominance, with Adrien Rabiot playing a crucial role in midfield. Désiré Doué, Mbappé, and Olise consistently pressured Senegal's defense, though goalkeeper Édouard Mendy made several key saves. Ousmane Dembélé was active in building play but did not create clear chances. Bradley Barcola, a substitute, scored France's second goal. In a dramatic finish, Ibrahim Mbaye scored for Senegal in stoppage time, only for Kylian Mbappé to immediately respond with his second goal, sealing France's 3-1 win. This victory gives France their first three points in Group I, while Senegal will need to perform well in their next match to maintain qualification hopes. The other Group I match will feature Iraq against Norway.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Le Matin.
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