France vs Senegal
France beat Senegal 3-1, but the 3-1 flatters them after Senegal frustrated the 2-time champions for an hour.
How the match went
For 65 minutes, this was not the easy night France hoped for.
Senegal sat in, stayed brave, and the first half ended 0-0 with the favorites unable to find a way through.
Then the captain did what captains do.
Kylian Mbappé finally broke the deadlock in the 66th minute, and you could feel France relax.
Bradley Barcola added a 2nd in the 82nd minute, and the game looked over.
But Ibrahim Mbaye had other ideas, pulling one back for Senegal deep in stoppage time in the 95th minute to set up a nervy finish.
Mbappé settled it for good a minute later, scoring his 2nd of the night in the 96th minute to make it 3-1.
France got the win, but Senegal will feel they made them work far harder than the scoreline suggests.
Key moments
- ⚽ 66' Mbappé (France)
- ⚽ 82' Barcola (France)
- ⚽ 90+5' Mbaye (Senegal)
- Date
- Tuesday, June 16
- Kickoff Time
- 15:00 (New York time)
- Stage
- Group stage, Group I
- Attendance
- 80,545
- Referee
- Alireza Faghani (Australia)
What’s next for France?
France play Iraq on June 22, and on paper this is an easier game.
After a slow first hour against Senegal, France will want a sharper, cleaner performance.
A win here would put them in a strong spot to reach the next round.
What’s next for Senegal?
Senegal face Norway on June 22, and it is a tough one.
Norway just beat Iraq 4-1, so they arrive full of confidence and goals.
Senegal showed real fight against France, and they will need every bit of it again.
Common questions
When and where was France vs Senegal played?
The match was played on Tuesday June 16, 2026 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford. It was a Group I opener in front of 80,545 fans.
What was the final score of France vs Senegal?
France won 3-1. It was 0-0 at half-time, and France only broke through in the second half.
Who scored for France against Senegal?
Kylian Mbappé scored twice, in the 66th and 96th minutes. Bradley Barcola got France's other goal in the 82nd minute.
Who scored Senegal's goal?
Ibrahim Mbaye scored Senegal's only goal in the 95th minute. It made it 2-1 and set up a tense final few moments before Mbappé sealed the win.
Who do France and Senegal play next?
France play Iraq on June 22 in their 2nd Group I game. Senegal play Norway on the same day, with Norway arriving off a 4-1 win over Iraq.