Kylian Mbappé scores twice as France trails Senegal at halftime
2 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Jun 17, 2026, 1:00 AM
Last updated Jun 17, 2026
France's World Cup opener against Senegal on June 16 saw a lackluster performance in the first half, ending scoreless. Senegal's cohesive play created several chances, putting pressure on the defending champions. However, Kylian Mbappé netted two goals in the second half, helping France recover and lead 3-1. Manager Didier Deschamps adjusted the team's formation at halftime, leading to a more effective attack.
- •Match is part of the World Cup on June 16.
- •Halftime score was 0-0, with Senegal applying pressure.
- •Mbappé scored twice in the second half for France.
- •Deschamps made tactical changes at halftime.
- •Overall score is currently 3-1 in favor of France.
- 1:00 AMYahoo Sports — France looked a disjointed mess in their World Cup opener. Then came Mbappé
- 1:00 AMThe Guardian Sport — France looked a disjointed mess in their World Cup opener. Then came Mbappé | Leander Schaerlaeckens
"The tournament favorites were far from their best in their first half against a strong Senegal side. Their star forward made sure things finished fine World Cup newsletter | Daily podcast | Download the app After the whistle blew for half-time, Kylian Mbappé ran to the player tunnel at a good clip, followed by Ousmane Dembélé. Behind them, the rest of the French team were in no such hurry, sauntering off the pitch. The forward widely considered the best in the world – or at least the most famous in the Non-Ronaldo-and-Messi Division – and the reigning Ballon d’Or winner had much to discuss. The scoreless first half Tuesday against a Senegal side who had organized and pressed cohesively and forged much the better chances, including a clipped post, was a disjointed mess for the 2018 World Cup champions and the 2022 runners-up. But having the world’s best corps of forwards means getting to comprehensively beat the (former) African champions 3-1 despite spending the first hour looking like your front four had never played together before. And possibly didn’t even know one another’s names. Continue reading...
"The tournament favorites were far from their best in their first half against a strong Senegal side. Their star forward made sure things finished fine
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsJun 17, 2026, 1:00 AMFrance looked a disjointed mess in their World Cup opener. Then came Mbappé
The tournament favorites were far from their best in their first half against a strong Senegal side. Their star forward made sure things finished fine
- The Guardian SportJun 17, 2026, 1:00 AMFrance looked a disjointed mess in their World Cup opener. Then came Mbappé | Leander Schaerlaeckens
The tournament favorites were far from their best in their first half against a strong Senegal side. Their star forward made sure things finished fine World Cup newsletter | Daily podcast | Download the app After the whistle blew for half-time, Kylian Mbappé ran to the player tunnel at a good clip, followed by Ousmane Dembélé. Behind them, the rest of the French team were in no such hurry, sauntering off the pitch. The forward widely considered the best in the world – or at least the most famous in the Non-Ronaldo-and-Messi Division – and the reigning Ballon d’Or winner had much to discuss. The scoreless first half Tuesday against a Senegal side who had organized and pressed cohesively and forged much the better chances, including a clipped post, was a disjointed mess for the 2018 World Cup champions and the 2022 runners-up. But having the world’s best corps of forwards means getting to comprehensively beat the (former) African champions 3-1 despite spending the first hour looking like your front four had never played together before. And possibly didn’t even know one another’s names. Continue reading...
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