France settled their Group I opener at MetLife Stadium with three goals in the final 25 minutes. Mbappé broke the deadlock in the 66th minute, finishing from an Olise assist, before substitute Barcola doubled the lead in the 82nd with a Rabiot-assisted strike. Senegal pulled one back in the fifth minute of stoppage time through I. Mbaye, but the response was immediate: Mbappé converted again in the sixth minute of added time to seal a 3-1 win. Senegal had created little, finishing with six shots and just two on target against France's eight, and an xG of 0.5 underlined how seldom they genuinely threatened.

France take maximum points from their opening match and move to the top of Group I. The manner of the win carries weight beyond the scoreline: France were the more controlled side throughout, holding 54 percent possession and generating nearly four times Senegal's expected goals. Winning a group opener by two goals gives France a significant cushion as results elsewhere begin to shape the standings, and the margin means goal difference could matter later in the group stage. For Senegal, the defeat puts immediate pressure on their remaining fixtures — they will need points quickly to stay in contention for the knockout rounds.