France debuts with victory: Mbappé leads 3-1 against Senegal

By William Varela

New Jersey woke up with the expectation of seeing one of the great candidates for the title in action. And France, at MetLife Stadium, did not disappoint. In a match that at times became stuck and tactical under the American sun, the Gauls managed to unblock Senegal's resistance with the hierarchy that only the chosen ones have. The final 3-1, which may seem comfortable on paper, was the result of a physical battle where speed and individual talent tipped the balance in favor of the world runner-up.

The match had that air of a World Cup debut: nerves, strong legs and a Senegal that came out to bite every centimeter of the field. For much of the first half, the scheme proposed by the Senegalese coaching staff managed to neutralize the French circuits. Michael Olise, the leader of the French attacks, had to battle against a strong defense that gave no space. Meanwhile, in the stands, African chants kept the color in a stadium that looked imposing in the afternoon heat.

The emergence of the star

It was only midway through the second half when the game changed script. Kylian Mbappé, who until then had appeared with sparks, finished breaking the defensive bolt with a personal action that unleashed delirium in the French partiality. A lethal unmarking, a dry shot and, suddenly, calm for Didier Deschamps. That first goal was the psychological break the match needed.

Senegal did not lower its arms. With the entry of Ibrahim Mbaye, the Teranga Lions looked for a quick response, but France struck again through Bradley Barcola. The striker, who came on from the bench, took advantage of a masterful clearance to make it 2-0 and close, in theory, the fight. However, football always has a final twist. With just a few minutes remaining, Mbaye's stoppage time set off the alarm, but it only served for Mbappé to reappear on the scene.

A pure power closure

If anyone doubted the French star's ability to respond, the third goal cleared up any uncertainty. Already in stoppage time, with Senegal focused on attack looking for an epic feat, Mbappé took the ball, faced it and took an unstoppable shot from outside the area. The final 3-1 was the perfect score for a debut that, although demanding, ended up consolidating France as a solid team with top-level offensive variants.

MetLife Stadium, which is preparing to host the final on July 19, witnessed a France that knows how to suffer and, above all, that knows how to capitalize on critical moments. While Argentina and other powers are still looking for their best version, the French have already put themselves first and sent a clear message to their rivals in Group I: to lower this team, it takes much more than will.

The balance of a historic afternoon

For Senegal, the defeat leaves a bitter taste but with room for improvement. The team showed character and a defensive structure that, at times, put the French in trouble. However, the difference was in the areas. France had Mbappé; Senegal, despite the momentum, could not realize the chances it generated in the first stage.

Now, the Gauls' gaze is already set on the next match. Deschamps knows that the road is long, but starting by winning a World Cup is always a relief for the players' backs. For now, France is already underway, and the figure of its captain continues to grow, stalking historical records and consolidating himself as the player that everyone wants to avoid in the decisive keys.