Ry Ossian Shine, Reuters.
Photo Credit: FIFA.
France shook themselves awake after a sleepy first half on Tuesday to beat Senegal 3-1 in the New York/New Jersey Stadium for a perfect start to their World Cup campaign.
While the Africans had looked the stronger team in the first half of the Group I match, the second period was a different matter as French class ultimately proved the difference.
Inevitably, it was France captain Kylian Mbappe who broke the deadlock, unlocking the Senegalese defence in the 66th minute for a record-equalling 57th goal for his country.
Substitute Bradley Barcola added a second, and Mbappe broke Olivier Giroud’s record with his 58th France goal thanks to a scorching strike from outside the box deep into added time, seconds after Ibrahim Mbaye’s consolation strike for Senegal.
Iraq play Norway in Boston in Group later on Tuesday.
France next play Iraq on Monday in Philadelphia before facing Norway in their final group match on June 26.