'World Cup 13th and 14th goals' — I am Mbappé! Even 'legend' Pelé has been surpassed... France crushes Senegal 3-1, 'revenge after 24 years'

*This content was translated by AI.

As expected, the 'ace' Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid) was the solver. France defeated Senegal to secure their first World Cup victory.

On the 17th at 4 a.m. (Korean time), France won 3-1 thanks to Kylian Mbappé's multi-goal performance in the opening match of Group I of the 2026 FIFA North American World Cup, held at the New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA. France, which had lost to Senegal in the opening match of the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup, succeeded in exacting revenge after 24 years.

Both teams fielded attacking lineups with players boasting impressive names from Europe's top leagues. France started with Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid) leading the way, alongside Michael Olise (Bayern Munich), Ousmane Dembélé, and Desire Doué (both Paris Saint-Germain). Senegal also sent out Nicolas Jackson (Bayern Munich), Sadio Mané (Al Nassr), and Ismaïla Sarr (Crystal Palace).

Both teams engaged in a tight battle from the start of the match, with the first shot not coming until the middle of the first half. In the 19th minute of the first half, Dembélé took a bold long-range shot from outside the penalty box, but it was blocked by a defender.

Senegal also launched a proper counterattack. In the 25th minute of the second half, during a counter, Jackson penetrated the space behind the defense, dribbled to the left side of the box, and struck powerfully with his left foot, hitting the left side of the goalpost. Senegal narrowly missed the chance to take the lead, a scene that left France's defense on edge.

France, boasting the world's most formidable attack, remained silent throughout the first half. Mbappé at the front was isolated, and no tactical movement intended by coach Didier Deschamps appeared.

Instead, Senegal took the initiative in the latter half of the first half and missed another precious scoring opportunity in stoppage time. A shot by Sarr, who received a pass from Mané in front of the goal, missed the target and went over the crossbar. The first half ended 0-0.

France completely changed their tone in the second half, launching fierce attacks from the start. In the 2nd minute of the second half, Dembélé's long-range shot narrowly missed the goalpost. Then, in the 8th minute, goalkeeper Edouard Mendy barely blocked a shot by Olise in a one-on-one situation with his toe. In the 12th minute, Mendy again blocked Mbappé's shot with his foot.

The silent 'ace' Mbappé finally scored the opening goal. In the 21st minute of the second half, Mbappé pushed in a through pass from Olise into the box and scored, tearing the net. This is Mbappé's consecutive World Cup goal across three tournaments, his 13th goal. He also surpassed the legendary Pelé's all-time World Cup goal record (12 goals).

With their momentum building, France maintained control and dominated the attack, and substitute Bradley Barcola scored an additional goal. In the 37th minute of the second half, Barcola, just two minutes after being substituted in, scored with a fantastic chip shot.

Senegal avoided a defeat when Ibrahima Mbaye scored a consolation goal in stoppage time of the second half.

Mbappé immediately responded with another multi-goal performance, tearing the net with a fantastic long-range shot from behind the arc. The match concluded with a 3-1 comprehensive victory for France.

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*This content was translated by AI.