'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. (Korea time), France defeated Senegal 3-1 in the Group I first match 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, along with Michael Olise (Bayern Munich), Ousmane Dembélé, and Déziré 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 dribbled into the space behind the defense, broke through 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 the tactical movements intended by coach Didier Deschamps did not appear at all.

Instead, Senegal took the initiative in the attack from the middle to late first half and missed another precious scoring opportunity in stoppage time. Sarr, receiving a pass from Mané, took a shot from in front of the goal that missed, flying over the crossbar. The first half ended 0-0.

France completely changed their game in the second half, pressing hard 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, Edouard Mendy, the goalkeeper, barely blocked Olise's shot 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, breaking 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 continued to control the flow and lead 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 winless record when Ibrahima Mbaye scored a consolation goal in stoppage time of the second half.

Mbappé immediately responded with another goal. He scored with a fantastic long-range shot from behind the arc, breaking the net. The match concluded with a 3-1 victory for France.

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*This content was translated by AI.