Mbappé brace and Olise masterclass sink Senegal in World Cup opener

Mbappé and Olise run the show as France beat Senegal 3–1

Kylian Mbappé scored twice and Michael Olise ran midfield. France 3–1 Senegal in the World Cup opener at MetLife Stadium on Tuesday. Olise was named man of the match (1) (4) (9).

The second half was the problem. France came out disjointed, unsure, and your team made them look ordinary for stretches. Then Mbappé took over. One goal, then another, and the game was gone (4). The international press called France "the team to beat" after the match, with two "beasts" up front and a "magical Mbappé" (15).

Saliba struggled, and the French press noticed

William Saliba had a rough night against Nicolas Jackson. French media reported Saliba was playing through a back injury, and it showed, he looked "overwhelmed" at times (2). Jackson did not score, but he gave the Arsenal defender problems that will not go unnoticed back in London.

Dembélé the big loser

Ousmane Dembélé started but faded badly. French outlets are already asking whether Didier Deschamps should bench the Ballon d'Or winner for the next match (14). That is the depth France have. One quiet game and the knives are out.

Deschamps had a plan. Mbappé and Olise ignored it.

Belgian outlet HLN put it bluntly: when the stars talk, Deschamps has to listen. Mbappé and Olise essentially tore up the coach's tactical plan and won the game on their own terms (1). Vincent Kompany, watching from the stands, saw two Bayern Munich players, Olise and one other, run the show (6).

Your team did not fold

This was not 2002. Senegal scored, pushed France in spells, and Jackson looked sharp leading the line. The 3–1 scoreline flatters France slightly. Aliou Cissé's side showed enough to cause problems for the rest of Group I.

The flute celebration

Mbappé celebrated his goal by miming a flute. He laughed about it afterwards, a nod to something personal off the pitch (5).

The World Cup is awake now

Messi broke more records the same night. Haaland scored. Mbappé pulled level with Pelé on the all-time World Cup list, and Messi still sits above him (10) (11) (12). The tournament has started properly, and your team was right in the middle of it.

Fan reactions

The mood among Senegal supporters is pride, not despair. Fans online are pointing to Jackson's performance against Saliba as proof he belongs at this level, and the 2002 comparison keeps coming up, that team beat France, this one lost, but the gap looks smaller than the scoreline suggests. Read the full discussion on r/soccer.