- Safiu Kehinde
Two goals from Real Madrid forward, Kylan Mbappe, has sunk African champions, Senegal, in a 3-1 defeat to France.
The Teranga Lions were on Tuesday pitched against the French national team in the Group I opener at the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup.
While the 2025 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) champions held the former world champion to a first half, the tide however changed in the second half with France breaking the Senegalese water-tight defence.
Mbappe opened his goal scoring account in the 66th minute to put France into the lead.
The goal prompted Senegal to go on tje offensive against the Didier Deschamps-led side.
They were however punished on countrr attack with Barcola doubling France’s lead late in the second half.
Senegal however maintained their press until the 93rd minute when Mbaye latched home a shot past French goalkeeper, Mike Maignan, to give the Pape Thiaw-led side a blight of hope.
Their hope would however be dashed bare two minutes after as Mbappe caught former Chelsea goalkeeper, Eduoard Mendy, off guard with a screamer to seal a 3-1 victory for France.