France got their 2026 World Cup campaign off to a winning start with a 3-1 victory over Senegal, but the result was far from straightforward. Outplayed and shaky during a worrying first half, Didier Deschamps’ side completely transformed after the break, eventually securing the win thanks to a Kylian Mbappé brace and a goal from Bradley Barcola.
After a flat and difficult opening 45 minutes, the French team returned from the dressing room with a completely different attitude. Deschamps delivered a strong message at halftime, urging his players to stay calm on the ball, play with greater confidence, and avoid rushing their decisions despite the quality of the opposition.
France’s Dramatic Second-Half Turnaround
William Saliba revealed that several players also spoke up during the break. According to the defender, the coach reminded the squad that difficult matches are normal at a World Cup and that France needed to trust its quality in possession. Saliba praised the team’s second-half display while admitting there were still areas to improve despite the important victory.
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Bradley Barcola, who scored shortly after coming off the bench, echoed the same message. The PSG forward explained that Deschamps asked his players to return to the principles that define the French team: attacking together, defending together, and maintaining a strong collective spirit throughout the match.
The response was immediate. France became more aggressive, technically sharper, and far more dangerous going forward. Mbappé opened the scoring, Barcola added a crucial second goal, and the captain capped the performance with another stunning strike in stoppage time. For Saliba, the objective was achieved: France won its opening match and now heads into the next challenge against Iraq in Philadelphia full of confidence.
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