5.29amAustralia’s own Alireza Faghani is the refereeBy He is controlling the affair while also letting it flow as Senegal defend and defend again, their 4-4-2 formation holding firm for the most part as begin to impose themselves. Said defence suffers a flesh wound when Mane is caught napping and Olise whips in a cross for Dembele, who has a crack but is thwarted. Senegal are in transition without skipping a beat.France 0-0 Senegal, 20 minutes5.24amMbappe is getting comfy in his own timeBy Clearly, because the Real Madrid forward isn’t there yet. He’s getting the service in behind but appearing nervy. Dembele is provider but Mbappe’s touch leaves a lot to be desired. A couple of minutes later. Koulibaly coughs up possession and Dembele once again puts Mbappe in behind, though the pass isn’t as good. Rather, it has too much on it.France 0-0 Senegal, 15 minutes5.20amIt’s apparently quite warm – but not too warm – in New JerseyBy Pleasant might be a better description, with temps expected to reach about 25 degrees.The match starts with France, who launch the ball forward before Senegal carry it back up the other way and Diouf sends in a cross from the left that Hernandez heads behind for a corner. Senegal opt for a short corner and, when Maignan goes down under Tchouameni, France get a free kick.France settle in, stroking the ball around at the back, getting themselves comfy against their already-lively opponents.France 0-0 Senegal, 10 minutes5.10amThis is Senegal’s first tournament since that AFCON messBy You might remember it was only in January that they won a dramatic Africa Cup of Nations final, in which the team were ordered off the pitch by manager Pape Thiaw after referee Jean-Jacques Ndala pointed to the spot in stoppage time following a VAR check for Malick Diouf’s challenge on Brahim Diaz.The final was goalless at the time and, after a 16-minute delay, Sadio Mane brought his team back out to continue the game. Edouard Mendy saved Diaz’s eventual penalty, before Gueye scored the extra-time winner.But their protest came back to haunt them, and two months later the Confederation of African Football appeal board stripped Senegal of the AFCON title. That did not stop the team parading the trophy before a friendly against Peru later that month, with the case set to be heard before the Court of Arbitration for Sport.5.05amFrance v Senegal teamsBy It’s an expected Dembele, Mbappe, Doue feast for France. Saliba has recovered from his back injury, and Kounde from his knock in the tournament’s lead-in friendlies.For Senegal, Gueye is obviously fit to start despite reportedly missing training on the weekend.France: Maignan; Hernandez T, Saliba, Upamecano, Kounde, Rabiot, Tchouameni, Olise, Dembele, Doue, Mbappe. Subs: Akliouche, Barcola, Cherki, Digne, Gusto, Hernandez L, Kante, Konate, Kone, Lacroix, Mateta, Risser, Samba, Thuram, Zaire-Emery.Senegal: Mendy E; Diatta, Niakhate, Koulibaly, Diouf E, Gueye P, Gueye I, Camara, Sarr, Jackson, Mane. Subs: Ciss, Diao, Diaw, Dieng, Diouf Y, Jakobs, Mbaye, Mendy A, Ndiaye I, Ndiaye C, Sarr M, Sarr P, Seck4.58amRise and shine, it’s butt-whipping time!By Or is it, in fact, time for another draw? We had FOUR of them yesterday – the statisticians say it was the first time since 1958 that all four World Cup matches played on the same day ended in draws.They were:Spain 0-0 Cape VerdeBelgium 1-1 EgyptSaudi Arabia 1-1 UruguaySaudi Arabia 1-1 UruguayToday we have (AEST):France v Senegal, 5amIraq v Norway, 8amArgentina v Algeria, 11amAustria v Jordan, 2pmThe big one is first, and I’ve been looking forward to this match in New York for quite some time. The Qatar 2022 runners-up and this tournament’s favourites against the African team that beat them in the opening match of the 2002 finals.Get yer snacks and pop yourselves down somewhere comfortable, and let’s get going.1 of 1