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EAST RUTHERFORD: Kylian Mbappe scored twice as France shook themselves awake after a sleepy first half on Tuesday to beat Senegal 3-1 in New Jersey Stadium, for a perfect start to their World Cup campaign.
While the Africans had looked the stronger team in the first half of the Group I match, the second period was a different matter as French class ultimately proved the difference.
Inevitably, it was France captain Kylian Mbappe who broke the deadlock, unlocking the Senegalese defence in the 66th minute for a record-equalling 57th goal for his country.
He made a brilliant run to get on the end of a through ball by Michael Olise and he didn’t even look up as he swept it past Edouard Mendy.
