📸 After shaky first half: France clinically see off Senegal | OneFootball

It was fairly clear that Senegal are a strong team and that this would be no walk in the park for France today. But seeing the French, who arguably have the best squad at the entire World Cup, struggle like this is still pretty wild.

Didier Deschamps’ side, who looked a little unfocused, had barely produced any notable attacking moves up to that point, while Senegal came very close to taking the lead. After a brilliant through ball, former Bayern player Nicolas Jackson got his shot away and hit the post. 

The ball then bounced off the woodwork onto France keeper Maignan’s leg and missed the goal by the finest of margins. 

Shortly before the break, Ismaïla Sarr had the next huge chance for the impressive underdogs. Following a delivery from former Bayern star Sadio Mané, the ball dropped to the Palace star, who blasted it over the bar from point-blank range. 

Despite that strong first half, the favourites are now in front. After a brilliant pass from Michael Olise, Kylian Mbappé put Les Bleus ahead, before Barcola made it 2–0. In the fifth minute of stoppage time, Senegal pulled one back through Mbaye to make it 2–1, before Mbappé sealed the 3–1 win a minute later.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.

📸 CHARLY TRIBALLEAU - AFP or licensors