Senegalese diaspora lights up Grand Rex for France 3-1 Senegal at 2026 World Cup | OneFootball

Paris’s Grand Rex throbbed with Senegalese support on Tuesday as France beat Senegal 3-1 at the 2026 World Cup. The atmosphere inside the cinema was electric.

The venue, turned into a vast fan zone, meant you did not need to be in New York to feel the occasion. According to L'Équipe, 2,400 fans packed in, around half backing the Lions of Teranga.

Iconic Club, with the K-Help association, co-organised the night, selling vintage-styled gear for both teams, some bearing El-Hadji Diouf’s name. A saxophonist pumped out Pilé as young supporters stood and danced. The entire hall belted La Marseillaise, many in Senegal colours joining in.

Once the match began, a venue speaker accompanied Xavier Domergue’s live commentary on the feed and the mood tightened. Jackson hit the post on 25 minutes, then Ismaïla Sarr missed a big chance before the break. At half-time one fan argued that Koulibaly’s positioning was keeping Mbappé quiet.

The second half tilted France’s way, triggering hysteria with each Édouard Mendy save from Olise or Mbappé, and shrieks when a penalty was overturned after a video review. French supporters then led the noise as Mbappé and Barcola struck.

Senegal reduced the deficit in added time, only for France to quickly restore a two-goal cushion. At full time, Senegalese fans and French fans celebrated side by side, some mixing Lions shirts with French flags.

Source: L'Équipe