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Kylian Mbappe scored twice as France launched their bid for a third World Cup crown with a 3-1 victory over Senegal in Group I on Tuesday.

Real Madrid star Mbappe took his career World Cup goals tally to 14 –- just two behind all-time leader Miroslav Klose –- and Bradley Barcola was also on target as Les Bleus secured all three points for Didier Deschamps’ side.

Mbappé darted across the penalty area to convert a brilliant Michael Olise pass on 66 minutes to break the deadlock in a contest in which France struggled badly in the first half but came to life after the break.

Barcola of Paris Saint-Germain then came off the bench to get the second late on before his club colleague Ibrahim Mbaye pulled one back in stoppage time for Senegal.

READ ALSO: Tunisia Replace Coach Lamouchi With Renard After World Cup Thrashing

But Mbappe saved the best for last, as he blasted in from long range in the 96th minute to seal the win, and become France’s all-time top scorer with 58 goals.

The decision by coach Didier Deschamps to move Olise infield from the right wing was crucial in swinging the game the way of the two-time World Cup winners.

But it is Mbappe who grabbed the spotlight in what turned out to be a memorable 99th appearance for his country.

Mbappe renewed his extraordinary love affair with the World Cup, in which he scored in the 2018 final as France won, and netted a stunning hat-trick in their defeat on penalties to Argentina in the 2022 final in Qatar.

The 27-year-old Real Madrid striker’s double took him past Pele’s 12 and overtook the 13 of Lionel Messi and fellow Frenchman Just Fontaine.

He is now level with Gerd Mueller in the overall list, with only Klose and the Brazilian Ronaldo (15) still ahead of him.

France, one of the pre-tournament favourites, will be expected to build on this to ease into the last 32, with outsiders Iraq up next before a meeting with Erling Haaland’s Norway.

Deschamps, in his last tournament before he steps down after 14 years in charge, has been wary of overconfidence in his talented squad.

Opponents Senegal served as a warning from the past -– France went into the 2002 World Cup as holders and favourites, but lost 1-0 to the Lions of Teranga in their opening game and never recovered, going out in the group stage without scoring a goal.

Olise outstanding

Senegal showed how strong they are before a packed house of 80,545 in a game played in bright sunshine with the skyscrapers of Manhattan in the distance.

A team led by veteran forward Sadio Mane, and featuring four starters born in France, were playing their first competitive game since the Africa Cup of Nations final in Morocco in January.

Pape Thiaw’s side won that in extra time, but were later stripped of their title for a walk-off protest by several players during the match. Their appeal into that is ongoing.

They were the better team in the first half, as Nicolas Jackson almost scored on the break on 25 minutes when he broke away and hit the post, before the ball ricocheted off goalkeeper Mike Maignan and went just wide.

Ismaila Sarr then put a glorious chance over the bar in first-half stoppage time, and Senegal were to regret that.

Olise and Ousmane Dembele switched positions at the interval, with the reigning Ballon d’Or moving right and leaving the area through the middle behind Mbappe to the Bayern man.

Suddenly France came to life, with Olise being denied by Edouard Mendy and then setting up Mbappe for a chance that was saved.

France thought they had a penalty on the hour mark when Mbappe went down under a Mane challenge, but referee Alireza Faghani opted not to award a spot-kick after a review.

It didn’t matter, as Olise continued to tear apart the opposition and slipped in Mbappe for the opener.

It was a superb goal, and France struck again when Adrien Rabiot released substitute Barcola to run through and score.

Mbaye got one back on 95 minutes, but Mbappe had the last word.

AFP

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Cape Verde produced one of the biggest surprises of the 2026 FIFA World Cup so far after holding Spain to a goalless draw in their opening Group H fixture earlier today, June 15.

Making their first-ever appearance at the tournament, the African side frustrated the two-time world champions throughout a tense match, securing a memorable point and throwing the group wide open. The result also deepened concerns over Spain’s recent World Cup form, with just one win from their last seven matches at the finals.

Spain dominated possession from the outset but found it difficult to break down a disciplined Cape Verde defence. Roberto ‘Pico’ Lopes was outstanding at the back, helping to repel wave after wave of Spanish pressure as Luis de la Fuente’s men struggled to create clear openings.

Cape Verde’s 40-year-old goalkeeper, Vozinha in action against Spain during the 2026 FIFA World Cup clash.

Cape Verde nearly caught Spain off guard before the interval when Dailon Livramento attempted an ambitious effort from inside his own half. Spain then came agonisingly close to taking the lead just before the break.

Ferran Torres struck the crossbar from close range after Marc Cucurella nodded the ball across goal, while veteran goalkeeper Vozinha produced a sharp save to deny Mikel Oyarzabal on the rebound.

The pattern remained unchanged after the restart, with Spain controlling the ball but lacking the cutting edge required to unlock Cape Verde’s stubborn defence. Torres almost benefited from a mishit cross that drifted towards goal, but Vozinha reacted quickly to prevent an awkward breakthrough.

Seeking inspiration, De la Fuente introduced Lamine Yamal in the second half, and the teenager immediately raised Spain’s tempo. His direct running created an opportunity for substitute Mikel Merino, but once again Vozinha stood firm to preserve the deadlock.

Spain continued to push in the closing stages, with Oyarzabal seeing a promising effort blocked heroically by Lopes as Cape Verde edged closer to a famous result. The underdogs nearly completed an extraordinary victory deep into stoppage time when Diney Borges powered a header towards goal, only for Unai Simón to make a crucial save.

The final whistle sparked celebrations among the Cape Verde players and supporters, who watched their team claim a historic point against one of the tournament favourites.

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By Ojomah Austin.

The Egyptian national football team will compete at the 2026 FIFA World Cup without the seven stars that traditionally appear above their crest to celebrate the country’s record seven Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) titles.

The decision follows a reminder from FIFA that only achievements recognized under its competition regulations can be displayed on team jerseys during World Cup matches. As a result, Egypt’s iconic stars, which symbolize their continental success, will not feature on their kits throughout the tournament.

The change was confirmed by the Egyptian Football Association (EFA), which disclosed that FIFA had communicated the requirement several months ago, giving the federation enough time to make the necessary adjustments.

Speaking to ESPN, EFA Media Officer Mohamed Morad Thabet explained that the move was not a disciplinary action but rather part of FIFA’s standard kit compliance procedures.

“It was a routine procedure. Four months ago, FIFA informed the Football Association regarding the issue of not displaying the Africa Cup of Nations stars on the national team’s jersey during World Cup matches,” Thabet said.

He added that the federation had anticipated the directive and had already begun preparations long before the tournament.

According to FIFA’s kit regulations, national teams are generally permitted to display stars commemorating FIFA World Cup titles. Since Egypt’s seven stars represent victories in the Africa Cup of Nations rather than World Cup triumphs, they do not meet the criteria for display during FIFA’s flagship tournament.

In addition to removing the stars, Egypt has also altered the design of its kit by changing the color of the squad numbers from gold to white. The adjustment was reportedly made to improve visibility and ensure compliance with tournament standards.

The development means that fans will see a slightly different version of the Pharaohs’ famous jersey when the team takes to the field in North America.

Egypt enters the tournament hoping to make a strong impression after securing qualification for football’s biggest stage. The North African giants open their Group G campaign against Belgium in Seattle on Monday.

They will then travel to Vancouver to face New Zealand six days later before returning to Seattle for their final group-stage encounter against Iran on June 26.