The 2022 finalists began with a flourish, Kylian Mbappé leading the line as France beat African champions Senegal 3–1 at MetLife. A heavyweight Group I opener that France controlled after the break.

The 3-1 scoreline flattered neither side's first half but reflected France's superior cutting edge: their 1.79 xG to Senegal's 0.53, paired with 8 shots on target to 2, shows Les Bleus converted a tightly contested game (53-47 possession, only 11 shots to 6) through clinical finishing once Mbappé sparked them after the break. Senegal actually carried real threat — Jackson hit the post and had a goal disallowed — but a 0.53 xG underlines how few clear sights they manufactured against a settled French back line. Mendy's five saves kept the margin respectable, and Senegal's lone reward came too late, with substitute Ibrahim Mbaye's 90+5' strike accounting for a chunk of their modest xG. The disciplinary count (Senegal 9 fouls to France's 5, no cards either way) hints at a Senegal side chasing the game physically without ever forcing the breakthrough their effort suggested.