France and Senegal End First Half in Stalemate at 2026 World Cup

The first half of the match between France and Senegal concluded with a scoreless draw at MetLife Stadium, as part of the group stage of the 2026 World Cup.

Both teams started the match with high intensity, with France enjoying a slight advantage in possession, holding 59% compared to Senegal’s 41%. Both sides made several attempts to break through each other’s defenses.

Senegal posed a threat on multiple occasions, notably when Nicolas Jackson’s shot hit the right post. Ismaila Sarr also had a dangerous attempt that narrowly missed the target, while the Teranga Lions relied on high pressing and building attacks from midfield.

On the other hand, France sought to assert its offensive dominance through the movements of Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé. Dembélé unleashed a powerful shot that was blocked by Senegal’s defense, while Mbappé created danger inside the penalty area but was successfully contained by Senegal’s backline.

The closing minutes of the half saw a water break and some physical confrontations between both teams, along with minor injuries. The match remained evenly contested, showcasing thrilling moments without any goals scored.

The match kicked off on Tuesday evening at 9 PM local time in Egypt and Saudi Arabia, which is 11 PM in the UAE.

Senegal’s Lineup Against France in the 2026 World Cup

Goalkeeper: Mory Diaw.

Defense: Krépin Diatta – Mamadou Sar – Moussa Niakhaté – Malick Diuof.

Midfield: Lamine Camara – Pape Sarr – Habib Diallo.

Attack: Sadio Mané – Nicolas Jackson – Ismaila Sarr.

France’s Lineup Against Senegal in the 2026 World Cup

Goalkeeper: Mike Maignan.

Defense: Jules Koundé – William Saliba – Dayot Upamecano – Theo Hernandez.

Midfield: Aurélien Tchouaméni – Adrien Rabiot – Michael Olise.

Attack: Désiré Doué – Ousmane Dembélé – Kylian Mbappé.

France entered this match with strong ambitions, aiming to secure victory and earn three points to lead their group early on and enhance their chances of advancing to the knockout stages. They are keen to make a powerful start in the tournament and send a clear message to other competitors about their desire to contend for the title right from their first game.

Meanwhile, Senegal approached this encounter with high spirits and great aspirations, hoping for a positive result against one of Europe’s strongest teams, whether through a win or by securing a point from a draw, taking advantage of their notable progress in recent years.