Kane double fires England past Croatia in World Cup thriller

TEXAS, United States 

Harry Kane scored twice in the first half as England eventually saw off Croatia 4-2 to launch their World Cup assault in Texas.

Jude Bellingham, immediately after half-time, and substitute Marcus Rashford with five minutes to go ensured a winning start for Thomas Tuchel’s side after Croatia had fought back to level at 2-2 in Wednesday’s game.

The prolific Kane twice put England ahead in the first half – one a retaken penalty – only for Martin Baturina and Petar Musa to hit back for 2018 runners-up Croatia.

With both sides shaky at the back, the second half threatened another goal glut, Bellingham needing just two minutes to put England ahead again in front of a crowd of 70,000.

England had numerous chances to extend their lead immediately after, but did not take them until Rashford popped up.

The meeting was a repeat of the 2018 semifinal, which Croatia won 2-1 after extra time, although England have since had the edge against one of the older squads at the tournament in North America.

Thomas Tuchel’s side, bidding to deliver England a first major trophy since 1966, made a nervy start in front of a packed house at the impressive air-conditioned home of the Dallas Cowboys.

Then the drama came. Croatia’s talismanic captain Luka Modric dangled out a leg and caught Noni Madueke in the box.

Kane saw his unconvincing penalty saved by Dominik Livakovic, only for French referee Clement Turpin to order a retake after video replays deemed the stopper had come off his line.

Turpin once sent off Tuchel in the Champions League and the referee taking charge of the game had been highlighted by English media this week.

Bayern Munich predator Kane held his nerve a second time around, again going to Livakovic’s left but this time in more ruthless fashion to give England the lead after 12 minutes.

Now it was all England, and Real Madrid midfielder Bellingham – preferred to Morgan Rogers in the number 10 role – surged upfield, forcing Livakovic to smother.

Loud boos rang out for the drinks break, given the match was under a roof and not the unforgiving Texas sun.

On the half hour, England should have gone 2-0 up, Bellingham narrowly failing to make contact with Madueke’s delicious low cross.

On 36 minutes, Croatia drew level.

England squandered the ball in midfield, then Petar Sucic left John Stones on the floor with some neat footwork to set up Baturina.

The 23-year-old met the ball for the first time and whipped it past Jordan Pickford, who got a hand to the ball.

Zlatko Dalic’s side were level for just six minutes as a Declan Rice corner found Kane unmarked and the captain nodded home.

It took skipper Kane to 10 World Cup goals, the most of any England player along with Gary Lineker.

Tuchel, who has made it clear that winning the World Cup is his aim, barely smiled.

Putting the seal on a frenetic first half, Musa took advantage of more poor England defending in the fifth minute of injury time to stroke the ball in from close range for 2-2.

The second half started just as the first ended – with a goal – as Bellingham galloped down the right unchallenged and rolled the ball into the corner.

Kane and Nico O’Reilly, twice each, and Bellingham had good chances for a 4-2 lead as England pummelled the Croatia goal.

With 15 minutes left and England retreating, Croatia had several opportunities before Rashford made the three points safe.

EAST AFRICA NEWSPAPERS 18/6/2026

 

Portugal held to draw by DR Congo in World Cup 2026 opener

TEXAS, United States 

Cristiano Ronaldo’s record-equalling sixth World Cup got off to a disappointing start as the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) secured their first-ever point at the football finals, drawing 1-1 with Portugal in their Group K match.

Yoane Wissa’s header cancelled out Joao Neves’s early goal on Wednesday, and the African side – appearing in their first World Cup since 1974, when their country was known as Zaire – more than held their own.

Portugal’s Ronaldo, 41, was largely a peripheral figure throughout the match, failing to make the impact his great rival Lionel Messi had achieved on Tuesday in scoring a hat-trick against Algeria.

The DRC’s achievement was even greater, given that their preparations had been disrupted by the Ebola outbreak back in their country.

Some Portugal players were wearing wrist bands, given to them by their Prime Minister Luis Montenegro, in tribute to late teammate Diogo Jota, who was killed in a car crash last year.

Portugal got off to the perfect start, with Neves powering home a header from Pedro Neto’s cross in the sixth minute.

However, despite dominating possession, they lacked a cutting edge, and well into time added on in the first half, their opponents made them pay.

Wissa rose unmarked to head past Diogo Costa in the Portuguese goal, sparking wild celebrations on the pitch, the bench and among the Congolese fans in the stadium as the Newcastle forward registered his country’s first-ever goal at a World Cup.

Former Portuguese defensive bulwark Pepe, watching from the VIP seats, did not look impressed.

Bernardo Silva had started the day by joining Real Madrid on a free transfer, but he ended it by watching from the bench after coach Roberto Martinez took him off at half-time.

He was briefly off his feet celebrating when Joao Cancelo’s overhead kick hit the back of the net – only for it to be ruled out for offside.

The Congolese were matching the Portuguese, though, and 35-year-old veteran striker Cedric Bakambu shrugged aside Bruno Fernandes, but his shot came back off the near post.

Ronaldo finally had a chance to shine when presented with a chance by Francisco Conceicao’s pass. But he fluffed his lines, sending it wide of the post.

The same combination linked up again minutes later, with Conceicao – a far livelier presence than Silva had been – teeing up Ronaldo. But once again the result was the same, and the ball went wide.

Portugal thought they had at least got a corner, but when it was not given, Conceicao slammed the ball into the ground in frustration as his side failed to pick up three points in their opener.

US officials reveal details of Iran agreement as Trump says deal could be signed tomorrow

WASHINGTON, United States 

A memorandum of understanding to be signed Friday by the United States and Iran calls for Tehran to at minimum dilute its enriched uranium and would waive but not permanently end sanctions on the country, according to U.S. officials who read the draft language to journalists.

The agreement would also open the Strait of Hormuz toll-free for two months and affirm a commitment to Lebanon's territorial integrity in the face of Israel's invasion against the Hezbollah militant group.

U.S. officials dictated the language to journalists Wednesday after days of secrecy. They spoke on condition of anonymity to share the memorandum, which Iran has not yet released.

Meanwhile, Iran suggested the document could be signed by Presidents Donald Trump and Masoud Pezeshkian. Such a signing ceremony would represent a major step for the two countries, which saw diplomatic relations break off in 1980 over the U.S. Embassy hostage crisis in Tehran.

According to the officials, the draft agreement includes language on handling Tehran's highly enriched Iranian uranium, requiring that it at "minimum" be downgraded on site. 

The draft also has provisions to ensure the "territorial integrity" of Lebanon after Israel's latest attacks against Hezbollah in Lebanese territory.

In return, the U.S. will move to waive, but not eliminate, some wide-ranging sanctions against Iran once the deal is signed.

The U.S. draft of the agreement also secures toll-free passage of the strait for only 60 days, and it does not preclude fees in future, the officials said.

It also has provisions to ensure the territorial integrity of Lebanon after Israel's latest attacks against Hezbollah in Lebanese territory. 

Israel has rejected the prospect of withdrawing from Lebanon, but the first point the agreement expressly states is that with the signing of the memorandum, military operations in Lebanon must stop.

Meanwhile in Iran, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei was quoted by Iranian state television talking about the potential for the two presidents to sign the pact.

Pezeshkian became president on a promise of seeking better relations with the West. However, he's been sidelined for months after Iran's mass killing of protesters in January and in the war as hard-liners have taken over the levers of the country's theocracy.

Trump cast some uncertainty on whether the signing would happen as planned. Asked how confident he was that the ceremony would take place, Trump remarked on the unpredictability of deals.

"You never know with deals, do you? But you're going to find out pretty soon," he said.

The U.S. and Israel went to war on Feb. 28 in part to prevent Iran from ever getting a nuclear weapon, although Trump's goals in the conflict have repeatedly shifted. 

The interim deal stops the war before that aim is secured. 

Instead, it opens a two-month period for nuclear negotiations and appears to offer Iran several benefits up front while extracting little in return.

The U.S. agreement to immediately allow Iran to sell its oil freely and the offer to eventually lift all sanctions, for instance, represent major concessions that go beyond the terms of Iran's 2015 nuclear deal with world powers. Trump withdrew America from that pact in his first term, declaring it the "worst deal ever."

The accord likely will draw intense opposition in Washington, and it appears to be a major setback for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has come under criticism at home from the media, his opponents and even some allies as details emerge.

Much of the agreement would restore the status quo before the war, including ending hostilities, restarting negotiations between the U.S. and Iran over Tehran's nuclear program, and reopening the strait, which is a crucial passage for the world's oil and natural gas and whose closure created a historic energy crisis.

The deal includes an end to the fighting in Lebanon between Israel and the Iranian-backed militia Hezbollah. 

That is one of the most delicate parts of the agreement because Israel has maintained it will continue to defend itself and to occupy vast swaths of Lebanon. Iran has said Israel must withdraw under the deal.

The White House and other American officials have not published the terms and did not immediately respond to questions.

Trump has cited various goals for the war, including at times vowing it would end Iran's nuclear and missile programs and its support for Hezbollah and other proxy groups in the region. 

He also suggested it could lead to toppling the Iranian government.

The interim deal falls short of all of these goals, but Trump hailed it Wednesday.

"Nobody knows what it is, but it's very strong," Trump said in France, where he is attending a Group of Seven summit.

But he also opened the door to abandoning it: "It's a memorandum of understanding, and if I don't like it, we'll go back to shooting at them, dropping bombs."

Some concessions to Iran — including the full lifting of sanctions and the release of frozen assets — would happen gradually and be linked to progress in the nuclear talks, according to officials from Pakistan, a key mediator. 

They outlined some of the deal's major points on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue.

But in the meantime, the U.S. will issue waivers to sanctions that allow Iran to sell oil freely.

The Islamic Republic's oil export revenues in 2024 were more than $46 billion. Its main buyer of oil, China, is believed to have bought at below-market prices because of its willingness to ignore the sanctions.

Granting oil waivers at the start of the 60-day talks strips the U.S. of a major point of leverage. Only at the conclusion of the overall deal in 2015 were sanctions on Iran's oil lifted.

The interim deal also opens the door to ending all sanctions Iran faces from the U.S. and at the U.N. — including those over Tehran's weapons programs and human rights abuses — though it says the schedule for that will be worked out later.

Still, that far surpasses the 2015 deal, which only lifted some sanctions in exchange for Iran drastically reducing its enrichment and stockpile of uranium.

The accord would also provide Iran with at least $300 billion to rebuild after an intense U.S. and Israeli bombing campaign — an extraordinary figure and another major benefit for Iran. The money also appears dependent on the progress of further negotiations.

Government of Equatorial Guinea submits collective resignation of ministers

MALABO, Equatorial Guinea 

The government of Equatorial Guinea has resigned after failing to meet its targets.

Prime Minister Manuel Osa Nsue Nsua on Wednesday presented the collective resignation of the entire government.

Vice President Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue, son of President Obiang, said the move was in keeping with "the principle that accountability in public administration must be accompanied by results."

He said the government had barely met 10 percent of its objectives after almost two years in power. He didn't provide details of the targets.

In a statement, the ruling PDGE said President Obiang noted that the government "lacked dynamism regarding the economy" and "misused state resources at the expense of personal interests fostered by corruption for illicit enrichment."

The statement said Obiang will appoint a more dynamic government that "contributes more actively to the realization of the country's development programs and projects."

Haaland scores two goals as Norway beat Iraq 4-1 on World Cup return

BOSTON, United States 

Erling Haaland scored twice in his World Cup debut as Norway powered past Iraq to win 4-1 in their Group I opener in Boston.

The Manchester City striker scored his first goals at a major international tournament on Tuesday as Norway returned to the World Cup for the first time in 28 years.

Haaland turned in from close range to give Norway the lead on 29 minutes, but Aymen Hussein’s header brought Iraq level.

Haaland then pounced on an error at the back to put Norway ahead again before half-time and take his goal tally at international level to 57 in just 51 matches.

Leo Ostigard headed in a third for Norway moments after coming off the bench to effectively wrap up the victory. Norway then got a fourth deep into stoppage time through a Hussein own goal.

The win left Norway on top of Group I on goal difference, level with France on three points after Les Bleus overcame Senegal 3-1 earlier in the day. The Norwegians face the African powerhouses in their next game in New Jersey on June 22 .

No team has endured a longer or more perilous road to the World Cup than Iraq, who secured their place as the 48th and final qualifiers in March after a 21-match campaign that stretched across 867 days.

Hussein, the scorer of the decisive goal in the play-off win over Bolivia, was held and questioned for hours by US immigration officials after arriving with the squad ahead of Iraq’s first World Cup since 1986.

Norway last played at the tournament in 1998, when coach Stale Solbakken was a member of the squad that famously beat Brazil in the group stage before exiting in the last 16. He also featured at Euro 2000.

After breezing impressively through qualifying, twice thrashing Italy, they are hoping a golden generation of players – led by Haaland and Arsenal midfielder Martin Odegaard – can break new ground in North America.

Solbakken predicted that Haaland would make a “very big impact” at his first major finals, and the Manchester City star was quick to deliver on that promise.

Antonio Nusa’s trickery was a problem for Iraq, and his incisive pass released the overlapping David Moller Wolfe clear before Haaland stretched to steer in the low cross from the left.

Iraq, who lost all of their group games in their only previous appearance, did not let that get to them as they equalised 10 minutes later.

Amir Alammari found space just inside the area and clipped in a cross, with Hussein rising brilliantly to power a header past Orjan Nyland.

But Iraq only had themselves to blame as they gift-wrapped Haaland’s second of the contest.

Goalkeeper Jalal Hassan was slow to react to a softly hit back pass, his attempted clearance smacking off Haaland’s shin and ricocheting into the net.

Iraq again responded well with Ibrahim Bayesh denied by a desperation block, Ali Alhamadi dribbling an effort wide, and centre-back Akam Hashim lashing a spectacular volley just over the bar.

Ostigard nodded in Odegaard’s corner on 76 minutes to seal the points for Norway, before Haaland was thwarted by Hassan when another loose pass sent him clean through and seeking his hat-trick.

Haaland, nonetheless, had a hand in Norway’s late fourth, his looping header back across goal deflecting off Hussein before trickling over the line.

Austria beats Jordan 3-1 in Group J

SAN FRANCISCO, United States 

Austria’s leading goalscorer Marco Arnautovic forced an own goal to beat spirited Jordan 2-1 and deny the World Cup debutants a precious point at the San Francisco Bay Arena.

Roman Schmid struck a great effort into the top right corner with his laces to cap off a positive start, but the Middle Eastern side weren’t without chances and Ali Iyad Olwan curled home a fantastic finish worthy of being his country’s first at the tournament.

Arnautovic slotted home after coming off the bench only for it to be ruled out for handball, but Jordan didn’t heed the warning and conceded an own goal from Yazan Al-Arab before converting a penalty to seal the win and go second in Group J.

Jordan had to dig in to withstand early pressure from Ralf Ragnick’s men, yet the first chance did fall to the debutants as captain Haddad arrived late into the penalty area and the right wing-back fired into the side netting.

Just as Jordan began to build in confidence when Odeh Fakhouri saw his deflected strike from the edge of the penalty area saved well by the goalkeeper, they went behind to Schmid’s brilliant strike finding the top right corner.

Their defence simply didn’t get out quickly enough to meet the effort on goal following a neat set-back by RB Leipzig midfielder Xaver Schlager and Schmid took full advantage to convert his only shot on goal.

But Jordan were almost level instantly when Olwan headed onto the bar at the near post. Austria were caught napping by the short corner routine in a contest that was coming alive by the minute.

Alexander Schlager was called into action a second time to keep out Olwan’s shot on goal but could only parry it into the path of Rennes striker Mousa Al-Tamari, who blasted the follow up into a defender.

The forward had Schlager concerned again on the stroke of half time, wriggling away from several challenges and sending a low effort crawling not far wide as Jordan looked the more dangerous team heading into half time.

Having been Jordan’s brightest attacking threat in the first half, Olwan got his reward five minutes after the break leading a counter attack with a 30-yard run into the penalty area.

Jordan’s left midfielder justified the number nine on the back of his shirt by cutting onto his right foot and curling home off the inside of the post to deservedly draw level.

The debutants were momentarily behind when Austria’s record goalscorer Marco Arnautovic came off the bench to punish Yazeed Abdulaila for failing to get enough on the punch to clear a corner from the left.

But a VAR check then spotted right back Stefan Pausch handling the ball before the 37-year-old had scored, recommending an on-field review by referee Dahan Beida before he disallowed the goal.

The laws of the game would have ruled it out regardless of whether the handball was intentional or not, bringing a reprieve for Jordan in their quest to surprise the Austrians.

But Jordan didn’t learn their lesson and clear the next corner at the first time of asking, and Arnautovic contented with Al-Arab for the delivery and the defender inadvertently sent it past his own goalkeeper for what looked to be the winner.

Austria did well to conserve their momentum throughout the 10 minutes of added time at the end, as 37-year-old Arnautovic’s attempt on goal in the dying embers was blocked by the hand of Saleem Obaid.

The former Stoke City striker buried the spot kick and sent the goalkeeper the wrong way to give Austria a victory that may well flatter on first glance, but head coach Ragnick will nevertheless be pleased to get his World Cup campaign off to a winning start.

G7 Turns spotlight on Middle East as Trump unveils Iran deal

EVIAN-LES-BAINS, France 

G7 leaders and invited partner nations gathered in Evian-les-Bains as attention shifted from Ukraine to the Middle East following Donald Trump’s announcement of a tentative deal with Iran, with Gulf leaders joining talks on regional security and global economic risks.

Heads of state and government from the Group of Seven posed for an official family photograph alongside invited partner countries at the summit in Evian-les-Bains, France, highlighting the broad international participation in discussions on pressing geopolitical and economic challenges.

Alongside the G7 members, leaders from Brazil, Egypt, India, Kenya, South Korea, Qatar, Ukraine and the United Arab Emirates joined the gathering as special guests.

The summit’s working lunch focused heavily on developments in the Middle East after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a tentative agreement aimed at ending the three-and-a-half-month conflict with Iran.

Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi participated in the discussions, reflecting the growing regional stakes in the evolving diplomatic landscape.

Leaders examined the wider economic fallout of the conflict, including the disruption caused by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global energy supplies and international trade.

The talks underscored concerns that prolonged instability in the Gulf could have significant consequences for inflation, energy markets and worldwide economic growth.

Despite the focus on the Middle East, G7 leaders also continued discussions on Russia’s war in Ukraine, reaffirming the conflict’s place on the summit agenda alongside broader security and economic issues.

The meeting highlighted the G7’s effort to balance multiple international crises while engaging regional partners in search of coordinated responses.

Central African Republic army denies coup rumours

BANGUI, Central African Republic 

The Central African Republic's military has rejected reports circulating on social media that a plot was underway to overthrow the government, insisting that the country remains stable and that state institutions are functioning normally.

In a rare public statement, the armed forces' general staff dismissed claims of a coup attempt as false information aimed at creating confusion and undermining public confidence. 

Military officials urged citizens not to be influenced by rumours and to rely only on official sources for information.

The denial comes amid heightened sensitivity across Africa, where several countries have experienced military takeovers or alleged coup plots in recent years. As a result, unverified reports of political instability often spread quickly online.

Authorities in Bangui say security forces remain fully operational and loyal to President Faustin-Archange Touadéra's government. 

The military leadership also warned against the dissemination of false information, saying such reports could threaten national security and public order.

The statement seeks to reassure both citizens and international partners at a time when the Central African Republic continues to face security challenges despite efforts to stabilize the country.

For now, officials insist there has been no attempt to overthrow the government, describing the rumours as unfounded speculation rather than a genuine threat to the state.

Messi hat-trick fires holders Argentina to win over Algeria at World Cup

KANSAS, United States 

Lionel Messi marked his record sixth World Cup appearance with his first hat-trick at a FIFA tournament – also becoming the joint-highest scorer at a World Cup – as Argentina beat Algeria 3-0 to open the defence of their global crown.

The former 38-year-old forward thought he had opened the scoring in the eighth minute in Kansas City on Tuesday when he slotted home from close range, but the offside flag was raised.

The dream start to his record-setting appearance, which will be matched by Cristiano Ronaldo for Portugal against the Democratic Republic of the Congo on Wednesday, was not to be denied for long, though.

A trademark, mazy run was capped by a drive on the edge of the box from that famed left foot. The power was too much for Algeria keeper Luca Zidane, son of World Cup winner with France, Zinedine.

Messi doubled his tally on the hour mark with a simple tap-in from a rebound off the keeper following a drive from Alexis Mac Allister.

The moment that was magical even for a player as decorated as Messi came in the 76th minute when he drilled low past the keeper from just outside the box.

The strike took Messi level with former Germany striker Miroslav Klose on 16 World Cup goals.

His substitution came just three minutes later to a standing ovation – even old maestro seemed disappointed to be removed, and most likely rested for Argentina’s tilt at becoming only the third side to defend a World Cup title.

Algeria – the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations winners – offered little, but were themselves denied an early goal when Fares Chaibi’s ninth-minute strike was ruled out for offside.

Messi saw to it that there was no opening game upset to be had at this edition, with Argentina having lost their opening game at Qatar 2022 to Saudi Arabia.

Messi, who spent the majority of his club career in Spain with Barcelona before moving to French giants Paris Saint-Germain, plies his trade in US football’s Major League Soccer with Inter Miami.

Jordan and Austria open their account in the group later on Tuesday in San Francisco.

Mbappé’s belter steals show as fluid France see off late Senegal challenge

NEW YORK, United States 

This was an ominous start from the World Cup favourites. A spluttering first-half performance gave way to a second period characterised by a combination of physical intensity and technical ability that few club sides, never mind nations, can match. 

Add on a record-breaking double for Kylian Mbappé and some superlative playmaking from Michael Olise and this was very much a job well done for Les Bleus.

After Mbappé tucked away a superb Olise pass just after the hour, a match that had started as a keenly fought contest faded away into a procession. 

When the captain crashed his second of the day past Édouard Mendy in a chaotic period of added time, he secured both victory and his place as France’s all-time leading scorer, a 58th goal for his country edging him ahead of Olivier Giroud.

This was all grist to the mill for Didier Deschamps, who denied having given his team a dressing-down after an error-strewn first half but did admit to “speaking my mind”. 

He said the key change in the second half was positional, as Olise moved more centrally to influence the play. But it was clear the players had also been encouraged, gently or otherwise, to raise their level.

“I am frank with my players, I tell them how things are,” Deschamps said. “We could have done much better on many levels in the first half. I wasn’t shouting or screaming, I’ve grown wiser with age, but my players do have to make the right decisions in defending and come into their own when attacking.”

Deschamps said he moved Olise inside, at the expense of Ousmane Dembelé (who was later substituted), because “I thought it would give us more connection. The more Michael touches the ball the better it is. It created more danger.”

As for Mbappé he was, in his coach’s words, “ruthlessly efficient”. 

The 27-year-old is now the third highest goalscorer in World Cup history behind Ronaldo Nazario and Miroslav Klose, and was not immune from the mistakes that characterised the first half. 

But, Deschamps said: “If you want to miss the first half again and score two in the second half, that’s OK with me.”

Senegal should likely have held the lead at half time, with Mike Maignan saving well from Sadio Mané (and avoiding an inadvertent own goal after the ball deflected off his heel) before Ismaïla Sarr wasted a clear opportunity from 10 yards out. 

But when France re-emerged from the break they did so with a marked increase in intensity and, by the hour mark, the game had changed decisively.

France were now the dominant team and it felt as if a goal could arrive at any minute. 

So when Mbappé burst down the right and forced Mané into a sliding challenge inside the penalty area, there was a collective holding of the breath. 

While Alireza Faghani awarded a corner, video footage seemed to suggest a foul, but after the Iranian-Australian referee was directed towards the monitor, he chose not to change his mind to the surprise of almost everyone in the ground.

The decision, however unusual, did not effect the direction of this match as Olise and Mbappé continued to purr. 

Almost immediately the former burst through the middle of the pitch and slipped a ball beyond the Senegal defence which the latter just could not reach. 

No matter, because the next time the ball came to the Bayern man, some 30 yards out from goal, he bisected two lines of opposition defence with a visionary pass cutting right to left across the field.

Coming left to right, meanwhile, was Mbappé. He beat everyone to the ball, turned back on himself and finished with consummate ease.

Dembelé was ultimately withdrawn for Bradley Barcola, a closer for club and country, who doubled the France lead with eight minutes to go when he ran on to another through ball, this time following assertive play by Adrien Rabiot, to slot past Mendy. 

The Senegal substitute Ibrahim Mbaye slammed a rising drive past Maignan in added time to alter momentarily the calculations before Mbappé struck again, a swerving dipping effort off the laces that Mendy should have dealt with better.

For Pape Thiaw, the Senegal head coach, this was a lesson in hitting your levels, but not a fatal one. 

His side face Norway next, then Iraq, and qualification remains the aim. “When you look at the match overall, if we had been more efficient by half-time we would have led by one or two nil,” he said. “In the second half France were more efficient than we were. 

We lost the ball easily on all their opportunities, and with the technical ability of the opponent we can’t allow that to happen. We have two matches to play to get six points.”

EAST AFRICA NEWSPAPERS 17/6/2026