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surrounding France’s attack, it was only after the 66th minute that the runners-up of the last edition truly began to click. Bradley Barcola added a second in the 82nd minute with a delicate dink over the keeper, seemingly putting the game beyond reach. Senegal, however, refused to fade quietly, pulling one back in injury time to briefly unsettle the favourites and hinting at a more uncomfortable finish.

Still, Mbappe had the final word. Picking up space outside the penalty area, he unleashed a quick, decisive strike from distance that caught Mendy off guard once again. The goal not only sealed a 3-1 win but also made Mbappe France’s all-time leading scorer with 58 goals, surpassing Olivier Giroud. At just 27, his World Cup record -- 14 goals in 15 matches -- continues to underline a player who seems built for football’s biggest stage.

Yet the scoreline only told part of the story. Despite the victory, France did not display the kind of sustained dominance expected from outright favourites. There were moments where they rode their luck, particularly in the first half, when their front three of Desire Doue, Mbappe, and Ousmane Dembele barely combined, registering just a single touch between them before the break.

Senegal could easily have shifted the momentum. Nicolas Jackson struck the post, while Ismaila Sarr wasted a clear chance, firing over with the goal gaping. On another night, France might have found themselves chasing the game.

Deschamps’ tactical setup could also be scrutinised. Olise was deployed more centrally -- a shift from his destructive club role as a right-winger at Bayern Munich, where he registered 25 goals and 28 assists in 57 appearances across competitions. While his vision and passing ultimately helped unlock Senegal’s defence, France arguably lost some of his natural threat from the right flank, where his cutting runs and curling finishes are most dangerous.

This is where Didier Deschamps finds himself spoilt for choice. France’s depth allows him to reshape the attack without weakening it, even if the balance is still being refined. He could, for instance, introduce Manchester City’s Rayan Cherki in the number 10 role, shift Dembele to the left, restore Olise to his preferred right wing, and keep Mbappe centrally -- a configuration that could make France significantly more incisive.