Live France - Senegal (2 AM June 17): Will Mbappe shine to give France the first 3 points?

France and Senegal are set to clash in what is being dubbed the "group of death" in the World Cup. France enters the tournament as one of the favorites to win their third championship, while Senegal, after an undefeated qualifying campaign, is targeting a quarterfinal finish at minimum. The match promises excitement, with Senegal's current squad boasting superior quality compared to their 2002 upset victory over France. Senegal's strengths lie in their unity, defensive solidity, and excellent physical conditioning. France, ranked second only to Spain among championship contenders, fields a strong and balanced team across all positions. Coach Deschamps, with 14 World Cup wins, is on the verge of surpassing Helmut Schon's record of 16 victories. However, France faces some injury concerns, with defender William Saliba not fully recovered and Jules Kounde dealing with a muscle strain. Despite these issues, their other key players are available. Kylian Mbappe, leading France's formidable attack, approaches the match with 56 goals for the national team, just one shy of Olivier Giroud's all-time record. Vietnamese-French defender Kevin Pham Ba noted Mbappe's current form, stating he is a world-class player who has had a good season. However, Pham Ba also cautioned that France cannot solely rely on Mbappe and that the star forward may not be at his absolute peak due to recent injuries.

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I have faced Kylian Mbappe and Marcus Thuram when they were playing in the lower divisions of French football. Mbappe is currently a world-class player and has had a good season, scoring many goals.