Malo Gusto calls World Cup win over Senegal a 'relief'

Malo Gusto, the Chelsea defender and French national team player, admitted that the team's victory against Senegal in their opening World Cup 2026 match was a significant "relief." He believes the win "put us directly into the competition" and will be beneficial for their upcoming games.

“

A victory in a first match like that against Senegal is very positive. It allows us to move directly to the next match and think about victory too. In terms of intensity and impact, it put us directly into the competition, so I hope and believe it will help us for what's to come.

Gusto acknowledged that France faced difficulties finding their rhythm in the first half against Senegal. He attributed this to a period of adaptation, citing factors such as the pitch conditions, the heat, and Senegal's high-intensity play. However, he stressed that the team corrected their course during halftime after discussions among themselves and guidance from coach Didier Deschamps. Gusto highlighted that Senegal is a tough opponent and adapting to the new conditions was crucial for their improved second-half performance.

“

We talked a bit amongst ourselves. I think there was a brief period of adaptation. Well, it lasted one half, luckily it wasn't longer. I think it was about acclimatization, the field, the heat, and a team like Senegal that puts in a lot of intensity. The most important thing was to right the course at halftime. The coach spoke to us well. We also knew amongst ourselves that it was a good team, that it was complicated.

He specifically lauded teammate Dayot Upamecano, calling his performance "incredible" and "very, very solid." Gusto emphasized the importance of strong defense in tournaments like the World Cup, noting that conceding fewer goals significantly aids a team's progress. He also mentioned Lionel Messi's "incredible hat-trick" for Argentina against Algeria as a standout moment in the tournament so far, alongside France's comeback win.

“

He played an incredible game against Senegal. We were discussing it on the bench, and for me, he was really one of the men of the match. He was very, very solid at the back, and I think he helped us a lot. We are lucky today to have this type of central defender on our team. It's great for us and for the team. We know that in competitions like this, conceding as few goals as possible helps a lot. Not conceding goals is a satisfaction at the end of the match.

Gusto confirmed he is available for the upcoming match against Iraq, downplaying a minor foot issue as a "small hematoma" that should not prevent him from playing. He acknowledged the strong competition for starting positions within the French squad, emphasizing the high quality of his teammates. Gusto stated his readiness to play whenever coach Didier Deschamps deems it appropriate, vowing to give his all for the team.

“

Yes, everything is fine. It was just a small stamp from Lucas. I'm fine. I'll do a bit of treatment. Today it's just a small hematoma, so it should be fine.