World Cup 2026: Edouard Mendy rues missed chances and lack of concentration as Senegal fall to France in opener

Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy has admitted his side paid the price for lapses in concentration during their 3-1 defeat to France in their opening World Cup Group I clash in East Rutherford on Tuesday.

Despite a promising first-half display, the African side were undone after the break as France capitalised through a Kylian Mbappe brace and a strike from Bradley Barcola. Senegal’s lone goal came from Ibrahim Mbaye.

Mendy acknowledged that the Lions of Teranga failed to make their early dominance count.

“We were a bit sluggish in the first-half,” the 34-year-old told beIN Sports. “We knew that in the second we had to raise our level, be more cutting edge in attack.”

He added that facing elite opposition required full focus at both ends of the pitch.

“When you are up against pure talent, you cannot take your eye off the ball,” he said.

The former Chelsea Champions League winner in 2021 insisted there was no major gap in quality between the two sides, but stressed Senegal’s inconsistency in possession proved costly.

“We were especially lax when it came to retaining possession,” Mendy said. “We should have been more consistent in keeping it.”

Senegal now turn their attention to upcoming Group I fixtures against Norway on Monday and Iraq four days later.