Michael Olise was named Player of the Match as France opened their 2026 World Cup campaign with a 3-1 victory over Senegal on Tuesday night at MetLife Stadium.
The 24-year-old Bayern Munich winger collected the award despite Kylian Mbappé scoring twice, including a late strike that made him France’s all-time leading scorer. Olise’s consistent influence across the entire match, highlighted by a clever assist for Mbappé’s first goal, earned him the honor from the global voting fans.
Olise stood out with his movement, vision, and ability to create danger on the right flank. He repeatedly found space between Senegal’s lines, linked play effectively, and maintained a high work rate even when France struggled for rhythm in the first half. His assist broke the deadlock in the 66th minute and set the tone for a stronger second-half display by Les Bleus.
Mbappé added polish to the result with his brace, but voting fans and analysts highlighted Olise’s overall contribution as the most decisive factor in controlling the contest and unlocking the Senegalese defense.
Olise’s recognition as Player of the Match underscores his growing importance in the national team setup, where he continues to deliver in big games alongside established stars.
