Maignan alarms observers despite France's victory over Senegal

Mike Maignan delivered an alarming performance on Tuesday evening during France’s victory over Senegal (3-1), the Blues’ opening match in the 2026 World Cup. While his teammates raised their level in the second half to secure the win, the AC Milan goalkeeper was one of the rare disappointments.

Senegal only got two of their six attempts on target, but Maignan appeared in difficulty with every intervention. As early as the 25th minute, he was saved by his post on a shot from Nicolas Jackson, with the ball rebounding off his foot before going out for a corner. In the 68th minute, the same Jackson saw a goal ruled out for offside — a decision that masked a highly questionable positioning by the French goalkeeper on the shot. Late in the match, Maignan could not stop Ibrahim Baye’s powerful cross-shot, which reduced the deficit to 2-1 in stoppage time (90+5).

The analysts on L’Équipe’s broadcast did not hide their perplexity. “I didn’t find him reassuring at all,” said journalist Dave Appadoo. Johan Micoud agreed: “It’s concerning all the same. On the interventions he had to make tonight, there isn’t one where you think: ‘That’s what he needed to do.’” The commentators mentioned the two other goalkeepers in the squad, before tempering their remarks by noting that a change in the hierarchy was not on the agenda.

In L’Équipe’s ratings, Maignan received a score of 3, the lowest among the twenty-two players on the pitch, tied with Senegalese defender Kalidou Koulibaly. The goalkeeper will have a chance to respond next Monday, during the Blues’ second group match against Iraq.