India, June 17 -- France got their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign underway at the New York New Jersey Stadium, shaking off a sluggish first half to overcome a highly disciplined Senegal side 3-1 on 17th June. But while Les Bleus could show off their enviable tactical depth with a sharp second-half cameo from substitute Bradley Barcola, the night belonged to their 27-year-old captain, Kylian Mbappe. The Real Madrid star dominated the key opening match in Group I, netting a sensational second-half brace, while completely obliterating two major national and world scoring records in the process.

1. France's Outright All-Time Leading Goalscorer

As the opening matchday approached, the weight of national history hung over Mbappe. He was on 56 in...