Mbappe becomes France's all-time top scorer at World Cup
Kylian Mbappe scored twice in France's 3-1 victory over Senegal, becoming the nation's all-time leading goalscorer. The 27-year-old surpassed the previous record held by Thierry Henry, capping a remarkable journey from teenage prodigy to record-breaker. His brace helped defending champions France open their World Cup campaign with a convincing win. Multiple records were also broken in the process, underscoring Mbappe's status as one of the sport's greats.
Erling Haaland made a stunning World Cup debut, scoring twice as Norway defeated Iraq 4-1. The Manchester City striker opened his account on the biggest stage with a clinical brace, living up to expectations as one of football's elite forwards. Norway's dominant performance signals their intent to advance deep into the tournament. Haaland's debut marks a milestone for the Nordic nation's return to the World Cup spotlight.
Hong Kong's influence in world football is on display through multiple stories at the World Cup. A Hong Kong-based coach is working to develop the city's first sub-10-second sprinter in Wu Yanni. Swedish striker Viktor Gyokeres credited Hong Kong for his development ahead of his World Cup debut. New Zealand's Elijah Just, who has a Chinese mother and plays in Scotland, scored twice for his country at the tournament.
The United States has confirmed that Iran's national team must depart the country shortly after each World Cup match, a restriction that has drawn complaints from the Iranian coach. US officials insist the arrangement was communicated to Iran in advance and is not a surprise. The policy stems from ongoing diplomatic tensions between the two nations. Iran's World Cup debut at the tournament is overshadowed by the travel restrictions limiting their stay on American soil.