France defeated Senegal 3-1 in their opening Group I match of the World Cup on Tuesday at MetLife Stadium.
Kylian Mbappe scored twice after a scoreless first half, while Bradley Barcola added a late goal for Les Bleus.
Ibrahim Mbaye scored for Senegal.
The victory gave Didier Deschamps' side three points as they launched their bid for a third World Cup title.
Mbappe's double raised his career World Cup tally to 14 goals, moving him past Pele, Lionel Messi, and Just Fontaine to tie Germany's Gerd Muller on the all-time scoring list.
The Real Madrid forward also became France's career scoring leader with 58 goals, surpassing Olivier Giroud's previous record of 57 during his 99th international appearance.
France struggled initially, being outshot 5-1 in the first half.
Deschamps then shifted Michael Olise infield from the right wing to spark a dominant 10-1 shot advantage in the second period.
Mbappe broke the deadlock in the 66th minute by converting a diagonal pass from Olise.
He celebrated by mimicking a flute player in fulfillment of a promise made to television host James Corden.
"He could have scored four or five goals, but we're happy with two goals," said France coach Didier Deschamps.
The French manager dismissed criticisms regarding the star striker's defensive contributions while praising his game-changing abilities.
"If he wants to miss the first half again and score two goals in the second half in another match, that's OK with me," said Deschamps.
"He can from time to time miss a game or two but on one action he really is able to tip the scales and bring his team to victory."
"People say he doesn't defend enough. Well, he's not here to defend," added Deschamps.
Mbappe addressed the media after the match, downplaying negative commentary. "It's not about revenge," he said.
"If I started playing for all the people who criticize me just to silence them, I'd have to play until I was 80."
French defender William Saliba expressed complete confidence in Mbappe's ability to break the all-time World Cup scoring record held by Miroslav Klose.
"A crazy goal," said Saliba regarding Mbappe's 96th-minute long-range strike. "I'm sure that he will do it."
Senegal coach Pape Thiaw lamented his team's missed opportunities in the first half, including a Nicolas Jackson shot that hit the post and a missed chance by Ismaila Sarr.
"If we had been more efficient, by halftime, we would have been able to lead 1- or 2-nil," said Thiaw.
France is scheduled to play Iraq on Monday in Philadelphia for their next Group I fixture. Senegal will face Norway at MetLife Stadium on the same day.
