The FIFA World Cup records France, Kylian Mbappe and Michael Olise will target after Les Bleus' scintillating Sweden win

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A scintillating 3-0 win over Sweden saw France firmly state their case as tournament favourites. Les Bleus’ comprehensive victory over Graham Potter’s men has set up a last-16 tie against Paraguay, with a quarter-final clash with Canada or Morocco also potentially on the horizon. 

Deschamps adamant Spain are ‘clear favourites’ to win World Cup

Video credit: SNTV

France, led by free-scoring skipper Kylian Mbappe and creator-in-chief Michael Olise, look among the most likely teams to reach the FIFA World Cup final in New Jersey on July 19. 
Should Didier Deschamps lead France to a third World Cup crown, a host of records could tumble.
Indeed, one has fallen already, as Mbappe became the all-time leading goalscorer in World Cup knockout matches, with his brace against Sweden taking his tally to 10 knockout stage goals.
Here are some of the records Mbappe and France have in their sights as they chase a fifth World Cup final appearance in eight tournaments.

Most goals ever in World Cup history

Mbappe shares the lead in this World Cup’s Golden Boot race with Argentina's Lionel Messi, with both on six goals. 
But he is just behind his former Paris Saint-Germain teammate in the all-time World Cup scoring tally, with Messi the record holder on 19, and Mbappe on 18. 
Eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi registered his 19 goal haul across six World Cups, while Mbappe has scored his 18 goals in just three. 

Most goals ever in one World Cup

Mbappe may also have his sights on compatriot Just Fontaine's record of 13 goals in a single World Cup, set across just six matches in 1958.
Fontaine, also of France, registered a hat trick, two braces, a winner against Scotland, a strike against eventual champions Brazil and a four-goal showing in the third-place play-off game.
If anyone is to eclipse Fontaine's record, this World Cup is the place to do it. An extra round of fixtures and the prolific form of Mbappe, Messi and Erling Haaland have created the ideal conditions.

Most assists ever in one World Cup

Raymond Kopa holds the record for the most assists in a World Cup, with the Frenchman racking up eight in the aforementioned 1958 tournament. Opta started tracking data with the 1966 World Cup and by their records the most is six, which came from Brazilian legend Pele.
France’s Michael Olise has already registered five assists in four games this World Cup.
Should France go very deep in the tournament - and Mbappe continue to find the net - you would not bet against Olise surpassing both Pele's and Kopa’s tallies. 
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Kylian Mbappe celebrates with Michael Olise after scoring a third goal for France in their 3-0 win over Sweden on Tuesday

Image credit: Getty Images

Most World Cup wins as manager

Only one manager has won the World Cup twice - Italian coach Vittorio Pozzo, who guided the Azzurri to consecutive triumphs in 1934 and 1938.
Deschamps could equal the record should France go all the way, having also guided Les Bleus to World Cup success in 2018. 
The France boss is already among a select group to have won the World Cup as both a player and a manager, alongside Mario Zagallo and Franz Beckenbauer.

Win every World Cup game

France have won all their games so far, and should they go on to win the tournament without requiring extra-time and penalties, they would equal a record.
Only four teams have won all the games on course to claim a World Cup - Uruguay and Italy in the first and third editions of the tournament, as well as Brazil in 1970 and 2002. 

Fewest goals conceded by eventual champions

Admittedly, this one feels a long shot.
France have conceded just two goals so far this tournament. If Mike Maignan keeps a clean sheet in each of France's remaining knockout matches, he would join an exclusive group of goalkeepers.
Fabien Barthez, Gianluigi Buffon and Iker Casillas jointly hold the record for the fewest goals conceded by a World Cup-winning goalkeeper, with just two.
The feat would be even more impressive than in the past, given the expanded 48-team tournament includes an additional knockout round.

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