France kicked off their campaign with a 7-1 humiliation of debutants New Caledonia in a Group 'E' match of the FIFA U-17 World Cup here yesterday. France were on the ball from the word go. Interestingly, the French scored six of their seven goals in the first half. The European heavyweights opened the account when Bernard Iwa scored an own goal to give France the lead in the fifth minute. Amine Gouiri doubled the lead in the 20th minute after being fed by Yacine Adli. Ten minutes later, Claudio Gomes made it 3-0 for France, this time Gouiri making the assist. Gouiri, later, hit the target barely three minutes later off an Adli pass. In the 40th minute, Maxence Caqueret made use of Adli's headed pass to score France's fifth goal.

France (in white jerseys) and New Caledonia players tussle for a ball yesterday. Pic/PTI