On Monday, France dominated Iraq with a 3-0 victory at Philadelphia's Lincoln Financial Field during their second match of Group I in the 2026 World Cup, securing their place in the round of 16 with an impeccable record.
The match's undeniable standout was Kylian Mbappé, who delivered a double strike, reaching 16 career World Cup goals and tying the historic record set by Miroslav Klose.
The French captain initiated the scoring in the 14th minute with a left-footed shot from the edge of the box, leaving no chance for Iraqi goalkeeper Ahmed Basil.
Despite being the sole goal of the first half, the match was far from straightforward. At the half's conclusion, Canadian referee Drew Fischer halted the game for over two hours due to a severe thunderstorm alert with lightning detected within 13 km of the stadium, as reported by AFP.
The teams resumed play at 8:00 PM local time, with the rain cleared, and France swiftly sealed their win.
By the 54th minute, Iraq faltered in defense, allowing Ousmane Dembélé to set up Mbappé for an easy finish in the six-yard box, marking the 2-0 scoreline.
This goal marked the Real Madrid forward's 16th in World Cup tournaments.
Following the second goal, Iraq struggled to regain their footing.
In the 66th minute, Dembélé capitalized on another defensive mishap from Iraq, securing the final 3-0 score.
The Asian team barely responded, with Ali Al-Hamadi's attempt in the 75th minute being deflected off target by Mike Maignan.
The match statistics underscored France's dominance: 55% possession, 19 shots — five on target — compared to Iraq's mere four attempts, none on goal.
This result places France firmly at the top of Group I with six points from two matches, boasting six goals scored and only one conceded. Iraq, having already suffered a 1-4 defeat to Norway in their first match, is eliminated with zero points and a goal difference of -6.
Under Didier Deschamps' leadership, France previously defeated Senegal 3-1 in their World Cup opener on June 16, with Mbappé also scoring twice.
France's next challenge is set for Friday, June 26, against Norway at Boston's Gillette Stadium, where they aim to conclude the group stage with a perfect nine points.
Key Insights into France's World Cup Performance
How did Kylian Mbappé perform against Iraq?
Kylian Mbappé was instrumental in France's victory over Iraq, scoring two goals and tying Miroslav Klose's record for World Cup goals.
What was the impact of the weather on the match?
The match faced a suspension of over two hours due to a severe thunderstorm alert, which delayed play until it was safe to resume.
What are France's prospects in Group I?
With six points from two matches, France is leading Group I and is well-positioned to advance, aiming for a perfect record in their upcoming match against Norway.