Kylian Mbappe scores France’s first two objectives, with Ousmane Dembele including the opposite in a 3-0 win in opposition to Iraq.
Printed On 23 Jun 2026
Kylian Mbappe scored his second brace of the event, and France eased to a 3-0 victory over Iraq within the first match of this World Cup beset by a prolonged climate stoppage.
Mbappe’s objectives got here almost three hours aside after thunderstorms within the area on Monday delayed the second-half kickoff by a shade below two hours.
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They take him to 16 all-time World Cup tallies, pulling him degree with former record-holder Miroslav Klose. Earlier on Monday, Lionel Messi set a brand new benchmark of 18 profession World Cup objectives together with his brace in Argentina’s 2-0 victory over Austria.
Mbappe’s 4 objectives additionally place him one behind Messi within the 2026 Golden Boot race.
Reigning Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele additionally scored after half-time for two-time champions France (2-0-0, 6 factors), who’re all however assured of progressing.
Their last-32 place will turn into official if Norway win or draw in opposition to Senegal within the different Group I fixture. That match, staged about two hours away by automotive in northern New Jersey, kicked off near-simultaneously with the beginning of the long-awaited second half at Philadelphia Stadium.
Iraq (0-2-0, 0 factors) stay alive for one of many eight knockout spots allotted for third-place groups.
They are going to in all probability want a win of their group finale in opposition to Senegal and assist elsewhere. They usually might be with out Aymen Hussein, who scored their solely purpose this event of their opener, however exited on Monday within the twenty sixth minute with an obvious harm.
France dominated the early phases, and Mbappe capitalised within the 14th minute.
On an innocent-looking sequence on the precise, Mbappe acquired Michael Olise’s cross, took one contact to his left and, with Iraqi defenders affording him area, unfurled a strong strike from the sting of the penalty space that sailed past Ahmed Basil’s dive.
The delay might have served as a restoration interval for Iraq, who spent most of the match chasing the ball. As an alternative, they gifted France and Mbappe a second on a dreadful mistake from a purpose kick.
Dembele was the supplier for Mbappe’s tap-in. He scored 12 minutes later, after controlling Olise’s incisive cross into the 18-yard field and ending low previous Basil.
With the result by no means doubtful, the climate supplied the drama.
After referee Drew Fischer blew his half-time whistle as storms have been already starting, the skies opened additional, and spectators have been informed to hunt shelter within the stadium concourses.
Gamers lastly re-emerged for warm-ups about 1 hour and 40 minutes later, and even then, the restart was delayed additional as stadium personnel used squeegees to shuttle standing water off the east facet of the pitch.
