France Dominates Iraq as Mbappé Nears World Cup Scoring Record

Even with nearly four hours lost to thunderstorms, France secured a comfortable 3-0 victory over Iraq, ensuring their place in the knockout stages of the 2026 World Cup. Kylian Mbappé wasted no time showing his brilliance, scoring a powerful left-footed goal in the 14th minute. The match was paused for two hours after halftime due to heavy rain, but that did not slow down the reigning finalists.

Early in the second half, Mbappé capitalized on a defensive error by Iraq to score again, assisted by Ousmane Dembélé. Dembélé later added his first World Cup goal with a neat finish, capping off a commanding performance from Didier Deschamps' squad that rarely seemed to ease up.

Mbappé's Rising Legacy

Mbappé now boasts 16 goals across his World Cup appearances, averaging one per game. His first goal came from a thunderous shot past goalkeeper Ahmed Basil, and his second was a simple tap-in following a costly mistake from the Iraqi defense. This latest brace puts him level with Miroslav Klose as the second highest scorer in World Cup history, trailing only Lionel Messi who scored twice today to reach 18 goals.

While Messi continues to defy age, Mbappé’s consistency suggests it’s only a matter of time before he surpasses the Argentine as the tournament's all-time top scorer. We think Mbappé is already among the greatest players in World Cup history.

France Player Ratings vs. Iraq (4-2-3-1)

Dembélé finally ended his World Cup goal drought in his 13th appearance, also setting up a goal. His contribution may ease some pressure on him moving forward. Michael Olise stood out creatively, controlling the midfield and assisting twice, making him the heart of France's offense even if Mbappé steals the headlines.

Manu Koné stepped up admirably in place of the injured Aurélien Tchouaméni, dominating midfield battles and proving his worth as a reliable substitute. It looks like Koné currently ranks above N’Golo Kanté in Deschamps’ plans.

Statistics Highlight France's Control

France's dominance is clear: they outshot Iraq by a large margin, controlled the majority of possession, and registered far more chances in the opponent’s box. Mbappé alone had seven shots, exceeding Iraq’s total attempts, with an xG double that of their entire side.