Mbappe Shines Bright as France Cruise Past Iraq
Kylian Mbappe marked his 100th France cap with a brace as Les Bleus swept Iraq 3-0 and booked their Round of 32 spot.
Mbappe’s Double Moves Him Two Behind Messi’s All-Time Record
Kylian Mbappe turned 100 France caps into 100-proof gold in Philadelphia on Sunday, scoring twice to fire Les Bleus to a commanding 3-0 victory over Iraq in Group I. The French captain struck in the 14th and 54th minutes before Ousmane Dembele added a third, and not even a dramatic two-hour lightning delay could stop France booking their place in the Round of 32.
The French captain opened with a rasping left-footed drive after Michael Olise’s brilliant pass down the right flank. His second arrived via a gift from Iraq’s goalkeeper — a botched short goal-kick gifted Dembele possession, and Mbappe swept home the finish emphatically. The brace moved Mbappe to 16 World Cup goals, just two behind Lionel Messi in the all-time scoring charts, with France yet to face their toughest tests.
Two-Hour Weather Stoppage Fails to Break French Momentum
Fierce storms over Philadelphia forced the first weather-related delay in World Cup 2026 history — a 15-minute precautionary break that stretched into a full two-hour lightning halt. Players retreated to dressing rooms, fans sheltered in place, and officials waited for the all-clear. When play finally resumed, France barely missed a beat, suffocating Iraq with relentless pace and movement to add Dembele’s third goal and seal a decisive victory on the night.
France march into the knockouts as one of the tournament’s most fearsome sides. With Mbappe closing in on Messi’s all-time World Cup scoring record and Dembele, Olise and deep squad talent behind him, Les Bleus look built to go all the way at this World Cup.
