France Dominates Iraq as Mbappé Nears World Cup Scoring Record

Despite nearly four hours of delays caused by thunderstorms, France secured a convincing 3-0 victory over Iraq, ensuring their place in the knockout stages of the 2026 World Cup. The match started with a bang when Kylian Mbappé scored a fierce left-footed shot just 14 minutes in, setting the tone for the day.

The intense rain led to a two-hour break after halftime, yet the delay didn't slow down the reigning finalists. Mbappé struck again early in the second half, capitalizing on a costly mistake from the Iraqi defense. Ousmane Dembélé assisted Mbappé's second goal and later sealed the win with his first World Cup goal, delivering a memorable finish for Les Bleus.

Mbappé Closes In On All-Time Scoring Record

Mbappé now boasts 16 goals across his World Cup appearances, averaging one goal per game—an extraordinary feat. His latest performance included a powerful strike that beat goalkeeper Ahmed Basil, followed by an easy tap-in thanks to Iraq's defensive error. This places him level with Miroslav Klose as the second-highest scorer in World Cup history.

On the same day, Lionel Messi added two goals to reach a record 18 career World Cup goals. Still, Mbappé’s continued brilliance suggests he may soon overtake Messi to become the tournament's top scorer. His status as one of the greatest players in World Cup history feels well deserved.

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

Ratings by FotMob

• Mike Maignan (GK) - 7.1: Rarely tested, he watched from the back as France controlled the match.
• Jules Koundé (RB) - 7.4: Provided steady support on the right but played a less attacking role.
• Dayot Upamecano (CB) - 7.9: Commanded the defense with ease, rarely losing possession.
• William Saliba (CB) - 7.2: Dominated aerial battles and comfortably handled any long balls from Iraq.
• Lucas Digne (LB) - 7.1: Made a few early mistakes but then played safe passes and stayed solid defensively.
• Manu Koné (CM) - 7.3: Entered due to Aurélien Tchouaméni's injury and showed grit, winning possession and disrupting Iraq’s rhythm.
• Adrien Rabiot (CM) - 7.2: Quiet but effective, covering ground and linking up the play efficiently.
• Ousmane Dembélé (RW) - 8.6: Turned his game around with a goal and an assist, marking his best performance at a major international tournament.
• Michael Olise (AM) - 8.9: The creative hub of the attack, providing two assists and crafting chances with skillful touches.
• Bradley Barcola (LW) - 7.5: Stretched Iraq’s defense with runs but lacked finishing quality in critical moments.
• Kylian Mbappé (ST) - 9.2: Opened the scoring with a thunderous strike and added a second goal, reinforcing his remarkable World Cup legacy.

Substitutes:

• Rayan Cherki (68’ for Olise) - 6.9: Showed glimpses of brilliance in a short appearance.
• Désiré Doué (68’ for Dembélé) - 6.2: Too little time to influence the match.
• Malo Gusto (83’ for Koundé), Maghnes Akliouche (83’ for Barcola), Marcus Thuram (90’ for Mbappé) - Not rated.

Insights From The Match

Dembélé’s breakthrough goal at his 13th World Cup match lifted some pressure from him, as he also contributed an assist. Olise remains a key figure in the attack, operating centrally and standing out with his creativity and chance creation. Koné stepped in seamlessly for the injured Tchouaméni, showcasing why he might be ahead of N’Golo Kanté in the midfield pecking order.

Statistical Breakdown

France dominated with 19 shots to Iraq’s 4, but none of the Iraqi attempts required significant saves from Maignan. Though possession was fairly balanced, France created many more dangerous opportunities inside the box.

Mbappé alone had seven shots, surpassing Iraq’s total attempts, and produced an xG of 1.20 compared to Iraq’s 0.60.