World Cup: Mbappe hits brace as France crush Iraq

Kylian Mbappe marked his 100th appearance for France in style on Monday, scoring twice as Les Bleus defeated Iraq 3-0 in their 2026 World Cup Group I clash in Philadelphia.

The France captain opened the scoring in the 14th minute before adding his second nine minutes after the restart. Ousmane Dembele completed the victory in the 66th minute as Didier Deschamps’ side maintained their perfect start to the tournament.

The game at Lincoln Financial Field was delayed for more than two hours at half-time after a severe storm swept through Philadelphia.

The match had kicked off in dry conditions, but heavy rain began late in the first half, forcing organisers to ask fans to leave open seating areas and seek shelter in covered parts of the stadium.

Most of the 68,324-capacity venue is uncovered, leaving thousands of supporters packed into concourses while the players waited in the dressing room.

It was the first match at this World Cup to be delayed by bad weather, with safety protocols in the United States requiring play to be suspended once a storm is detected in the area.

Before the interruption, Mbappe had already put France ahead with a powerful 20-metre strike after controlling a pass with his right foot and firing beyond Iraq goalkeeper Ahmed Basil.

Iraq’s difficult evening worsened in the 26th minute when captain and striker Aymen Hussein was forced off injured.

When play resumed after the long delay, France quickly took control again. A defensive mix-up gifted them their second goal in the 54th minute after Zaid Tahseen’s poor goal-kick attempt allowed Dembele to set up Mbappe for a simple finish.

Michael Olise later struck the bar with a delicate chip before turning provider for Dembele, who fired in France’s third goal to seal a comfortable win.

Mbappe’s brace took him to four goals in two matches at the tournament, following his double in France’s 3-1 win over Senegal in their opening fixture.

The Real Madrid forward now has 60 goals for France in 100 appearances and 16 World Cup goals in just 16 matches.

He is now two goals behind Lionel Messi, who set a new all-time World Cup scoring record of 18 goals after scoring twice for Argentina against Austria earlier on Monday.

Mbappe has also drawn level with Germany’s Miroslav Klose and moved ahead of Brazil legend Ronaldo, who scored 15 World Cup goals.

France, beaten finalists in 2022, are now certain of a place in the last 32 after winning their first two Group I matches.

They will face Erling Haaland’s Norway in Boston on Friday in their final group fixture.

Iraq, meanwhile, are facing early elimination after suffering their second defeat of the tournament, following a 4-1 loss to Norway in their opener.

They have now lost all five matches they have played across two World Cup appearances, 40 years apart.