France 3-0 Iraq: Mbappe Stars as Storm Delays World Cup Clash in Philly
On the day Messi broke WC finals scoring record, Mbappe responded with two goals vs Iraq. France advance from Group I while Iraq face elimination vs Senegal Friday.
Mbappe matches Messi day with brace in France’s 3-0 World Cup Win. “16 Goals in 16 Games,” Mbappe downs Iraq as France advance...
Kylian Mbappe shone in Philadelphia rain as France stormed into the World Cup Round of 32 with a 3-0 win over Iraq in Group I. The game was held up by weather, but Mbappé’s second brace of the tournament sealed a comfortable victory.
The gap in quality was clear from the start. France played with real swagger despite the downpour in the first half, but Iraq stayed compact and disciplined enough to keep Les Bleus to just one goal before the break.
On the same day Lionel Messi set the record for most career goals at the World Cup finals, Mbappé wasn’t about to let him steal the spotlight. It took the Real Madrid forward under 15 minutes to make his mark. Michael Olise laid the ball off to him on the edge of the area, and he drilled a shot past Iraq keeper Ahmed Basil into the top corner.
France didn’t pile on goals right after the opener like many expected, though Mbappé still showed his ambition with a 45-yard attempt that sailed well over. The real floodgates opened off the pitch instead - a heavy thunderstorm hit in the final minutes of the first half, forcing a delay of about two hours before the second half could kick off.
After the storm cleared, Iraq quickly found themselves under pressure again, and it was a self-inflicted mess that gave France their second. From a goal kick, Ahmed Qasem played a weak square pass back to his keeper that went badly astray, letting Ousmane Dembélé cut it back for Mbappé to tap in. That was Mbappé’s 16th World Cup goal in 16 games.
Didier Deschamps’ side stayed in full control for the rest of the match. Michael Olise clipped a delicate chip against the crossbar from the edge of the box, before Ousmane Dembélé finally got the goal he deserved to wrap up the 3-0 win.
In his 19th appearance, the Ballon d’Or winner finally got his first goal at a major international tournament, capping Olise’s great work by smashing a low shot into the corner from a tight angle. France are through to the knockouts, while Iraq now have to beat Senegal on Friday if they want any hope of extending just their second World Cup campaign ever.
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