Graham Arnold Praises “Devastating” Kylian Mbappe Display

Arnold backs Iraq after French loss

With Haaland and Mbappe both finding the net in consecutive games against Iraq, Arnold sees an intriguing battle brewing. Now all focus shifts to Friday’s Senegal decider.

Arnold praises Iraq first half despite Mbappe opener, weather delay. Haaland and Mbappe both score vs Iraq as Arnold eyes Senegal clash...

 

Iraq suffered another lesson from a world-class striker Monday, but coach Graham Arnold says their tournament hopes are still alive despite the 3-0 loss to France.

Kylian Mbappe scored twice in the Group I match that was held up over 2 hours by bad weather. It’s the second game in a row Iraq have shipped two goals to one of football’s top forwards.

Norway’s Erling Haaland also scored twice in Iraq’s opener, a 4-1 win for the Norwegians.

But Arnold isn’t looking back. The Australian coach is focused on Friday’s final group game vs Senegal, where Iraq’s knockout hopes will be decided. “For me now, it's all about Senegal,” Arnold said. “With... eight third-placed teams going through. You know, we've still got a chance.”

Arnold praised Iraq’s first-half display even after Mbappe opened the scoring with a long-range strike. But he said the 2-hour weather delay broke their momentum.

Iraq gifted France their second goal right after play resumed, when a bad goal kick handed possession away cheaply.

“Well, you know, there's nothing I could do except I showed probably a little bit longer footage of the first half ‌at halftime to show them where France was obviously hurting us a little bit,” Arnold explained.

“But it was more the players just had to sit and relax and keep relaxed and then get themselves obviously ready when we went back out there.”

Arnold had nothing but praise for Mbappe, calling the forward’s performance devastating.

“He's an incredible player,” Arnold said. “His speed is unstoppable. And that's why we defended a ‌little bit deeper than I always do because if you leave space in behind and Mbappe's that quick, ‌then he'll destroy you.”

Seeing Haaland and Mbappe both score against Iraq in back-to-back matches, Arnold thinks an interesting fight is shaping up.

“Haaland is scoring goals, and Messi's obviously scoring goals, and Mbappe. So it's going ⁠to be a very good ⁠competition between those three ‌for the leading goal scorer.”