France crushed Iraq at the 2026 World Cup thanks to Mbappé's two goals
The French national team secured its second victory at the 2026 World Cup, defeating Iraq 3–0. Kylian Mbappé scored twice and helped “Les Bleus” solidify their position in the group.
Early in the match, the French quickly took control of the ball and opened the scoring in the 14th minute. After a rebound in the area just outside the penalty box, Michael Olise passed to Kylian Mbappé, who left the Iraqi goalkeeper with no chance with a precise shot into the far corner. Until halftime, Didier Deschamps’s team held the upper hand, while their opponents managed only a few half-chances and lost Ayman Hussein to injury; he was replaced by Ali Al-Hamadi.
After the first half ended, the match was suspended due to adverse weather conditions. A heavy downpour swept over the stadium, and organizers postponed the start of the second half due to the risk of a thunderstorm.
Once play resumed, France quickly doubled its lead. In the 54th minute, a mistake by defender Zaid Tahsin and a miscommunication with the goalkeeper allowed Ousmane Dembélé to intercept the ball and set up an attack that led to Mbappé scoring into an empty net. Shortly afterward, the French nearly scored a third goal, but Olise, after receiving a pass from Mbappé, chipped the goalkeeper and hit the crossbar.
However, France wasn’t satisfied with just two goals, and Deschamps’ team scored their third in the 66th minute. During one play, Olise sent Dembélé into a scoring position with a brilliant pass, and Dembélé coolly slotted the ball into the far bottom corner, putting the game beyond doubt. The Iraqis tried to respond, but Al-Hamadi squandered their best chance, shooting wide of the goal after a cross.
In the closing minutes, the French calmly controlled the flow of the game, and Mbappé came close to a hat trick but missed the near corner after a solo run. As a result, France secured its second consecutive victory in the tournament and clinched a spot in the World Cup playoffs ahead of schedule, while Iraq will need a win against Senegal by a wide margin to advance.
As a reminder, the Ukrainian Football Association has decided not to renew the contract of Unai Melgosa, head coach of Ukraine’s U-21 national team. The Spanish coach’s contract is set to expire in the summer of 2026.
The 2026 World Cup group stage match between France and Iraq was in danger of being canceled due to adverse weather conditions in Philadelphia.
At the 2026 FIFA World Cup, being held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the second round of group stage matches took place.
