France vs Iraq, FIFA World Cup Match Result: Les Bleus win 3-0 as Mbappé scores a brace in 100th cap and Dembele scores first World Cup goal | Football News:
France secured their place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 knockout rounds with a 3-0 win over Iraq in Philadelphia, as Kylian Mbappé marked his 100th international appearance with a brace and claimed the Superior Player of the Match trophy in a match interrupted by a 130-minute time delay due to severe storms and lightning at half-time.France booked their place in the Round of 32 with a comfortable 3-0 win over Iraq in Group I, overcoming a lengthy thunderstorm suspension that turned a routine night into one of the most unusual matches of the tournament so far.
French fans react after a time delay during the World Cup Group I soccer match between France and Iraq in Philadelphia, Monday, June 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
At the Philadelphia Stadium, Kylian Mbappe scored either side of the 130-minute stoppage time before Ousmane Dembele added a third as Didier Deschamps’ side continued their perfect start to the competition. The result moves France to six points from two games and guarantees qualification for the knockout stage, while Iraq remain bottom of the group and face a must-win final fixture against Senegal to keep their hopes alive.The match will also be remembered as the first weather-related suspension of the 2026 World Cup after dangerous lightning in Philadelphia forced players, officials and supporters to seek shelter during a long half-time interval.
Mbappe struck first as France took control
France arrived in Philadelphia knowing that victory would ensure their progress and they quickly controlled an Iraqi side content to defend deep and absorb the pressure.Their breakthrough came in the 14th minute through the player who always delivers in the biggest stages. Michael Olise collected possession in a central attacking area before slotting a precise pass towards Mbappe on the left flank. The France captain sped towards goal, moved inside his defender and unleashed a powerful curling effort from around 20 yards that flew past Ahmed Basil and into the near post.
France’s Kylian Mbappe (10) celebrates after scoring his team’s first goal during the World Cup Group I soccer match between France and Iraq in Philadelphia, Monday, June 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
The goal continued a remarkable night for the 27-year-old, who made his 100th appearance for France and went into the game carrying huge momentum after his brace against Senegal in the first group game.France continued to dominate possession and territory for the remainder of the first half. Iraq struggled to establish sustained attacks and failed to register a shot on target as Deschamps’ side controlled the tempo through patient possession and quick ball circulation.
Storm stopped the game for more than two hours
When the opening half ended, the severe weather that swept through Philadelphia changed the course of the night significantly.The heavy rain that continued for most of the match intensified and lightning strikes around the stadium triggered severe FIFA weather protocols. Officials ordered both teams off the field while supporters were ordered to move to sheltered areas inside the venue.
Fans react after a time delay during the World Cup Group I soccer match between France and Iraq in Philadelphia, Monday, June 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Under tournament regulations, play cannot resume until there has been an extended period of time without sightings of lightning within an eight-mile radius of the stadium. The storm’s continued activity repeatedly reset the countdown clock, resulting in a dramatic 130-minute delay.The second half finally started at 8:00 pm local time, more than two hours after the players originally left the pitch.
France picked up where they left off
Any worries that the long stop might disrupt France’s rhythm disappeared soon after the start.Just nine minutes into the second half, Dembele drove forward and exploited uncertainty within the Iraqi defense before delivering a low ball into the six-yard box. Mbappe was the first to react, arriving centrally to poke the finish into the bottom corner for his second goal of the night and France’s second of the night.
France’s Kylian Mbappe (10) celebrates after scoring his team’s second goal during the World Cup Group I soccer match between France and Iraq in Philadelphia, Monday, June 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
The strike further enhanced a historic occasion for the France captain. His first-half opener took him to 15 World Cup goals, while his second moved him to 16 for his World Cup career.France’s third goal came in the 66th minute through Dembele, capping off an excellent individual display with his first goal at a major international tournament. Once again Olise was involved, releasing the winger into space on the right. Dembele outpaced two defenders with a sharp change of direction before driving a powerful finish into the bottom corner beyond Basil.
Ousmane Dembele (7) of France congratulates his teammate Kylian Mbappe (10) after he scored their second goal during the World Cup Group I soccer match between France and Iraq in Philadelphia, Monday, June 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
At 3-0, the contest was effectively settled.
France dominated the numbers and the group
The final statistics showed France in control throughout the night. Les Bleus finished with 56 percent possession, registered 19 shots compared to Iraq’s four and limited Graham Arnold’s side to zero effort on target. France completed passes with an impressive 91 percent accuracy while Iraq finished with an 86 percent completion rate despite spending long periods without the ball.France also won four corners to two in Iraq and constantly forced the Lions of Mesopotamia into a reactive defensive shape.The win took France to the top of Group I with six points from two games and confirmed their place in the knockout rounds with one game to spare. Attention is now on a much-anticipated meeting with Norway that will likely determine who finishes first in the group.For Iraq, the challenge has become more difficult. With two defeats from two games, they remain at the bottom of the standings and need a win against Senegal in their last group fixture to retain any realistic hope of extending their journey to the World Cup.For France, on the other hand, qualification was secured and another milestone night belonged to Mbappe, whose 100th appearance for Les Bleus ended with two goals, three points and a place in the knockout stages.
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