France striker Kylian Mbappe scored one goal and set up the other when the host came from behind on Tuesday to claim a happy 2-1 victory against Iceland, resulting in his perfect start in FIFA World Cup 2026 qualification group D. maintained D.
The result left Didier Deschamps’s at the top of the rankings with six points from two games, three free from Iceland. Ukraine and Azerbaijan each have one point after signing 1-1 earlier on Tuesday.
The Icelandic Andri Lucas Gudjohnsen thought he had taken a dramatic equalizer two minutes after time when he bundled the ball over the line, but ranged the goal after repetitions showed that he had pulled the Ibrahima Konate shirt.
Gudjohnsen had previously punished a Michael Olise error to make Iceland forward, only for Mbappe to be the same with a penalty to level the score during the break, before he was just past the timepiece winner.
France played the last 20 minutes with 10 men after Aurelien Tchouameni was sent for a reckless challenge, but it held to extend a 32-year-old run in which only Spain has defeated it in a world cup qualification.
«It was difficult during the entire game. We managed to score and that is the most important collection meals of tonight,» said Barcola.
«After the break we tried to play faster to remember them. We played our two most important rivals in the group; it was important to win,» he added.
Read also | England hits Serbia 5-0 to end at the FIFA World Cup 2026 spot
Deschamps said that Captain Mbappe was «in a good headspace».
«He makes a lot of effort, offers solutions and is effective. He is a very good leader for the whole group,» said Deschamps.
The lack of Paris St Germain Voorwaarts Ousmane Dembele and desirable Doue due to injury, France hit the back of the 17th minute when Olise’s Back Pass was intercepted by Gudjohnsen, who stuck the ball past Mike Maignan.
The host reacted when Marcus Thuram and Manu Kone forced an excellent double rescue from Elias Rafn Olafsson and Barcola Vollei sign, before Thuram was stumbled in the area and Mbappe was buried the resulting penalty on the battle of socket.
After the break, Olise rattled the bar before Mbappe led a quick counterattack and squared for Barcola to tap home in the 62nd minute.
Mbappe added almost a third, but was refused by Olafsson, and although Gudjohnsen thought he had again hit death, the VAR review ensured that France appeared with maximum points.
France is then to Azerbaijan at home on October 10 and Iceland away three days later.
Published on September 10, 2025
