Mbappé and Dembele strike in France’s 3-0 win over Iraq in the 2026 FIFA World Cup – Player ratings FRA vs IRQ

Kylian Mbappe scored his second double of the tournament as France reached the last 32 on Monday with a 3-0 win over Iraq in the first match of this World Cup, battered by a lengthy weather break.

Mbappe’s goals were almost three hours apart after thunderstorms in the region delayed the second-half kick-off by just under two hours.

The goals took him to 16 all-time World Cup goals, tying him with Germany’s former record holder Miroslav Klose. Earlier on Monday, Lionel Messi set a new benchmark of 18 World Cup goals with a brace in Argentina’s 2-0 win over Austria.

Mbappe’s four goals also put him one behind Messi in the 2026 World Cup Golden Boot race.

Reigning Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele also scored for two-time champions France after the break.

France dominated the early stages and Mbappé capitalized in the 14th minute.

After an innocuous-looking sequence on the right, Mbappé received Michael Olise’s pass, made one touch to the left and, as defenders gave him space, unleashed a powerful strike from the edge of the area that sailed past Ahmed Basil’s dive.

The weather delay could have served as a recovery period for Iraq, who chased the ball for most of the match. Instead, they gifted France and Mbappe a second in the 54th minute after a terrible mistake from a goal kick.

Dembele was the provider for Mbappe’s tap-in. He scored himself twelve minutes later after controlling Olise’s sharp pass and finishing low past Basil.

Because the outcome was never in doubt, the weather provided most of the drama.

After referee Drew Fischer blew his halftime whistle as the storms were already beginning, the skies opened wider and spectators were told to seek shelter in the stadium concourses.

About an hour and forty minutes later, the players finally emerged for warm-ups, and even then the restart was further delayed as stadium staff used wipers to convey standing water from the east side of the field.

Published on June 23, 2026