Kylian Mbappe scored twice and Ousmane Dembele had a goal and an assist as France put pressure on their fellow Group I frontrunners with a 3-0 win over Iraq on Monday.
Les Bleus weren’t really tested by the Lions of Mesopotamia as much as they were the weather, as storms delayed the second half.
France had beaten Senegal 3-1 in their first match while Norway smashed Iraq 4-1 to take a one-goal advantage on their UEFA rivals, but France’s three-goal win over Iraq thickens the plot should Norway beat Senegal later Monday.
The Lions of Mesopotamia have only one more chance to earn their first World Cup point (or three) after going 0-0-3 at the 1986 tournament in Mexico.
France vs Iraq final score: 3-0
Kylian Mbappe 15', 54'; Dembele 66'
What’s next?
The final group match day comes Friday when France meets Norway and Senegal tangle with Iraq in 3pm ET kickoffs.
The group will have to wait but France are onto the Round of 32 with this win.
Iraq vs Senegal as it stands could also be huge for third place, as Norway have an early 1-0 lead on their CAF foes Monday.
The Ballon d’Or winner adds a goal to his assist.
¡EL BALÓN DE ORO APARECIÓ! ¡GOL DE FRANCIA! ¡GOL DE DEMBÉLÉ!
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) June 23, 2026
Ousmane define con un tremendo derechazo dentro del área, ¡Ya golean 3-0 a Irak! pic.twitter.com/lHJjlwcz6O
An absolute gift to Ousmane Dembele, who regifts to Mbappe.
¡¡¡DOBLETE DE KYLIAN MBAPPÉ!!! ¡¡¡16 GOLES PARA EL FRANCÉS!!!
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) June 23, 2026
La selección de Francia aprovecha un error defensivo de Irak y ‘Donatello’ la manda a guardar. pic.twitter.com/0Iq8xkOyEm
We’re finally back on the field, and France are almost immediately back on the front foot.
Iraq can feel happy with the score, for sure, but there’s little sign of a comeback.
It’s pouring, which could level the playing field a little, but the French have seven shot attempts and 20 touches in the Iraqi box.
Iraq have two shots and four touches in the French box.
Iraq’s “hatchet man” and top finisher, Aymen Hussein, sees his day done way earlier than expected thanks to an injury.
Luton Town’s Ali Al Hamadi takes his place and will hope to become a hero by helping the Lions of Mesopotamia onto level terms.
Make it 15 goals in 16 World Cup appearances for Kylian Mbappe, who tries a 1-2 with Michael Olise.
It doesn’t come off... or does it? Olise takes the ball back and finds Mbappe again, whose shot can only be diverted by the keeper’s glove into a different part of the goal.
1-0, 15'.
Starting XI: Fadhil, Doski, Hashem, Tahseen, Ali, Ismael, Al-Ammari, Qasem, Iqbal, Bayesh, Hussein
Starting XI: Maignan, Digne, Saliba, Upamecano, Rabiot, Kone, Barcola, Dembele, Olise, Mbappe
Four changes for Didier Deschamps, as Desire Doue, Aurelien Tchouameni, Theo Hernandez, and Jules Kounde exit the team.
Kick off time: 5pm ET Monday, June 22
Venue: Philadelphia Stadium
TV Channel: Telemundo
Streaming: Stream live on Peacock, en Espanol
