Philadelphia, United States – Web Desk:
France booked their place in the knockout stage of the FIFA World Cup 2026 after a dominant 3-0 victory over Iraq in their Group I match at Philadelphia Stadium, with Kylian Mbappé scoring twice in a commanding performance.
The French side controlled much of the contest, taking an early lead in the 14th minute when Mbappé capitalized on a scoring opportunity to put his team ahead.
Iraq attempted to respond with attacking pressure but struggled to break through France’s solid defensive line and failed to convert their chances.
The match was interrupted by heavy rain during the first half, and conditions worsened at halftime. Due to the adverse weather, the second half was delayed by approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes.
Once play resumed, Mbappé struck again in the 54th minute, scoring his second goal of the match. The goal marked his 16th World Cup goal overall, bringing him level with Germany’s Miroslav Klose on the all-time scoring list.
France extended their lead further in the 66th minute when Ousmane Dembélé added the third goal, sealing a comfortable victory.
With the win, France not only secured three points but also confirmed their qualification for the knockout stage of the tournament.
