Mbappe’s Brace Helps France Defeat Iraq after Lengthy Thunderstorm Delay

By Daniel Feuerstein | Philadelphia, PA | June 22nd, 2026

While Lionel Messi broke the record for most World Cup goals being scored earlier in the day, Kylian Mbappe isn’t trailing too far behind him as France faced Iraq in their next group stage match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. It was another destruction over a national team that is performing in their first World Cup Finals, and once again, a top team found ways to take them down. Even with a lengthy thunderstorm delay during halftime of the match. But once it ended, both sides resumed play, and France took care of business as they defeated Iraq by the final score of three goals to nil.

Mbappe scores two goals and catches up to Messi

Kylian Mbappe was once again roaming around for France, hunting goals and putting them into the back of the net whenever he wanted to. He has been one of the best attacking and scoring players for France since Thierry Henry and Zinedine Zidane. He always shows no mercy, regardless of who he’s playing against for club or country. His first goal was a screamer when they played the ball along the near side. Mbappe passed the ball toward Michael Olise, but it was blocked by the defender, yet was grabbed by Olise and made the pass back to Mbappe, who was just three yards outside the area, and ripped a big shot inside the far post in the 14th minute.

The second goal came from an unforced error by the Iraqi defender. Zaid Tahseen was ready to restart the match with the ball inside his own area. He intended to pass it back to his goalkeeper, Ahmed Basil, and when he did, Basil wasn’t paying attention, lost the ball, and Ousmane Dembele pounced on the free chance. He quickly passed the ball to Mbappe, and he scored on the open net and converted in the 54th minute. Basil had the look of disbelief at what just happened as his own defender wasn’t communicating with him for the restart.

The last goal of the match by Dembele

France wanted to end this contest with one more goal and got it just a few minutes after the hour mark. They held possession in the middle of the park, then started to go forward. Olise got the ball and started to move towards the area. He quickly made the pass to his right and found Dembele. He went inside the area and ripped a shot, beating Basil to the ball, and in the back of the net in the 66th minute to make it three, and France would coast all the way to the final whistle of the match.

France has qualified for the Knockouts

Right now, both France and Norway have qualified for the knockouts, as both teams will enter the Round of 32. Both teams will face each other in their final Group Stage match to see who will win the group. Currently, Norway has scored seven goals, while France has scored six. Both Teams have six points and are on the same goal differential with a +5. That matchup should be a fun one, and we will see who will take the top of the mountain in Group I.

France takes out Iraq as Kylian Mbappe’s two goals helped get the win, along with a lengthy thunderstorm delay during halftime.

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