France comfortably defeated Iraq in the second round of Group I at the 2026 World Cup. The match at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia ended with a score of 3-0. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.
The hero of the match was Kylian Mbappé, who scored a brace. Another goal for the French was scored by Ousmane Dembélé.
**Match details:** - Group I, Round 2, June 22, Philadelphia, Lincoln Financial Field - Goals: Mbappé 14' (1-0), Dembélé 74' (2-0), Mbappé 88' (3-0)
The French took the lead in the 14th minute. Michael Olise passed to Kylian Mbappé, and the France captain fired a powerful shot from outside the penalty area into the net.
The end of the first half was played under heavy rain, and after the break, organizers were forced to suspend the match due to a thunderstorm near the stadium. According to the tournament's safety protocol, the game cannot continue if there is a threat of lightning strikes near the arena.
Initially, the start of the second half was postponed by 15 minutes, but the pause was extended several times. Eventually, the teams returned to the field almost two hours after the end of the first half.
After the resumption, the French maintained control of the match and continued to create dangerous chances. In the 74th minute, Ousmane Dembélé doubled the lead, and in the 88th minute, Mbappé scored his second to make it 3-0.
For the French captain, this match was a milestone — his 100th for the national team. The goals brought his tally for the national team to 60. Additionally, Mbappé has now scored 16 goals in 16 World Cup matches.
After two rounds, France has six points and has secured an early spot in the World Cup playoffs. Iraq remains with three points and will continue to fight for a place in the next stage in the final round of the group stage.