World Cup: France secure knockout place with win over Iraq
France continued their bright start to the 2026 World Cup with their second win in as many matches, beating Iraq x-x in Phialdelphia. Catch up on how Les Bleus' Ligue 1 McDonald's contingent got on with our match recap.
Mbappé quick off the mark
Just hours after Lionel Messi became the World Cup's all time scorer by hitting a brace against Austria in Argentina's 2-0 win, former Paris Saint-Germain and AS Monaco striker Kylian Mbappé responded in kind in France's win over Iraq. In a Group I match played in Philadelphia, Les Bleus did everything necessary to stay on top of their group, securing qualification with their second win in as many attempts. Manager Didier Deschamps made several changes, bringing in Paris Saint-Germain's Bradley Barcola for his club teammate Désiré Doue on the left, with Manu Koné and Lucas Digne replacing Aurélien Tchouameni and Théo Hernandez respectively.
The match opened under the threat of heavy weather (and was indeed delayed at halftime due to an electrical storm), but Mbappé, making his 100th appearance for his country, scarcely needed an invitation to open the scoring. With Iraq lending a physical cast to the match's early stages, he played a lovely exchange with Michael Olise (14'), curling an effort in at the far post after the Iraqis had missed a tackle. Iraq responded gamely to going behind, but were unable to really test former LOSC 'keeper Mike Maignan, allowing France to hold the lead at the break.
France qualifies to the World Cup knockout stage! 🇫🇷⚽️ pic.twitter.com/rUseh0I5zv
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) June 23, 2026
Dembélé breaks his duck
After a lengthy delay of two hours, the match started again in earnest, with Iraq showing plenty of verve, but a mix-up at the back from Graham Arnold's side saw Ousmane Dembélé easily set up (54') Mbappé for his sixtieth goal for his country. Just three minutes later, France would threaten again, but Olise's effort from range spooned off the crossbar (58'). Midway through the half, it would be Dembélé's turn to go from provider to scorer, netting for the first time in a major tournament as he lashed the ball into the bottom corner on 66 minutes after a clever through ball by Olise.
Save a penalty shout for a foul on Mbappé with fifteen minutes to play, however, that was that for the match in terms of big chances. With the win, France now have six points from two matches, and with their progress to the Round of 32 assured will look to seal top spot on Friday against Norway in Boston.
