Mbappé equals Klose’s record, France reach World Cup knockout stages

France booked their place in the FIFA World Cup Round of 32 with an emphatic 3-0 victory over Iraq in Philadelphia, as captain Kylian Mbappé once again stole the headlines with a brilliant brace.

Despite a weather delay that interrupted the match for more than two hours, Didier Deschamps’ side maintained their composure and quality to secure a second consecutive win in Group I.

Mbappé opened the scoring in the 14th minute with a spectacular left-footed strike from outside the penalty area after being set up by Michael Olise.

The Real Madrid superstar doubled France’s advantage shortly after the restart, capitalizing on a costly defensive error from Iraq before Ousmane Dembélé completed the scoring in the 66th minute with his first-ever goal at a major international tournament.

The victory further underlined France’s status as one of football’s global powerhouses.

Les Bleus are two-time FIFA World Cup champions, having lifted the trophy in 1998 on home soil and again in 2018 in Russia.

They have also won two UEFA European Championships (1984 and 2000), the UEFA Nations League in 2021, and two FIFA Confederations Cups.

France currently represents UEFA, the strongest confederation in international football based on World Cup success.

Iraq, representing the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), appeared at their second FIFA World Cup after their historic debut in 1986.

While the Lions of Mesopotamia have never advanced beyond the group stage, they remain one of Asia’s respected football nations, highlighted by their unforgettable triumph at the 2007 AFC Asian Cup.

Their appearance in the 2026 tournament marked a return to the world stage after a 40-year absence.

France are coached by the experienced Didier Deschamps, one of football’s most decorated figures.

Deschamps captained France to the 1998 World Cup title and later guided the national team to World Cup glory as manager in 2018, becoming only the third man in history to win the tournament as both player and coach.

Iraq are led by Australian coach Graham Arnold, who previously guided Australia to the knockout stage of the 2022 FIFA World Cup and is regarded as one of the most successful coaches in Australian football history.

Mbappé’s double against Iraq carried historic significance.

His tally reached 16 FIFA World Cup goals, drawing level with German legend Miroslav Klose’s total and moving him within touching distance of the all-time record.

Since making his World Cup debut in 2018, Mbappé has scored against Argentina, Peru, Australia, Denmark, Poland, Croatia, Senegal and Iraq, establishing himself as one of the greatest World Cup performers of his generation.

With France already through to the knockout rounds and Mbappé continuing his pursuit of World Cup history, Les Bleus appear firmly on course for another deep run in the tournament.

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