France Advances to Knockout Round With 3–0 Win Over Iraq

France secured its spot beyond the World Cup group stage as Kylian Mbappé led “Les Bleus” to a wet 3-0 victory over Iraq on a rainy June 22 in Philadelphia.

The seasoned captain found the back of the net twice in the 90-minute game. The first came 14 minutes in, giving his team a 1-0 lead that would stand through the end of the first half.

It was Mbappé’s 100th international appearance and 59th goal in a French uniform—known in soccer circles as a “kit”—and his 15th goal in a World Cup match (his 16th), putting him tied for third-most in World Cup history.

But France’s momentum was brought to a halt as the half-time break was extended by the first weather delay of the tournament. Torrential rain continued to build momentum through the last 15 minutes of the first half. Stadium officials told fans to exit the open seating area and seek shelter as a severe thunderstorm approached.

The first half was complete, but it took two hours for the thunderstorms to pass over the field and clear the area, then for groundskeepers to clear enough standing water to make the field playable. There were still significant amounts of standing water when match officials finally gave the green light to resume the match just after 8 p.m. ET.

Those conditions did not stop Mbappé from finding the back of the net again, capitalizing on an Iraqi defender’s botched pass to his goalkeeper, Ahmed Basil, to make it 2-0 in the 54th minute. He ended the match tied for second-most goals scored in World Cup play, matching Argentina’s Lionel Messi for earned goals on the day. But Messi still has one more goal thus far this tournament, and retains the record for most goals scored in World Cup play by two goals.

Mbappé was not France’s only goal scorer against Iraq. Ousmane Dembele launched the ball past Basil in the 66th minute to give Les Bleus a 3-0 lead.

Iraq rallied to get some chances to attack the French goal, getting a total of four shots off, but the French defenders and goalkeeper Mike Maignan would stand firm and complete France’s first clean sheet of the tournament.

France became the fifth team to lock in one of the 32 spots in the knockout round, following Mexico, the United States, Germany, and Argentina. But whether or not Les Bleus will win their group remains to be seen.

Their competition, Norway, reached half-time in their match against Senegal as the match with Iraq hit full-time. Norway held a 1-0 lead at the half, and if that lead is held, Norway and France would be tied in points.

France and Mbappé will face Norway and its rising star, Erling Haaland, in the final group stage game in Boston at 3 p.m. on June 26.