France cruise past Iraq with Kylian Mbappé on target after first thunderstorm delay at FIFA World Cup

Tuesday, 23 June 2026

Kylian Mbappé of France scored two goals to reach 16 for his World Cup career, moving into a tie for second most in tournament history as he tries to keep pace with new record holder Lionel Messi on Tuesday (NZ time).

Playing in his third World Cup, the 27-year-old Mbappé scored in the 14th minute against Iraq, giving Les Bleus a 1-0 lead in his 100th international game. After a weather delay that extended the halft-ime break to more than two hours, Mbappé found the net again in the 54th minute to move into a tie with Miroslav Klose of Germany, who had the goals record before this high-scoring World Cup began.

Messi scored twice for Argentina on Tuesday (NZ time) to set the tournament record at 18. He had equalled Klose with his first World Cup hat-trick in Argentina’s 3-0 win over Algeria last week in Kansas City, Missouri.

Ousmane Dembélé and Kylian Mbappé celebrating against Iraq.

Mbappé scored with a left-footed strike from about 20 yards out that got past Iraq goalkeeper Ahmed Basil, who got his first start in the tournament after captain Jalal Hassan allowed all four goals in Iraq’s 4-1 loss to Norway.

For his second goal, Mbappé took advantage of a poor pass to the goalkeeper by Iraq defender Zaid Tahseen. France's Ousmane Dembélé controlled the loose ball and passed to Mbappé, who tapped it in with his right foot.

The Real Madrid forward had a chance at the hat-trick on a late breakaway, but missed before he was subbed out at the 90-minute mark.

Adverse delayed the match for more than two hours in Philadelphia.

Mbappé helped France win the World Cup in 2018 and reach the final in 2022, when he was awarded the Silver Ball as the second-best player. Joined up front by Désiré Doué and reigning Ballon d’Or winner Dembélé, France entered this year's tournament as co-favourites with Spain.

Mbappé, one of two men to have a hat-trick in a World Cup final, scored his 13th and 14th World Cup goals in France’s 3-1 tournament-opening victory over Senegal. He now has 59 international goals, two more than Oliver Giroud for the most in France's rich history.

His World Cup goals include four this year; eight in 2022, when he won the Golden Boot as the top scorer; and four in 2018.

For full World Cup coverage, go to our World Cup section.

HOW THE MATCH UNFOLDED