Report, result and goals as Mbappe scores two more during World Cup clash
France made it six points from six in Group I in a marred World Cup where a two-hour storm delay, a stubborn Iraqi team and a waterlogged pitch all combined to make life more difficult than Didier Deschamps would have liked.
Kylian Mbappe scored twice to equal Miroslav Klose’s all-time World Cup tally of 16, before Ousmane Dembele finally broke his major tournament duck on his 20th appearance at that level to seal it.
An Mbappe stunner breaks the deadlock before the storm stops play
France won the first game and took a 14 minute lead with a goal. Michael Olise, building an impressive record of five goal involvements in his last three internationals, fed Mbappe from the right, and the Real Madrid forward hit a ferocious left-footed drive past goalkeeper Ahmed Basil.
A stunning goal and 15th in the World Cup, making him only the fourth player in history to reach that milestone after Messi, Klose and Ronaldo.
Iraq refused to collapse. Ali Al Hamadi, introduced in the morning after Ayman Hussein limped off with a groin problem, provided a real point forward and headed wide from Doski’s volley in the 28th minute.
The heavens opened. Thunder, lightning and driving rain forced both sets of players off the field at half-time, with fans being brought inside for safety as ground crews scrambled to clear the disused field.
After a delay of almost two hours, the game resumed with heavy traffic which made the liquid football very difficult.
Iraq’s mistakes gave France two goals after the restart
Iraq started the second half well on a pitch that suited the underdogs, winning the midfield battles and starting to find ways in the French press. But two costly mistakes ended the contest as a contest within twelve minutes.
In the 54th minute, a short goal was played straight at the feet of the French player at the top of the pitch. Dembele found it and unselfishly squared for Mbappe to pull into an empty net from close range.
Twelve minutes later, Dembele got his own reward. Olise slipped a right-footed striker past the right-hander and fired a powerful low shot past Basil into the bottom left-hand corner – his first goal at a World Cup or European Championship after 20 appearances at major tournaments.
France reaches the finish line
With the tie settled, Deschamps made big changes, with Cherki, Doue, Gusto and Akliouche all getting their first taste of World Cup football, as France cruised through the closing stages. Iraq continued to push forward, and Al Hamadi came agonizingly close to a consolation in the 76th minute, clearing the area from close range with Maignan caught up.
Mbappe had one minute of note, flaming out in the 90th minute when he was clean, before being sent back to a warm man with a job done.
