FIFA World Cup 2026 LIVE 1m ago Advertisement live Updated 9s ago France lead Iraq 1-0 at the 2026 World Cup. Kylian Mbappe opened the scoring with a vicious left-footed drive from outside the box. It is his third goal of the tournament. Mbappe, 27, has now scored 15 World Cup goals, meaning he is three short of the new all-time record of 18 set by Lionel Messi earlier on Monday. Graham Arnold….the (head) honcho in the poncho? From the second this match started, Kylian Mbappe looked like a man on a mission. Earlier in the day, Lionel Messi became the record goalscorer at World Cups but Mbappe is now just three goals behind the Argentine great after a stunning left-footed strike broke the deadlock here after 14 minutes, on his 100th France appearance. It seems hard to believe he is still only 27 and he will surely end up with the record at some point, even if he fails to overtake Messi at this World Cup. Announcement on the tannoy instructing fans to leave the stands because of a severe weather warning. France 1-0 Iraq The rain slowed proceedings later in the half, but France looked comfortable and have the lead thanks to Kylian Mbappe. For Iraq, they will be happy that they are losing by just one goal heading into the break. Kylian! After the referee let two meaty challenges go without a whistle, one for each side, the ball broke to Mbappe on the edge of the centre circle. Without looking up, he smashed a right-footed half-volley towards the goal. With Iraq keeper Ahmed Basil stranded on the penalty spot, the ball sailed over by a yard or two. A minute later, he is in on goal again, and just about to pull the trigger, only for an Iraqi defender to poke it away with his toe. 45' France 1-0 Iraq Iraq manager Graham Arnold considered putting a poncho on, but thought better of it. Four added minutes to be played in the Philadelphia rain. Iraq manager Graham Arnold put the rain poncho on, then immediately discarded it 😂 pic.twitter.com/ywWUroA6BL 41' France 1-0 Iraq Mbappe almost had his second there as he broke into the box off a brilliant turn, but the ball was taken off his foot at the final second by the Iraq right back Ali. 40' France 1-0 Iraq The rain is getting heavier now as Mbappe takes a speculative effort from near the halfway line. He is clearly in the mood this evening. 40' France 1-0 Iraq The French centre-backs, Saliba and Upamecano, are sitting well inside the Iraq half at the moment. France very comfortable. 38' France 1-0 Iraq Not sure Barcola should have held on to the ball there. Olise was clean through down the middle if he could have found him. It's poncho time in Philly! 36' France 1-0 Iraq Iraq have done well to keep this game to 1 goal, they have slowed France down a bit. The rain is starting to fall now. The percentage play would always be to let players shoot from outside the penalty area on their weaker foot, unless that player is Mbappe. He has made a brilliant start to this World Cup, a tournament that he has already enjoyed so much success in. Iraq would be wise not to allow the Frenchman that much space in the remaining hour of this match. 34' France 1-0 Iraq I counted eight outfield Iraq players back in their own penalty area to defend a Digne cross just then. France are piling the pressure on them. 32' France 1-0 Iraq Another Mbappe effort is blocked on the edge of the box. they can't keep letting him shoot. 30' France 1-0 Iraq Unfortunately the corner is hit far too deep by Al Amaari… 29' France 1-0 Iraq Iraq already much better since the hydration break as they force a corner off Digne down the right. 27' France 1-0 Iraq First half chance for Iraq. The ball is swung in from the left by Doski and the new man Al-Hamadi gets his head to it. But the ball bobbles wide. At present, The Athletic projects France's most likely last 32 opponents to be Sweden (50 per cent chance), Japan (20 per cent), or Ivory Coast (15 per cent). Either way, finishing top of group sets France on course to play Germany,
Fuente: NYT — Ver nota original
