Mbappe scores on his 100th cap as France sweep aside Iraq after storm delay

Kylian Mbappe celebrated his 100th international cap in emphatic fashion as France defeated Iraq 3-0 at Philadelphia Stadium, booking their spot in the last 32 of the 2026 World Cup despite a two-hour delay caused by a thunderstorm that halted proceedings between halves.

Mbappe, who had already become France’s all-time leading scorer with a brace against Senegal, wasted little time making his mark. Receiving the ball just outside the area, he was afforded far too much space by the Iraqi defence and needed no second invitation to rifle a ferocious strike into the far corner past a helpless Ahmed Basil. It was the only goal of the first half, and it was made to look almost effortless.

The performance arrived just hours after Lionel Messi had broken the all-time World Cup scoring record for Argentina against Algeria — a fact that added a layer of theatre to Mbappe’s evening in Philadelphia. When asked in the build-up to the match who was the best player among himself, Messi, Harry Kane and Erling Haaland, Mbappe was unequivocal. “Messi, it’s clear,” he said. “For me, it’s not a question in my head.” Those watching in Philadelphia could be forgiven for seeing the contest rather differently.

Haaland and Kane had each scored braces in their respective opening games of the tournament, joining Mbappe in that tally from the Senegal match. Only Messi, with a hat-trick against Algeria followed by a brace against Austria, had gone further — and Mbappe’s display against Iraq suggested the gap between the two may be narrowing with every game.

Early combinations between Mbappe, Michael Olise and Ousmane Dembele underlined the remarkable attacking depth available to France, and while the final ball eluded them in the opening exchanges, the intent was unmistakable. Mbappe was scythed down cynically by Amir Al Ammari early on — perhaps the only reliable method of containing him — but he continued to pull the strings throughout.

The thunderstorm that descended on Philadelphia forced a lengthy suspension to the match, but France resumed with the same authority they had shown before the delay, eventually running out comfortable 3-0 winners to advance from the group stage with games to spare.