Kylian Mbappé netted a stunning strike inside 20 minutes to give France a 1-0 lead against Iraq in their FIFA World Cup 2026 group stage match.
The goal came after Mbappé collected the ball on the edge of the box, shifted it onto his left foot and rifled it into the far corner. France had already threatened in the opening minute when the forward was inches away from a tap-in.
The match took place in Philadelphia with kickoff at 10pm UK time on 22 June. France entered the fixture on the back of a 3-1 opening win over Senegal, while Iraq had lost 4-1 to Norway.
Didier Deschamps fielded Maignan, Digne, Upamecano, Kounde, Saliba, Kone, Rabiot, Dembele, Mbappé, Olise and Barcola. Iraq lined up with Basil, Ali, Tahseen, Hashim, Doski, Bayesh, Iqbal, Alammari, Ismael, Qasem and Hussein.
Earlier the same day Lionel Messi became the outright top World Cup goalscorer with two goals in Argentina’s win over Austria, leaving Mbappé four behind before his strike reduced the gap.
