“Mbappé matches Klose with two goals in France’s victory over Iraq.”

Kylian Mbappé made history once again by equalling Miroslav Klose with 16 goals in World Cup finals, on a night marked by a torrential downpour, a pitch turned into a lake, and a two-hour interruption that tested the physical and mental limits of the players. France triumphed over Iraq with a 3-0 victory, accumulating six points from two matches in Group I, in a performance filled with unexpected obstacles that nearly derailed Didier Deschamps’ plans.

The match, played under absolutely chaotic conditions, began with clear French dominance. Just 14 minutes in, Michael Olise, increasingly decisive with five goal contributions in the last three international matches, found Mbappé on the right side. The new Real Madrid forward did not miss: he unleashed a powerful left-footed shot, giving Ahmed Basil no chance, opening the scoring and achieving his 15th goal in World Cups—only Messi, Klose, and Ronaldo had reached such a milestone until then.

Iraq, far from resigning to the role of mere spectators, responded with determination. Ali Al Hamadi, brought on early due to Ayman Hussein’s injury, troubled the French defense and came close to equalizing in the 28th minute with a dangerous header following a cross from Doski. The game was wide open when, suddenly, the heavens opened: thunder, lightning, and torrential rain forced a stoppage at halftime. Fans were evacuated from the stands, teams retreated, and a battalion of staff attempted to save a pitch that was becoming increasingly unplayable by the minute.

After nearly two hours of waiting, the challenge resumed on a soaked pitch, turning every pass and every run into a survival exercise. Iraq started well in the second half, taking advantage of the chaos to win duels and disrupt the French build-up. But it took just twelve minutes for the French to kill the game, capitalizing on two glaring mistakes by the Iraqis.

First, in the 54th minute, a poorly executed goal kick resulted in Dembélé recovering the ball, who set up Mbappé for the second of the night. The forward simply tapped it into the back of the net, equalling Klose’s legendary record. Shortly after, in the 66th minute, Michael Olise was decisive again, launching Dembélé clear on the right side. The French winger blasted a cross-shot past Basil, finally celebrating his first goal in major tournaments in his 20th match – a long-awaited milestone.

With the result practically decided, Deschamps refreshed the squad, bringing on Cherki, Doue, Gusto, and Akliouche for their first World Cup experiences. Iraq, despite the disadvantage, did not give up: Al Hamadi threatened again, wasting a clear opportunity in the 76th minute, with Maignan already beaten. On the other side, Mbappé still had time to miss a clear goal in the 90th minute, shooting over when he was one-on-one, before receiving a warm ovation as he was substituted.

In the end, Deschamps acknowledged the difficulties caused by the weather conditions and praised the team’s spirit: “It was a test of our maturity. Playing in these conditions required total concentration and adaptability,” emphasized the French coach, visibly relieved by the positive outcome. Mbappé, for his part, highlighted the importance of the collective: “Records are important, but above all, the team’s victory is what matters. Every goal is the result of everyone’s work,” said the forward after the final whistle.

This victory puts France at the top of Group I, with a place in the next stage practically assured, while Iraq sees its aspirations complicated, although it still maintains mathematical possibilities. For the French, the challenge now will be to maintain focus and physical freshness, especially after such a demanding game from a physical and emotional standpoint. With Mbappé in record-breaking mode and a new generation gaining minutes, France reinforces its status as a title contender, ready to face what remains of the group stage and, most likely, the upcoming knockout rounds.