France looks to seal last-32 berth against Iraq as Mbappé chases World Cup goal record

Group I stakes

France enter the second matchday level with Norway on three points after a 3-1 win over Senegal, while Iraq sit bottom after a 4-1 loss to Norway. A victory tonight guarantees a place in the round of 32, though the group winner will not be decided until the final day, when France face Erling Haaland’s Norway. Iraq must take something from the match to retain any chance of progressing; defeat would leave them relying on Senegal losing to Norway and a huge goal-difference swing.

Tactical puzzle for Deschamps

Didier Deschamps reshaped his side at half-time against Senegal after a sluggish opening 45 minutes in which France managed only one shot on target, their worst first-half attacking output in a World Cup match since 1966. Michael Olise was moved into the number 10 role, Ousmane Dembélé shifted to the right flank, and Bradley Barcola replaced Désiré Doué. The adjustments unlocked Kylian Mbappé, who broke the deadlock on 66 minutes and later added a third. The same structure is expected against Iraq, with Barcola again likely to start. Dembélé, the reigning Ballon d’Or winner, will be under scrutiny after French newspaper readers rated him the lowest performer against Senegal.

Norway3

France3

Senegal0

Iraq0

Norway

3 points

France

3 points

Senegal

0 points

Iraq

0 points

Data from the article text

Mbappé’s record chase

Mbappé’s double against Senegal made him France’s all-time leading scorer at World Cups with 14 goals, placing him fourth on the tournament’s historical list. However, his feat was overshadowed by Lionel Messi, whose hat-trick against Austria allowed him to equal Miroslav Klose’s mark of 16 and then add two more to reach 18. Mbappé now has five of France’s last six World Cup goals; a strong showing against Iraq could close the gap on Messi before the knockout rounds.

Iraq’s uphill task

Iraq’s World Cup debut has been bruising. Aymen Hussein, their all-time leading scorer, found the net against Norway but also put through his own goal. Iraq’s defence will face another stern test from a France side that registered 19 touches inside Senegal’s box and completed 224 passes in the opposition half. Coach Jesús Casas has not been quoted in previews, but the message is clear: anything other than a draw likely ends their tournament.

What to watch

The match kicks off at 23:00 Spanish time (21:00 GMT) in Philadelphia. France’s probable lineup includes Mike Maignan in goal, a back four of Jules Koundé, Dayot Upamecano, William Saliba and Lucas Digne, and a midfield anchored by Manu Koné alongside Adrien Rabiot. Iraq are expected to field Ahmed Basil Fadhil between the posts and a compact 4-2-3-1 shape. All eyes, however, will be on the duel between Mbappé and a backline that conceded four in its opening fixture.