France vs Iraq: Live Score and Match Report

Live score: France vs Iraq

By Henry Hanson

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Key Events

14

France vs Iraq

20

Goals

3

Argentina vs Austria

44

Match reports

1

Weather delay in Philly

By Henry Hanson

Okay, so we're still waiting on confirmation of the details, but we're hearing the start of the second half has been delayed due to that wild weather that hit the game late in the first period.

Hope you remembered your poncho!

By Henry Hanson

It is WET in Philadelphia!

But thankfully, it looks like Gianni has managed to keep himself dry.

HT: France 1 - 0 Iraq

By Henry Hanson

A vicious Kylian Mbappe piledriver separates the two sides at the break.

The 27-year-old cut inside and took aim from outside the penalty area to bring his World Cup tally to 15, only hours after Leo Messi had scored a brace to move him clear at the top of the all-time leaderboard.

But really, Les Bleus struggled to create anything of note after Mbappe's 14th minute strike, with Iraq defending well in what at times felt like a perilously low block.

The final 10 minutes of the half were dominated by truly dramatic lashings of rains, which halted momentum for both teams as we crept towards the break.

The players, drenched both to the bone and head to toe, head to the sheds in some hurry.

45' We're into three minutes of stoppage time

By Henry Hanson

Iraq makes its way forward as we creep towards halftime and as the rain continues to absolutely hammer Philadelphia Stadium.

Adrien Rabiot brings down his marker and the Lions of Mesopotamia have an opportunity to float a ball into the box.

That's exactly what they do - but it's easily dealt with by the French defence.

We're into three minutes of stoppage time at the end of the first half.

40' Mbappe tries his luck in torrential conditions

By Henry Hanson

It is raining cats and dogs in Pennsylvania.

Seriously, it's looking like a monsoon out there, and the players must be really struggling to see out there, let alone keep their footing.

Kylian Mbappe tries to take advantage of the slippery conditions, chipping one towards goal from close to halfway, but his audacious effort is well high.

37' The heavens open in Philadelphia

By Henry Hanson

The rain has started pouring down in Philadelphia.

Plenty of ponchos are getting a good workout in the crowd, with a fair amount of uncovered area in the lower grandstands.

France breaks forward with pace, and it's Bradley Barcola with the ball in the penalty area - but a last-ditch Iraqi challenge prevents the PSG man from getting a shot away.

28' An Iraqi foray forward

By Henry Hanson

Iraq is on the front foot in the immediate aftermath of the hydration break, with Merchas Doski floating in a tempting ball into the penalty area.

It's a well-directed cross and collects a combination of French and Iraqi heads on its way out for a goal kick.

Moments later, Iraq has an opportunity from a corner, but the inswinger is over hit and bobbles out of play.

Promising signs for the Iraqis.

26' Early change for Iraq

By Henry Hanson

We're back from the hydration break, and Graham Arnold has been forced to turn to his bench.

Striker Aymen Hussein, who scored Iraq's goal against Norway, limps off holding his groin.

Ali Al-Hamadi is on in his place.

23' We're off for a drink

By Henry Hanson

This looks like it could be a really long afternoon for Iraq.

The Lions of Mesopotamia are dropping so deep, just allowing wave after wave of French attack to wash over them.

There's no out ball on the odd occasion they win back the ball, with Les Bleus getting into position and pressing effectively.

We've reached quarter time.

What a goal! Mbappe!

By Henry Hanson

Oh wow.

Kylian Mbappe with a special strike to give France the lead in Philadelphia.

He receives the ball on the edge of the penalty area, cuts inside, and lets fly with his "weaker" left foot.

It's a wonderful strike, arrowing past the outstretched right arm of Ahmed Basil and into the net.

It's his 15th World Cup goal on his 100th national team appearance.

He moves to within three of Leo Messi at the top of the tournament's all-time leaderboard.

13' French pressure building

By Henry Hanson

Ousmane Dembele is dancing into the penalty area from the right.

He's dispossessed, but the clearance goes only as far as Adrien Rabiot on the edge of the penalty area.

The ball is eventually bundled away by the Iraqis, but the pressure is certainly building in Philadelphia.

7' Early yellow for Iraq

By Henry Hanson

Amir Alamari cynically brings down Kylian Mbappe and it's an early yellow card for the Iraqi midfielder.

The set piece is lofted into the area from close to half-way, and William Saliba goes down in the box.

Not a whole lot of contact and play goes on.

France starting to find a bit of room between the lines now.

5' Iraq asserting themselves well early on

By Henry Hanson

France is yet to conjure a clear-cut opportunity, despite, predictably, dictating much of the possession.

Iraq plays a long ball forward but it's well cleared by the French defence.

We're under way in Philadelphia

By Henry Hanson

And you'll be pleased to hear that the inclement weather has cleared in Philadelphia, with the stands nearly full and a stomping atmosphere building.

Iraq, in all white, wallops forward the kick-off, and it's a goal kick to France.

Over to you, Kylian

By Henry Hanson

We've already seen the masterful Lionel Messi make history today, striking twice to become the World Cup's outright leading scorer.

What can fellow superstar Kylian Mbappé conjure in response?

Mbappé, with 14 World Cup strikes, is now four goals from Messi at the top of the competition's all-time leaderboard.

With the Frenchman over a decade younger than the Argentinian, it seems certain the record will be his sooner or later.

Over to you, Kylian.

How things stand in Group I

By Henry Hanson

So, France can confirm a spot in the knockout rounds with victory in Philadelphia.

Defeat today won't eliminate Iraq from the competition, with the Lions of Mesopotamia destined to be fighting for third spot on Matchday 3.

Arnold says Iraq won't be conservative in Philadelphia

By Henry Hanson

Reuters

Iraq manager Graham Arnold has no plans to take a more conservative approach against France despite their 4-1 loss to Norway in their Group I opener.

Arguably, no back line at the tournament will face a tougher opening two games. Three-time Premier League top scorer Erling Haaland scored a first-half double to open his career World Cup account against Iraq. Next up is France and Kylian Mbappe.

"I've always been a coach who goes out expecting to win a game, not trying not to lose," said the Australian who helped Iraq qualify for their first World Cup in 40 years.

"If you have that mentality, yes, you will have days where it might not work, but you'll get plenty of days where it will work.

"And you have that mindset with the players and give that mindset that we're going out with the belief and expectations to win, then it puts the players in a good mindset."

France’s newly minted all-time top scorer Mbappe, like Haaland, also netted a double as his side beat Senegal 3-1.

"I asked if we could play three goalkeepers, but they said no," Arnold quipped.

Iraq team news

By Henry Hanson

Former Socceroos boss Graham Arnold makes three changes to the side that went down 4-1 to Norway on Matchday 1.

Ahmed Basil is picked in goal with Jalal Hassan dropping to the bench, Ahmed Qasim comes in for Ali Jasim on the wing, and it's Manchester United youth product Zidane Iqbal who comes into bolster the midfield in place of Ali Al-Hamadi.

Aymen Hussein, who scored both a goal and an own goal against Norway, retains his place up front.