Kylian Mbappé Shines in 100th International Match as France Defeats Iraq 3-0

In a remarkable display during his 100th international appearance, Kylian Mbappé scored two goals, leading France to a 3-0 victory over Iraq. This win secures France's advancement to the Round of 32 in the FIFA World Cup. Mbappé's performance not only highlights his scoring prowess but also places him in a competitive race for the Golden Boot against Lionel Messi. As he aims for more records, including matching Didier Deschamps' cap total, the excitement builds for France's upcoming match against Norway. Discover more about this thrilling encounter and Mbappé's journey in the tournament.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 23, 2026, 13:42 IST

Mbappé's Milestone Performance

File image of Kylian Mbappé(Photo: @alimo_philip/X)

Philadelphia, June 23: Kylian Mbappé marked his 100th international cap with a stellar performance, scoring twice as France triumphed over Iraq with a score of 3-0, securing their place in the Round of 32 with a match still to play.

With this latest achievement, Mbappé has now netted two or more goals in six different FIFA World Cup matches, a record that surpasses any other player in the tournament's history. His two goals in this match brought his total to four for the current tournament, placing him just behind Lionel Messi in the race for the Golden Boot, while also maintaining his impressive goal-per-game ratio at the World Cup.

Mbappé opened the scoring in the 14th minute with a powerful left-footed strike from 20 yards, assisted by Michael Olise. A mishap during a goal kick by Zaid Tahseen and goalkeeper Ahmed Basil allowed Dembele to capitalize, setting up Mbappé for a straightforward second goal.

While his 15th World Cup goal was a spectacular effort, his 16th was more of a gift. Initially, he was tied with Ronaldo at 15 World Cup goals, but he quickly surpassed that mark. He now shares the second spot with Miroslav Klose, both having 16 goals, just two behind the all-time leader, Lionel Messi, who has 17.

Dembele, benefiting from Olise's creativity, scored his first World Cup goal 12 minutes later, further solidifying France's dominance in the match.

With this victory, France, boasting a formidable attacking lineup, is set to face Norway, confident that they will advance to the knockout stage regardless of the match outcome.

As for Mbappé, he continues his rivalry with Messi for the 2026 Golden Boot and the all-time World Cup scoring record. His next target is to reach 103 caps, the record held by Didier Deschamps, his long-time coach, who ranks ninth in the list of players with the most appearances for Les Bleus. Should France progress further in the tournament and he plays in every match, Mbappé could match that total in the Round of 16.