France moved to a comfortable FIFA World Cup Group I win in Philadelphia, beating Iraq 3-0 with a brace from Kylian Mbappé and a clinical finish by Ousmane Dembélé. In front of 68,324 at Lincoln Financial Field, Didier Deschamps’ side controlled most of the game, pressed after the break, and turned pressure into goals. Michael Olise set up two of them and also hit the woodwork, while Iraq’s organized 4-1-4-1 shape fought hard but created little. The numbers on Sofascore drew a clear picture of why the points stayed with Les Bleus.

Fast start, stronger finish

France led early when Mbappé steered in on 14 minutes from Olise’s pass. Iraq had a setback shortly after as captain Aymen Hussein went off injured on 26 minutes, replaced by Ali Al-Hamadi. The first half was measured rather than frantic, with France at 58 percent possession and a modest 0.24 xG to Iraq’s 0.16, yet still ahead at the break.

The second half opened up. Dembélé slipped Mbappé through for 2-0 in the 54th minute, a move built on France’s right-sided fluency. Twelve minutes later the roles flipped as Olise fed Dembélé for the third. By full time the shot count read 19-4 and shots on target 5-0, reflecting the step up after half-time. France’s second-period xG jumped to 2.25, while Iraq’s reached 0.44, and that shift told the story.

How France’s team stats shaped the result

Control without chaos was the theme. France finished with 56 percent possession and 602 passes, completing 539 of them. The big difference arrived in territory. Final-third entries were 89 to 31 and touches in the box were a one-sided 42 to 7. That consistent field position turned into chances, with France producing six big chances and a total xG of 2.49.

Iraq’s defensive workload was heavy and honest. They made 26 clearances, 18 tackles and 11 interceptions, which kept the score from running away at times. But France’s volume eventually broke the dam. Les Bleus attempted 12 of their 19 shots from inside the box and forced two goalkeeping punches. Corners finished 4-2 and even the aerial duels tilted France’s way overall at 53 percent, especially in the second half.

Match MVP: Kylian Mbappé, Sofascore Rating 9.2

This one belonged to the captain. Mbappé delivered two goals from eight shots, with three on target, and posted an expected goals figure of 1.1984. He also created two chances, completed 35 of 39 passes, and carried the ball 15 times with six progressive carries for 130.66 progressive meters. There was industry alongside impact, as he made six recoveries and even won a tackle.

Not everything went in, and the numbers show he could have had more, with three big chances missed and one offside call. Yet the constant threat stretched Iraq’s back line, and his best carry alone advanced play by 31.80 meters. In short, Mbappé’s movement, finishing and link play were the platform for France’s win, and his 9.2 Sofascore Rating was the highest on the pitch.

Olise and Dembélé stretched the game wide

The right flank produced end product. Dembélé finished with one goal and one assist in 68 minutes, three key passes, and a 0.479 expected assists figure. He attempted four shots and carried forward with 26 ball carries that repeatedly asked questions. His Sofascore Rating of 8.7 reflected both the goal and the creative spark.

Olise, who also exited at 68 minutes, supplied two assists and struck the woodwork. He made three key passes, delivered a 0.428 expected assists total, and won six duels, all while dropping into useful positions between lines. His Sofascore Rating of 8.0 underlined the influence he had on the tempo and the scoreboard. Together they tilted the match, drawing defenders wide and opening the half spaces that Mbappé loves to attack.

Platform from the back: Upamecano leads a secure spine

France’s defenders were calm on the ball and sharp in distribution. Dayot Upamecano stood out with 75 accurate passes from 78 attempts, eight recoveries, and two interceptions. He even created a big chance and posted 0.325 expected assists, rare output for a center back. That all added up to a strong 8.1 Sofascore Rating.

William Saliba added 61 accurate passes and three clearances, while Jules Koundé went 36 of 41 and chipped in a key pass before departing on 83 minutes. Lucas Digne’s six crosses showed the full-back intent, even if accuracy was mixed. France did not allow a shot on target, which left Mike Maignan without a save to make and tells you plenty about the block in front of him.

Iraq’s resistance and bright spots in the data

For long spells Iraq kept their structure and tried to spring forward. They actually edged overall duels 52 percent and won more tackles and interceptions. Defender Akam Hashem was their most reliable outlet, completing 68 of 71 passes with nine clearances and a last-man tackle for a 7.1 Sofascore Rating. Midfielder Zidane Iqbal was tidy as well, finishing with 66 accurate passes from 71 and five recoveries.

Substitute Marko Farji offered a late spark on the flank, producing one key pass and 0.318 expected assists from just two crosses, also earning a 7.1. The issue came in the final third. Iraq finished with four shots, none on target, and only seven touches in France’s penalty area. Al-Hamadi’s 0.5404 xG from three attempts showed their best opening, but it went begging. Goalkeeper Ahmed Basil was busy and brave, yet his 5.5 and a goals-prevented figure of -0.787 tell you how tough France’s finishing angles were, and his recorded error leading to a goal did not help.

The bottom line

France were measured in the first half and ruthless in the second. They married control of the final third with relentless box entries and turned their superior xG into a clean 3-0. Mbappé took the headlines, the flankers supplied, and the center backs kept everything tidy. On Sofascore you can dive into every carry, pass and chance from this Group I performance, but the headline trend is simple. France created more, from closer range, and the score followed the statistics.