France Dominates Iraq 3-0 in World Cup Group I Opener

How it unfolded

France took control from the start, asserting their dominance in Group I. They enjoyed 55% of possession and created numerous chances, registering 19 total shots. Iraq struggled to mount any serious attacks, managing only 4 shots and none on target. The breakthrough came early when Kylian Mbappé opened the scoring in the 14th minute, giving France a deserved lead at half-time.

The decisive moments

France's second goal came nine minutes into the second half, with Mbappé again finding the net in the 54th minute. This effectively sealed the match, as Iraq were unable to respond. The final blow came in the 66th minute when Ousmane Dembélé added a third, capping a comprehensive performance. France's defensive solidity meant Iraq never threatened, and the clean sheet was never in doubt.

What it means

This convincing start puts France top of Group I with three points and a strong goal difference. Iraq will need to regroup quickly, as their lack of attacking threat was evident. For France, this performance reaffirms their status as tournament contenders, with Mbappé already in fine form.