France secured their place in the World Cup knockout stage with a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Iraq on Monday, powered by a brilliant brace from Kylian Mbappé. The defending champions join Argentina as the second team to qualify from the group stage with a match to spare.
Mbappé Shines Again on the World Stage
Kylian Mbappé opened the scoring in the 23rd minute with a trademark burst of pace that left the Iraqi defence flat-footed, before curling a finish into the far corner. His second came early in the second half — a clinical volley from a cross by Theo Hernández. Marcus Thuram added a third in the 67th minute to complete the scoring. France dominated possession (68%) and created 14 chances, showcasing the depth that makes them tournament favourites. Mbappé now has four goals in the tournament, trailing only Lionel Messi (5) and Erling Haaland (4) in the Golden Boot race.
Norway Also Through After Haaland Heroics
Norway joined France in the knockout stage after a thrilling 3-2 victory over Senegal. Erling Haaland scored twice, including a powerful header from a corner in the 78th minute that proved to be the winner. Senegal pushed hard and created several chances through Ismaila Sarr, but Norway's defence held firm. Norway's qualification marks a significant achievement for a nation appearing in only its second World Cup, with Haaland cementing his reputation as one of the tournament's standout performers.
Algeria's Stunning Comeback
Algeria mounted a dramatic second-half comeback to defeat Jordan 2-1 in Santa Clara. Jordan took the lead through a well-worked set piece in the 34th minute, but Algeria equalised early in the second half before scoring the winner with 15 minutes remaining. The victory keeps Algeria's knockout stage hopes alive heading into the final group matches. For neutral fans, Algeria's never-say-die attitude has made them one of the tournament's most entertaining teams.
India's Interest in French Football
France has a special connection with Indian football fans. Several players of French origin with Indian heritage have featured in European football, and French Ligue 1 has growing viewership in India through streaming platforms. Mbappé himself has a massive fan following in India, with his jerseys among the top-selling football merchandise in the country. The Indian Super League has also seen interest in French players, with several former Ligue 1 talents now featuring in Indian clubs. As France advances deeper into the tournament, Indian viewership is expected to surge.
Knockout Stage Preview
France finishes Group I against Senegal, while Norway faces Iraq. Both qualified teams may rotate their squads to rest key players ahead of the round of 32. Argentina secured their spot with Messi's record-breaking 18th World Cup goal, and more teams are expected to join them after Tuesday's matches. The knockout stage introduces single-elimination football, with no second chances — the pressure ramps up dramatically from June 28 onwards.
Sources: Olympics.com, GMA News, ESPN, BBC Sport, L'Equipe
