France player ratings vs Iraq: Mbappé and Dembélé lead the way

France's 0-3 win over Iraq in France vs Iraq was shaped by the front three. Kylian Mbappé scored twice, Ousmane Dembélé got off the mark, and Michael Olise supplied the final pass twice. GOAL's ratings panel reflected that: Mbappé finished on 8.52, Dembélé on 9, and Olise on 7.62.

Mbappé and Dembélé set the tone

Mbappé opened the scoring in the 14th minute and added a second in the 54th, which is exactly the sort of output that makes a ratings panel lean his way. His 8.52 was the best mark awarded in the match, and it came in a game where France did not need to force the issue for long stretches.

Dembélé was even more prominent in the numbers. He scored France's third goal in the 66th minute for his first goal at a World Cup, and he was given a 9 for the display. GOAL's assessment also credits him with creating Mbappé's second goal, which is why his night reads as more than just a simple first finish.

Olise's role and France's attack

Olise's two assists sat at the heart of France's third straight attacking contribution. He also supplied the pass for Dembélé's goal, although GOAL noted that one of the assists may have been generous because he played a simple, first-time ball back to Mbappé on the edge of the area. The second one was not in doubt, a through-ball that opened the game up for Dembélé.

The storm delay in Philadelphia held play up for two hours before France finished strongly. Didier Deschamps' side also clinched qualification for the round of 32 with one game to spare, but this was not a night defined by caution or control. It was defined by the forwards, and the ratings followed that pattern.

Behind them, Dayot Upamecano's 7.83 was the pick of the defensive numbers, while Jules Kounde, William Saliba and Mike Maignan were all steady rather than central to the story. France's clean-looking ratings sheet belongs to the attackers first, and the final verdict was shaped by Mbappé and Dembélé doing the decisive work again.