Ousmane Dembele got on the scoresheet for France’s third goal as Les Bleus defeated Iraq 3-0 in a World Cup group-stage encounter at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on Monday night, a match that experienced a storm-related delay.
The Paris Saint-Germain winger found the net in the 66th minute, complementing Kylian Mbappe’s two goals after a lengthy weather stoppage had disrupted the flow of the game. Despite the intermittent rhythm, France remained in charge throughout, collecting six points from their first two Group I matches and establishing a strong position in the race for knockout-stage qualification.
Dembele’s strike carried significance beyond the final margin, as it gave another PSG attacker a direct offensive contribution in the tournament, especially in light of recent scrutiny on Bradley Barcola and Desire Doue within Didier Deschamps’ attacking setup. For Luis Enrique, it offers further confirmation that his wide players are carrying their sharp domestic form into the summer international stage.
Dembele bolsters PSG influence in France win
According to ESPN’s game account, Dembele converted in the 66th minute, with France concluding the evening as 3-0 victors and Iraq unable to produce a single shot on target over the course of the match, per ESPN’s post-match statistics.
The inclement weather and ensuing hold-up could have deflated France’s momentum, yet Dembele’s second-half strike allowed the reigning champions to close out the night on a more polished note. It also reinforces PSG’s central role in France’s World Cup campaign, as Dembele now injects decisive production into an attack already rich with Parisian ties.
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