⚽️ World Cup kick-off: 5pm ET/10pm BST/7am AEST
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Good evening! Tonight’s match is poised to highlight Kylian Mbappé’s remarkable talent. As the captain of the French national team, he stands out not only due to his exceptional skills but also as a key figure in this World Cup among players under 38. He is just one hat-trick away from breaking the all-time World Cup scoring record, having already netted 14 goals in 15 appearances, which surpasses Pelé’s impressive tally of 12 goals in 14 games. This situation might evoke some frustration for Cristiano Ronaldo, who has scored eight times across 23 matches.
This evening in Philadelphia, Mbappé will also celebrate a personal achievement by reaching his 100th cap for France. The atmosphere is charged with excitement, yet Iraq faces a daunting challenge in trying to match Iran’s unexpected 0-0 draw. Historically, Iraq has not yet earned a point in World Cup play, making a draw against a strong French team seem improbable. Nevertheless, the Iraqi squad approaches challenges with determination, having fought through 21 qualifying matches to secure their spot, the highest number for any team. Under the leadership of Australian coach Graham Arnold, who maintains an optimistic perspective, he refers to the so-called ‘group of death’ as simply a ‘group of excitement.’
