local
Kylian Mbappé scores 2 goals to lead France to 3-0 win over Iraq and into World Cup knockout stage
By Dan Gelston, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC)
· June 23, 2026
· 4 min read
Neither rain, nor lightning, nor a swampy field — and certainly not overmatched Iraq — could stop Kylian Mbappé.Yeah, it got a bit messy on the pitch.Weather aside, this game — as so many do for France — belonged to Mbappé as he tries to keep pace on the World Cup career goals list with new recor...
Key takeaway Mbappé scored twice to move into a tie for second in World Cup goals with 16, and France played through the tournament's first rain delay to beat Iraq 3-0 on Monday and advance to the knockout stage.
Why this matters in The Pearland
For Pearland residents who are also soccer fans, the World Cup match between France and Iraq may have been a thrilling watch, with Kylian Mbappé's impressive performance leading France to a 3-0 win. The match's delay due to heavy rain may have also resonated with locals who are familiar with Houston's own unpredictable weather patterns. As the city's own sports teams, such as the Houston Dynamo, often have to contend with similar weather conditions, Pearland residents may appreciate the challenges that come with playing in such conditions. The fact that the match was played in Philadelphia, a city with its own unique sports culture, may also be of interest to Pearland residents who follow sports teams from around the country. With France advancing to the knockout stage, local soccer fans will likely be keeping a close eye on the tournament's progress.
About this story
Original reporting by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . The Pearland surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 23, 2026 ·
Source: KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) ·
Reading time: 4 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Neither rain, nor lightning, nor a swampy field — and certainly not overmatched Iraq — could stop Kylian Mbappé.Yeah, it got a bit messy on the pitch.Weather aside, this game — as so many do for France — belonged to Mbappé as he tries to keep pace on the World Cup career goals list with new recor...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 23, 2026 by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) and curated for The Pearland readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Dan Gelston, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC). To learn more about how The Pearland selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Pearland, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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