France faces Iraq as Mbappé chases World Cup and national team records

Kylian Mbappé has already made significant strides in the World Cup, surpassing Pelé on the all-time scorers list and inching closer to France's national team scoring record, all within his first match of the tournament. The French superstar is also on the cusp of playing his 100th game for Les Bleus. This milestone could see him overtake coach and former captain Didier Deschamps, who has 103 appearances. Should France advance far in the tournament, Mbappé is also on track to potentially break goalkeeper Hugo Lloris's record of 145 caps. Iraqi coach Graham Arnold, tasked with facing Mbappé and the French squad, humorously acknowledged the challenge of stopping the 2022 Golden Boot winner. "I asked if we could play with three goalkeepers," he admitted with a laugh, "But they told me no." Mbappé himself expressed his pleasure in playing for the national team, calling it "nothing greater than the national team." He recognized the historical significance of reaching 100 appearances, especially during a World Cup.

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I asked if we could play with three goalkeepers. But they told me no.