Mbappe plays down Messi rivalry after World Cup brace

Kylian Mbappe scored twice as France beat Iraq 3-0, a result that secured their place in the World Cup knockout rounds with two wins from two. Play was delayed for more than two hours because of severe thunderstorms in Philadelphia. Ousmane Dembele added the other goal after the restart.

Mbappe dismissed suggestions of a personal rivalry with Lionel Messi. "There is no saga [with Messi]," he said. "Leo has also scored, he scores and he will always score. I don't watch what he does, otherwise I will have to do more. I only look at my team. When you score goals, you get closer to this sphere but I repeat: for me it's more important to see our progression." The brace took Mbappe to 16 World Cup goals, drawing him level with Miroslav Klose and moving him ahead of Brazil legend Ronaldo, and it came on his 100th appearance for France.

That left him two behind Messi's tally of 18. Didier Deschamps said: "Records are made to be beaten. He has reached 100 caps, goals he will keep scoring many. Then, Messi, [Cristiano] Ronaldo.

kylian mbappe, lionel messi, world cup, france, iraq, ousmane dembele, brace, 100th appearance, miroslav klose, didier deschamps