The sky was about to open up on Philadelphia, threatening to wash out France's 100% record in the tournament. But just when it seemed like the weather gods were conspiring against them, Ousmane Dembélé conjured a moment of magic that will be etched in the memories of French fans forever – his first goal in this competition finally arrived at his 20th attempt, and what a strike it was! The Paris Saint-Germain star's 25-yard thunderbolt into the top corner was met with ecstatic celebrations from the France squad, who had been waiting for this moment to arrive.
Dembélé was a force to be reckoned with throughout, maintaining an imperious width that left the Iraqi defence grasping at air. His impressive stats – 67 touches, three chances created and four passes in the final third – only tell half the story of his impact on the game. That assist for Kylian Mbappé's goal was a masterclass in vision and precision, as he picked out the Parisian youngster with an inch-perfect pass that left the Iraqi rearguard flailing.
Mbappé himself added two more goals to his tally, while Michael Olise continued to make waves with yet another two assists. France's attacking prowess is starting to look like a potent force in this tournament, with nine significant scoring opportunities created already. And it's not just about the numbers – their pressing game has been a revelation, regaining possession 47 times in the opponent's defensive third, a figure only surpassed by Spain in the competition so far.
But despite all these positives, there are warning signs for France to heed. This was only their second clean sheet in seven matches, and Iraq showed they were capable of causing problems – generating 0.63 xG is no mean feat. The French full-backs' eagerness to push high up the pitch leaves spaces in the channels that opponents can exploit, and Norway's star striker Erling Haaland will undoubtedly be looking to test this vulnerability on Friday.
That showdown with Norway in Boston will determine which team tops Group I – and it promises to be a far from straightforward affair. Haaland, typically effusive about his own abilities, seemed to downplay his team's chances pre-match, saying "Honestly I don’t care that much. They’re probably going to win against us. They’re probably going to win the whole tournament." Whether or not he was just trying to get under France's skin remains to be seen – one thing is certain though: this match will give a clearer insight into whether France's perceived defensive frailties could ultimately cost them in this competition.
Didier Deschamps, however, exudes confidence about his squad's unity and depth. Rotating players like Bradley Barcola, Manu Koné, and Lucas Digne has given him a fresh impetus to call upon, with Koné impressing significantly as he deputised for Aurélien Tchouaméni. With no apparent internal discord in the French camp, they seem determined and unified – exactly what you'd expect from a team gunning for tournament glory.