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 Tomball News
For Tomball residents who follow international soccer, Kylian Mbappé's impressive performance in the World Cup is a reminder that top-level competition can be found beyond local fields. As France advances to the knockout stage, fans in the Houston area may be interested in watching the remaining matches at local sports bars or gathering with friends to cheer on their favorite teams. The World Cup's global reach and excitement can bring people together, even in a community like Tomball, where local sports teams and events are a big part of the culture. With the tournament's outcome still uncertain, fans in Tomball will likely be keeping a close eye on the action, possibly drawing parallels between the skills on display in the World Cup and those of local athletes competing in Harris County.
About this story
Original reporting by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . Tomball News 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
Get more Tomball News stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering local and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
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 Tomball News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Dan Gelston, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC). To learn more about how Tomball News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from Tomball News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More local →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter