France put on a clinic, for what it's worth

Watching France dismantle Iraq today felt less like a competitive sporting event and more like a high-end striker practicing against a wall. Kylian Mbappé grabbing a brace and Ousmane Dembele adding his name to the scoresheet was the expected script, written in bold marker before the players even stepped off the bus.

We can talk about the tactics or the shape, but let’s be honest. This was a mismatch of epic proportions that told us absolutely nothing about France’s actual ceiling. They moved the ball with the casual confidence of someone playing FIFA on amateur mode.

The Mbappé show remains the only show in town

Mbappé’s movement in the final third remains a nightmare for any defender, even if the defensive line he was dismantling today looked like they were auditioning for a local pub team. He found pockets of space with ease, finishing clinical chances that were essentially gift-wrapped by the midfield.

The efficiency of the attack wasn't the issue, but the hunger was questionable. When you are putting a 2-0 lead on your opponent inside the first half, you expect a bit more ruthlessness. Instead, the match drifted into a stroll, which is the kind of complacency that usually bites teams when they finally face actual competition.

Dembele’s role: The perennial wildcard

Ousmane Dembele finally finding the net is a headline that usually makes people double-check the date. It’s hard to get excited about these goals when you look at the live coverage of the match provided by the scouts. He plays with this manic, unpredictable energy that works against lower-tier tactical setups but often leaves him invisible when the pressure turns up.

You want to see consistency from him. Instead, you get these flashes of brilliance followed by thirty minutes of staring into space. He’s the physical embodiment of a fever dream.

Missing the point in the buildup

The real issue isn't the scoreline, it’s the lack of friction. France didn't learn how to break down a low block today because Iraq provided zero pressure in the pivot points. Every pass was crisp, yes, but every pass was also entirely unchallenged.

If you think this performance is a sign of dominance, you aren't paying attention to the quality of the opposing press. It was non-existent. A training cone would have offered more resistance on that third goal, which is a concern for a squad that needs to be battle-tested before the heavy knockouts arrive.

Watching the France vs Iraq broadcast, the commentators were acting like we just witnessed a masterclass. In reality, it was a glorified exhibition game. It’s the football equivalent of a movie star showing up to a community theater piece and expecting an Oscar for playing the background actor.

The verdict: Much ado about nothing

Let’s put this in perspective. Scoring easy goals against a side that barely showed up shouldn't be cause for a victory parade. Fans are already asking if this momentum will carry into the next round, ignoring the fact that they haven't been tested by a top-four backline in months.

The defense wasn't tested, the tactical discipline wasn't pushed, and the stamina wasn't truly strained. It was a comfortable afternoon in the sun. Enjoy the stats while they last, because reality checks are rarely this polite when they eventually arrive.