PLAYER RATINGS | France 2-1 Iceland: Kylian Mbappé surpasses Thierry Henry’s record in World Cup qualifier win | OneFootball

FIFA World Cup Qualifier, 09/09/25

Kylian Mbappé netted a goal and registered an assist as 10-man France narrowly beat Iceland (2-1) to continue their winning start to FIFA World Cup qualifying.

The Match

France controlled almost the entirety of the first half, but headed into the break level. Didier Deschamps’ side set the rhythm and had the lion’s share of the chances, with Elias Rafn Olafsson kept busy in the Iceland goal. Michael Olise threaded Marcus Thuram through, with the latter getting a toe on the throughball, without managing to beat the goalkeeper. Thuram then had a chance at the back-post from an Mbappé cross and then another, once again at the back-post. Olafsson was equal to all efforts, and on the final attempt, also kept out Manu Koné’s well-struck close-range effort.

However, France went behind mid-way through the first half due to a lapse in concentration from Olise, who played a dangerous ball inside his own box. Andri Gudjohnsen only needed one touch to turn it past Mike Maignan.

However, Les Bleus would go in level as Mikael Anderson clipped Thuram inside the box. Mbappé did the rest from the spot, sending Olafsson the wrong way.

Les Bleus showed more intensity on the ball early in the second half, doing more to stretch Iceland’s organised defence. Olise, looking to atone for his error, went very close, striking the bar with a first-time effort from outside the box, and they then took the lead just after the hour mark. Iceland switched off, allowing Mbappé to run onto an excellent Aurélien Tchouaméni ball in behind. The former Paris Saint-Germain forward, who surpassed Thierry Henry’s goal tally for Les Bleus on the night, wasn’t greedy, playing a simple ball for Bradley Barcola to tap into the empty net.

However, Tchouaméni then left France in an unfavourable position. The Real Madrid midfielder was shown a straight red card for a clumsy studs-up challenge on Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson. It forced a change of approach from Deschamps’ side, who continued to threaten, albeit only on the counter from then on.

Gudsjohnsen thought that he had netted a late equaliser, however, the goal was ruled out, with the Blackburn Rovers forward adjudged to have fouled Ibrahima Konaté before turning home Hakon Arnar Haraldsson’s cross. Les Bleus clung on, registering their second win of World Cup qualifying, after their win over Ukraine (2-0) on Friday.

France player ratings

Mike Maignan – 5

Théo Hernandez – 5

Dayot Upamecano – 5

Ibrahima Konaté – 4

Jules Koundé – 5

Manu Koné – 7

A real asset out of possession and a press-resistant metronome in possession. He was combative and energetic throughout, helping France establish control in midfield, especially in the first half and prior to the red card. He may not be the most thrilling player on the pitch, but he brings assurances and that makes him valuable for a France side that have plenty of technical and creative talent elsewhere.

Aurélien Tchouaméni – 5

It was a clumsy, dangerous, rather than malicious, tackle that brought the Real Madrid midfielder’s night to an early end. Prior to that, he was commanding in the midfield alongside Koné, and his ball for France’s second goal was sublime.

Marcus Thuram – 4

Michael Olise – 5

Like Tchouaméni, Olise was a player who blotted his copybook in one action. Once again, the Bayern Munich forward was a delight to watch, threading through balls and proving that he is the most technically gifted of Les Bleus’ forward line. However, he took risks in dangerous areas in the first half and was punished on one occasion with his pass straight to Gudjohnsen, akin to an own goal.

Bradley Barcola – 6

Kylian Mbappé – 7

Far from the perfect performance from the France captain, who now becomes Les Bleus’ second top-scorer of all-time. He got his goal from the spot and his assist, simply delivered after an excellent first-touch having been played in. But it was an incomplete performance, with plenty of sloppy build-up and a lack of presence at times.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle