Philadelphia: France star Kylian Mbappe continued his remarkable World Cup scoring run on Monday, striking twice against Iraq to take his tournament tally to 16 goals and draw level with Germany great Miroslav Klose for the second-highest number of goals in World Cup history.

The 27-year-old forward opened the scoring in the 14th minute of France's Group-stage clash, finding the net in his 100th international appearance to put Les Bleus ahead 1-0. Following a lengthy weather interruption that extended the halftime interval by more than two hours, Mbappe struck again in the 54th minute to move alongside Klose on the all-time list.

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Only Argentina captain Lionel Messi now stands ahead of Mbappe and Klose. Messi set a new World Cup record of 18 goals earlier on Monday after scoring twice in Argentina's victory over Algeria. The Argentine had already equalled Klose's previous record with the first World Cup hat trick of his career during Argentina's 3-0 win over Algeria in Kansas City last week.

Mbappe's first goal came via a powerful left-footed effort from around 20 yards that beat Iraq goalkeeper Ahmed Basil, who was making his first start of the tournament after captain Jalal Hassan conceded four goals in Iraq's 4-1 defeat to Norway.

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His second arrived after Iraq defender Zaid Tahseen played a poor back pass toward his goalkeeper. Ousmane Dembele intercepted the loose ball and squared it to Mbappe, who calmly tapped home with his right foot.

The Real Madrid forward came close to completing a hat trick late in the match but failed to convert a breakaway chance before being substituted in the 90th minute.

Mbappe was instrumental in France's 2018 World Cup triumph and helped the team reach the final in 2022, where he received the Silver Ball as the tournament's second-best player. Alongside Desire Doue and reigning Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembele, he entered this year's competition with France among the leading title contenders.

The French captain had already scored twice in France's 3-1 opening victory over Senegal, taking his World Cup tally to 14 before Monday's brace. He now has 59 international goals, moving two clear of Olivier Giroud as France's all-time leading scorer.

Mbappe's World Cup goals have come across three tournaments — four in 2018, eight in 2022 when he won the Golden Boot, and four so far in the current edition.