Kylian Mbappé moved closer to Lionel Messi's World Cup scoring record on Monday, netting twice in France's 3-0 victory over Iraq to reach 16 career World Cup goals and tie for the second-highest total in tournament history.

The French star now shares second place with German great Miroslav Klose, while Messi sits alone at the top with 18 goals after scoring twice earlier in the day for Argentina.

"If I want to keep up with what Leo is doing, I'll have to do even more," Mbappé said after helping France secure a place in the knockout stage.

France will be hoping Mbappé can continue his scoring form as Les Bleus chase their second World Cup title in the last three editions of the tournament. While breaking Messi's record would be a personal achievement, winning another World Cup remains the primary objective.

At 27, Mbappé is 11 years younger than Messi and is expected to have at least two or three more World Cup opportunities to challenge the Argentine's record.

"He's here to score goals and that's something he's been doing," France coach Didier Deschamps said. "He's somebody that has a worldwide aura."

Playing in his 100th international match and competing in his third World Cup, Mbappé opened the scoring in the 14th minute to give France an early lead.

Following a weather interruption that extended halftime by more than two hours, he struck again in the 54th minute to equal Klose's tally.

Messi had broken Klose's record earlier Monday when he scored twice in Argentina's 2-0 win over Austria. He had already matched the German's mark with the first World Cup hat trick of his career in Argentina's 3-0 victory over Algeria last week.

"Leo always scores," Mbappé said.

His first goal against Iraq came from a powerful left-footed effort from around 20 yards that beat goalkeeper Ahmed Basil, who was making his first appearance of the tournament.

Mbappé added his second after Iraq defender Zaid Tahseen misplaced a pass to his goalkeeper. Ousmane Dembélé intercepted the ball and set up Mbappé, who calmly finished from close range.

The Real Madrid forward nearly completed a hat trick late in the match but missed a breakaway chance before being substituted in stoppage time.

"I've seen enough criticism on his egotistical side," Deschamps said. "But that's not who he is. I reiterate, he's the team captain. And he's a bright example for the rest of the group."

Mbappé helped France win the World Cup in 2018 and finish runners-up in 2022, when he received the Silver Ball as the tournament's second-best player.

With Mbappé leading the attack alongside Désiré Doué and reigning Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembélé, France entered this year's World Cup as one of the favourites alongside Spain.

Dembélé also scored in the second half against Iraq to complete France's comfortable victory.

France won World Cup titles in 1998 and 2018 before losing the 2022 final to Argentina in a penalty shootout.

Mbappé had already scored twice in France's 3-1 opening win over Senegal, taking his World Cup tally from 14 to 16 goals with Monday's brace.

His World Cup record now includes four goals in the current tournament, eight goals in 2022 when he won the Golden Boot as top scorer, and four goals during France's 2018 title-winning campaign.

The two goals also took Mbappé's international tally to 59, moving him two clear of Olivier Giroud as France's all-time leading scorer.