Arnold still believes in Iraq progression despite defeat to France

[p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/mbappe-kylian/Wn6E2SED/"]Kylian Mbappe[/a] scored twice in a Group I clash that was delayed ‌more than two hours by severe weather, marking ‌the second consecutive game in which [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/iraq/K8aAGt6r/"]Iraq[/a] have conceded two goals to ‌one of football's elite forwards.[/p][p]In their opener, Norway's [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/haaland-erling/UmV9iQmE/"]Erling ‌Haaland[/a] found the net twice in a 4-1 victory.[/p][p]But the Australian coach is keeping his eyes firmly fixed on Friday's crucial ‌final group match against [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/senegal/hOIsJLJr/"]Senegal[/a], where Iraq's ⁠hopes of reaching the ‌knockout phase hang in the balance.[/p][p][b]"For me now, it's all about ​Senegal," Arnold said. "With... eight third-placed teams going through. You know, we've still got a chance."[/b][/p][image alt="Group I standings" id="dd4e1ede-0bec-4ea5-a8e2-f342c20bcab5" credit-line="Flashscore" guid="c6b7268b-81d4-4fa8-b6c3-67681b3d2d0c" original-width="1200" original-height="1200" /][p]Arnold praised his ​team's first-half performance despite Mbappe's opener from distance, but lamented how the lengthy weather delay seemed to disrupt their ⁠rhythm.[/p][p]A costly goal-kick ​error immediately after the restart gifted [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/france/QkGeVG1n/"]France[/a] their second goal.[/p][p][b]"Well, you know, there's nothing I could do except I showed probably a little bit longer footage of the first half ‌at halftime to show them where France was obviously hurting us a little bit," Arnold explained.[/b][/p][p][b]"But it was more the players just had to sit and relax and keep relaxed and then get themselves obviously ready when we went back out there."[/b][/p][p]The Iraq boss had nothing but admiration for Mbappe's devastating display.[/p][p][b]"He's an incredible player," Arnold said. "His speed is unstoppable. And that's why we defended a ‌little bit deeper than I always do because if ​you leave space in behind and Mbappe's that quick, ‌then he'll destroy you."[/b][/p][p]With Haaland and Mbappe both on the scoresheet in consecutive games against Iraq, Arnold sees an intriguing battle brewing.[/p][p][b]"Haaland is scoring goals, and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/messi-lionel/vgOOdZbd/"]Messi[/a]'s obviously scoring goals, and Mbappe. So it's going ⁠to be a very good ⁠competition between those three ‌for the leading goal scorer."[/b][/p][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/france-QkGeVG1n/iraq-K8aAGt6r/?mid=KMRMTaNM"]Read the match report with Flashscore.[/a][/p]