Kylian Mbappe scored twice as France beat Iraq 3-0 in Philadelphia on Tuesday after a weather suspension of more than two hours interrupted their Group I World Cup clash. Ousmane Dembele added France’s third as Didier Deschamps’ side moved closer to the knockout stage.
FIFA halted the match at half-time after lightning activity near the stadium triggered severe weather procedures. Officials kept players and staff away from the pitch before play resumed more than two hours later.
France controlled the game before the interruption and Mbappe gave them the lead with a powerful left-footed strike from outside the box. The goal marked his third of the tournament and set the tone for another dominant display.
The long break failed to slow France. They raised the tempo after the restart and forced Iraq into mistakes across the pitch.
Mbappe grabbed his second in the 53rd minute after Iraq lost possession while trying to play out from the back. Dembele intercepted the loose ball and squared it for the France captain, who tapped home from close range.
France stretched the lead again 13 minutes later. Michael Olise released Dembele with an outside-of-the-boot pass and the Ballon d’Or winner drilled a low finish into the far corner.
France moved the ball sharply and rotated their attacking players across the front line. Iraq struggled to contain the movement after the restart and failed to recover control.
Mbappe also moved closer to another landmark. The France captain now has 16 World Cup goals and sits two behind Lionel Messi’s all-time record of 18.
