France booked their place in the World Cup last 32 with a game to spare as Kylian Mbappe’s ruthless double inspired a 3-0 victory over Iraq in a contest interrupted by a two-hour weather delay in Philadelphia.
Didier Deschamps’ side arrived knowing victory would secure qualification after their opening win over Senegal and they delivered with the minimum of fuss, overcoming both stubborn opponents and ‘Mother Nature’ to continue their flawless start to the tournament.
Mbappe was the headline act once again. The France captain struck either side of half-time to take his tally to four goals in the competition, underlining why he remains the most feared forward in world football.
France’s Kylian Mbappe celebrates scoring his side’s opening goal
But there was also a moment of personal redemption for Ousmane Dembele. The winger finally ended his long wait for a goal at a major international tournament, finding the net for the first time in his 20h appearance across World Cups and European Championships.
France’s quality was evident from the outset. Their movement between the lines continually stretched Iraq and it was Mbappe who made the breakthrough midway through the first half when belting one home from 22 yards.
The match then took an unprecedented turn at the interval.
With severe storms moving through the Philadelphia area, officials ordered players and supporters to remain under cover, resulting in the first weather-related delay of the World Cup. What should have been a routine 15-minute break stretched into a two-hour stoppage as lightning concerns forced organisers to postpone the restart.
When play eventually resumed, France quickly extinguished any lingering Iraqi hopes as Mbappe took advantage of some baffling decisions to play out from the back from Iraq. The French superstar is now just two goals behind Lionel Messi in the all-time World Cup goalscorer race with 16.
Michael Olise created the third, turning and powering away from his defenders, before slotting Dembele through. France play Norway in their final game on Friday and are in a great spot to top the table with six points in the bag.
‘Singing in the rain’ – First weather delay at the World Cup
The key moments from Philadelphia…
9 – GOAL! Mbappe puts France in front with a rasping strike from distance
40 – RAIN! The heaven open in Philadelphia with supporters heading for cover
45 – GAME DELAYED! The players don’t return out for the second half as lightning strikes mean the game is delayed
46 – GAME RESTARTS! Two hours later the players return to the pitch for the second half
56 – GOAL! Mbappe has an easy finish after a big error passing out from the back involving Zaid Tahseen
66 – GOAL! Dembele breaks his tournament duck to make it 3-0
