France beats Iraq 3-0 in World Cup match delayed by two-hour thunderstorm

France secured their place in the World Cup knockout stage with a dominant 3-0 victory over Iraq. Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé scored the goals, with Mbappé netting twice to reach 16 World Cup goals, matching the record held by Germany's Miroslav Klose. The win puts France at the top of Group I, with their final group match against Norway determining their seeding for the next round.

The match, however, was significantly disrupted by severe weather. A thunderstorm in Philadelphia caused a two-hour delay, extending the time from kickoff to final whistle to nearly four hours. This interruption, following a prolonged halftime, tested the patience of the 68,324 spectators.

Despite the weather challenges, France displayed a more dynamic performance than in their opening match. Coach Didier Deschamps noted the team's quality and the impact of the third goal, describing the second half after the long break as a "restart." The team showed increased aggression and a strong attacking intent upon resuming play.

For Iraq, this tournament marks their first World Cup appearance in 40 years. The loss significantly diminishes their chances of advancing to the next round. The disruption extended beyond the pitch, as pre-game weather also caused a 45-minute delay in stadium access, with fans advised to seek shelter or postpone their arrival.

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The second half after the long pause was a restart.