Kylian Mbappe netted two goals to reach the second spot in career World Cup goals with a tally of 16, as France triumphed over Iraq 3-0 on Monday to secure a place in the knockout stage despite the tournament’s inaugural rain delay.
Ousmane Dembele, the Ballon d’Or recipient, also found the net for Les Bleus, delighting the fans who endured a wet evening in Philadelphia.
Mbappe scored in the 14th and 54th minutes during his memorable 100th international appearance, marked by persistent rainfall. Although he had a chance for a hat trick on a late breakaway, he missed the opportunity before being substituted at the 90-minute mark.
The first goal by Mbappe put France ahead 1-0 by halftime. However, heavy rain and an approaching thunderstorm prompted a delay of over two hours, leading the ground staff to clear water from the sodden Kentucky bluegrass pitch.
The unexpected weather event resulted in the tournament’s initial rain delay and marked a rare occurrence where a World Cup match was interrupted midgame due to adverse weather conditions. After approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes, an announcement was made that the weather threat had passed, allowing the teams to resume warming up on the rain-soaked field.
Before the scheduled evening game between Norway and Senegal in East Rutherford, New Jersey, heavy rain also drenched the area.
Amid France’s 1-0 lead at halftime, the stadium urged the audience at Lincoln Financial Field to seek shelter in covered areas due to an impending severe storm. Throughout the halftime break, torrential rain poured down as thousands of fans sought refuge in the stadium’s concourses and under sheltered balconies.
Initially anticipated to extend the 15-minute halftime interval by an additional 15 minutes, the delay was prolonged, with stadium authorities announcing that the game would recommence once it was deemed safe. FIFA regulations stipulate a 30-minute pause in the event of lightning detected within an 8-mile radius, with the clock being reset with each subsequent lightning strike.
France and Iraq soldiered on through a downpour that began in the 37th minute, with spectators donning ponchos and remaining in their seats until instructed to seek shelter during halftime.
Historically, FIFA matches have been known to proceed despite severe weather conditions. For instance, a 2014 game between the U.S. and Germany persisted in Brazil even amidst torrential rainfall that inundated parts of the neighboring city.
The second half was slated to resume at 7:50 p.m. ET.
