PHILADELPHIA — France is moving on in the World Cup after defeating Iraq 3-0 Monday, but the Group I matchup turned into a marathon event when severe thunderstorms forced a lengthy stoppage that stretched the game to nearly four hours total.
Star forward Kylian Mbappe was the standout performer, finding the back of the net twice — once before halftime and once after — to power France to their second consecutive win in the tournament. Ousmane Dembele also scored to round out the victory.
The second half was held up for close to two hours as thunderstorms and lightning swept through the Philadelphia region, forcing players and fans to wait out the dangerous conditions before play could resume.
With the win, France now sit atop their group with six points and a perfect record heading into the final round of group stage play. Mbappe’s brace puts him at 16 career World Cup goals, leaving him two behind Lionel Messi on the all-time scoring list.
France will wrap up their group stage schedule against Norway in Boston on Friday.
