France qualify for the next stage of the match after defeating Iraq following a two-hour interruption caused by severe thunderstorms at Philadelphia Stadium. Play is disrupted by storm conditions, including lightning risk, but the game resumes after a delay of more than two hours.
France control key periods of the match and score through Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé. Mbappé adds two goals, including one struck from outside the box and a second after Iraq’s defending breaks down. Dembélé contributes the third goal and scores his first at a major tournament. France’s coaching staff also use substitutions to manage players’ workloads during the contest, with Didier Deschamps making changes earlier and then withdrawing Dembélé and Michael Olise around the hour to preserve them for upcoming matches.
The outcome also continues Mbappé’s pursuit of Lionel Messi’s World Cup scoring record, with the victory bringing Mbappé closer to milestone totals.
