Mbappe Double Fires France Past Iraq in Storm-Hit Thriller
Kylian Mbappe scores twice as France beat Iraq 3-0 despite a two-hour weather delay in Philadelphia.
Twice the Trouble: Goals at 14 and 54 Minutes
Nothing stops Kylian Mbappe — not even a two-hour thunderstorm. When the heavens opened over Philadelphia forcing players and fans to take cover, the French superstar returned from the weather break and picked up exactly where he left off. His brace, supplemented by Ousmane Dembele’s finish, sent France into the Round of 32 with a dominant 3-0 victory over Iraq and renewed their credentials as genuine title contenders.
Mbappe’s first came in just the 14th minute — a clinical finish that confirmed France’s early superiority. Then came the storms. With severe weather forcing a lengthy delay, lesser players might have lost their rhythm. Mbappe did not. He resumed in the 54th minute with a second goal that France had deserved since the restart. His movement was relentless, his finishing ice-cold. France looked every inch the outfit capable of lifting the trophy in New Jersey come July.
Dembele Adds Gloss to France’s Flawless Night
Ousmane Dembele rounded off the scoring to complete an emphatic display from Didier Deschamps’ side. Iraq battled with determination but were simply outclassed by the French juggernaut. Mbappe’s tally now sits at three goals for the tournament, placing him in contention in the Golden Boot race alongside Messi and Haaland. France have now won both group games without conceding a single goal.
France face Norway next in their final group fixture and a win would lock up top spot in Group I. With Mbappe firing and the defence resolute, Les Bleus look ominously well-placed for the knockout stages ahead.
