Mbappe double sends France into knockout rounds after lengthy weather delay

France's Kylian Mbappe (10) dribbles past Iraq's Rebin Ghareeb (2) during the World Cup Group I soccer match between France and Iraq in Philadelphia, Monday, June 22, 2026. (AP)
  • Mbappe, who now sits two goals (16) behind Lionel Messi on the all-time World Cup ⁠scoring list

PHILADALEPHIA: ‌Kylian Mbappe scored twice as France secured their ​place in the World Cup knockout rounds with a 3-0 victory over Iraq on Monday after a thunderstorm ‌delay turned ‌the Group ​I ‌clash ⁠into ​an almost ⁠four-hour affair.
Mbappe, who now sits two goals (16) behind Lionel Messi on the all-time World Cup ⁠scoring list, struck ‌either ‌side of the ​interval before ‌Ousmane Dembele got ‌on the scoresheet as France maintained their perfect start to the tournament ‌and moved on to six points.
The second ⁠half ⁠began after a delay of almost two hours because of thunderstorms and lightning in the Philadelphia area.
France conclude their group stage campaign against Norway ​in Boston ​on Friday.