Mbappe double sends France into World Cup knockout rounds after weather delay

PHILADALEPHIA: Kylian Mbappe scored his second double of the tournament as France eased into the last 32 with a 3-0 victory over Iraq on Monday in the first match of this World Cup beset by a lengthy weather stoppage.

Mbappe’s goals came nearly three hours apart after thunderstorms in the region delayed the second-half kickoff by a shade under two hours.

“The first half was good,” said France manager Didier Deschamps. “In the second half, we picked up where we left off, bearing in mind that it wasn't easy given what happened, and we managed to put the game beyond reach. That's a very good thing.”

Mbappe now sits on 16 all-time World Cup goals, pulling him level with Germany's former record holder Miroslav Klose.

Earlier on Monday, Lionel Messi set a new benchmark of 18 World Cup goals with a brace in Argentina's 2-0 win over Austria.

Mbappe’s four goals also put him one behind Messi in the 2026 World Cup Golden Boot race.

Reigning Ballon d’Or winner Dembele scored after halftime for twice champions France, who will face Norway on Saturday with Group I top spot on the line. The Norwegians beat Senegal 3-2 on Monday to move level on three points with the French.

Dembele had faced criticism for what some regarded as a poor performance in France’s 3-1 opening win over Senegal.

“There's no issue,” Deschamps said. “Ousmane is confident in himself. He can sometimes get people talking, but I have complete faith in him. He's still finding his bearings because his role is different from the one he has at his club.”

Iraq remain alive for one of the eight third-place spots.

They will probably need a win in their group finale against Senegal and help elsewhere. They could be without Aymen Hussein, who scored in their 4-1 opening defeat by