Two-hour storm break fails to stop France as Mbappé and Dembélé prove too good for Iraq

Could France do it on a hot, humid, waterlogged and lightning-threatened night in Pennsylvania? The answer was pretty straightforward. Despite an interruption of over two hours after a chain of severe thunderstorms disrupted play at Philadelphia Stadium, France brushed past the physical challenge of Iraq, and furthered Kylian Mbappé’s personal duel with Lionel Messi in the process.

The France captain got another two goals on the night, the first a rip-snorter from outside the box after a period of dominance, the second a tap in after disastrous defending from Iraq. Ousmane Dembélé got the third, his first goal at a major tournament, while Didier Deschamps, who had already made three changes to keep his side fresh, was also able to retire Dembélé and Michael Olise on the hour, preserving them for more taxing contests.