Philadelphia storm break fails to deter France as Mbappé and Dembélé secure win over Iraq
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Two-hour storm break fails to stop France as Mbappé and Dembélé prove too good for Iraq
Philadelphia Match Sees Significant Weather Delay
A World Cup match between France and Iraq in Philadelphia experienced a substantial weather delay, marking the first such interruption in the tournament. Heavy rain and thunderstorms led to a halftime break that extended for over two hours. The game, held at Lincoln Financial Field, was paused when fans were instructed to seek shelter in covered areas due to an approaching severe storm.
The downpour began around the 37th minute of the match. While many fans initially remained in their seats, they were later advised to find shelter at halftime. The stoppage was initially anticipated to be a shorter extension of the halftime break, but as conditions persisted, stadium officials confirmed that play would only resume once it was deemed safe. Crews utilized squeegees to clear standing water from the field during the delay.
FIFA rules allow for games to be paused for 30 minutes if lightning is detected within eight miles, with each strike resetting the clock. Despite a history of continuing matches through challenging weather, this particular game saw a delay of two hours and ten minutes, with halftime beginning at 5:50 p.m. EDT and the game resuming at 8 p.m.
Mbappé and Dembélé Lead France to Victory
Following the lengthy weather delay, France secured a victory against Iraq, with Kylian Mbappé scoring two goals and Ousmane Dembélé adding another. Mbappé’s first goal came from outside the box after a period of French dominance, while his second was a tap-in resulting from a defensive error by Iraq. Dembélé’s goal marked his first in a major tournament.
The French captain’s two goals brought his total to 16 in his World Cup career, placing him in a tie for second most in tournament history. This achievement puts him one goal behind Lionel Messi in the race for the Golden Boot and two behind Messi in their competition for the highest scorer in World Cup history. Mbappé scored his first goal in the 14th minute of his 100th international game, giving Les Bleus a 1-0 lead.
The second goal for Mbappé occurred in the 54th minute, capitalizing on a poor pass from Iraqi defender Zaid Tahseen to his goalkeeper, Ahmed Basil. Dembélé controlled the loose ball and passed to Mbappé, who then scored. Dembélé later scored his own goal on the hour mark with a clipped finish, set up by Michael Olise.
Post-Match Reactions and Tournament Implications
France coach Didier Deschamps acknowledged the unusual nature of the extended break, stating that it was the first time such an event had occurred for him or his players. He noted the long gap and the team’s upcoming match in four days, but emphasized the importance of securing six points and qualifying for the round of 32. Deschamps also mentioned that he was able to rest players like Dembélé and Olise during the match, preserving them for future contests.
Iraq head coach Graham Arnold suggested that the two-hour stoppage might have contributed to some of his team’s mistakes. Despite the loss, Arnold highlighted positives, including out-possessing their opponents, whom he identified as one of the top teams in the world. He noted that while Iraq maintained possession, France ultimately outscored them.
Mbappé’s performance further solidifies his standing in the tournament, as he continues to pursue the World Cup goals record. His four goals in this tournament, combined with eight in 2022 and four in 2018, contribute to his total of 59 international goals, surpassing Oliver Giroud for the most in France’s history. France’s victory ensures their passage to the knockout rounds of the tournament.
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Source: theguardian.com
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