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Fans are warned to seek shelter from an approaching thunder storm. AP Photo/Matt Slocum
And Finally
France overcome Iraq to book World Cup knockout spot after two-hour thunderstorm delay
The game was suspended at half-time and will be delayed for at least half an hour.
France 3
Iraq 0
FRANCE SECURED A place in the World Cup knockout phase with a game to spare as Kylian Mbappe marked his 100th international appearance with two goals in a 3-0 victory over Iraq in Philadelphia on Monday.
Ousmane Dembele also found the net for the two-time world champions as Didier Deschamps’ men made it back-to-back wins in Group I after a game which was delayed for two hours at half-time due to the threat of thunderstorms.
🇫🇷 2-0 🇮🇶
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) June 23, 2026
Your going to need more than a lightning strike to stop Kylian Mbappe here in Philadelphia as he pounces on an Iraq blunder to double France's lead
Watch all 104 games from the #FIFAWorldCup on RTÉ pic.twitter.com/r7lnfFcdXv
🇫🇷 3-0 🇮🇶
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) June 23, 2026
Extended break seems to have done Iraq no favours here as Ousmane Dembele makes it three to open his account in the tournament
Watch all 104 games from the #FIFAWorldCup on RTÉ pic.twitter.com/kpJJxzqlgc
🇫🇷 1-0 🇮🇶
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) June 22, 2026
Match has been delayed for 15 mins at least following a lightning strike within the 8 mile radius.
Watch all 104 games from the #FIFAWorldCup on RTÉ pic.twitter.com/8GX3ciNIcs
The match kicked off in dry conditions before rain began to fall late in the first half, and supporters were told as soon as the half-time whistle was blown to “exit the open seating area and seek shelter in covered areas of the stadium”.
The vast majority of the 68,324-capacity Lincoln Financial Field, renamed Philadelphia Stadium for the tournament, is uncovered — leaving most of the capacity crowd to pack into the concourses.
It is the first match of this World Cup to be delayed by the threat of severe weather, with strict protocols in place in the United States when a storm is detected in the surrounding area.
Several games at last year’s Club World Cup in the US were held up because of bad weather.
🇫🇷 1-0 🇮🇶
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) June 22, 2026
What a strike from Kylian Mbappe
Watch all 104 games from the #FIFAWorldCup on RTÉ pic.twitter.com/j7cCZhiHEb
Written by AFP and originally published on The 42 whose award-winning team produces original content that you won’t find anywhere else: on GAA, League of Ireland, women’s sport and boxing, as well as our game-changing rugby coverage, all with an Irish eye. Subscribe here.
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