France beat Iraq in storm-delayed World Cup game as Mbappe chases Messi’s record

Kylian Mbappe scored twice to maintain his pursuit of Lionel Messi after thunderstorms postponed France‘s 3-0 FIFA World Cup victory over Iraq by more than TWO HOURS.

The Real Madrid superstar found the net on both sides of an unusually prolonged break to reach four goals in two games and 16 World Cup strikes overall, two shy of Messi.

Advertisement

Argentina legend Messi had previously bagged a double of his own to claim the outright record for most goals at World Cups from Miroslav Klose as Argentina defeated Austria 2-0.

However, the France fixture concluded nearly four hours after kickoff due to severe weather conditions in Philadelphia, as per The Mirror.

The skies erupted eight minutes before the interval, sending spectators rushing for shelter. The first 45 was able to be finished, but the second half was postponed due to lightning in the vicinity.

It required two and a quarter hours for the second half to kick off, with the overwhelming majority of attendees waiting patiently, having paid an astronomical sum to see Mbappe and teammates in action.

Advertisement

Since the U.S. networks had ample time to air numerous commercials, even the widely criticized hydration break was eliminated for the second half, with considerable moisture still covering the field.

Mbappe broke the deadlock in spectacular style after just 14 minutes. Collecting the ball on the edge of the area from Michael Olise, he unleashed a thunderous effort past goalkeeper Ahmed Basil into the top corner.

To listen to the latest episode of ‘All Out Soccer’ – CLICK HERE

Basil managed to get his outstretched right hand to it, but was helpless to prevent the ferocious strike from finding the back of the net.

Advertisement

The keeper was then involved in a costly mix-up that handed Mbappe his second. Defender Zaid Tahseen played a short goal kick to Basil, who miscontrolled the ball.

The loose ball fell to Ousmane Dembele, who squared it across to Mbappe, leaving him with the straightforward task of rolling it into an unguarded net.

It bore a striking resemblance to a comparable blunder in Iraq’s opening match against Norway, which allowed Erling Haaland to capitalize. The tournament minnows are discovering the harsh realities of competing at the highest level.

Olise appeared to have extended the lead to 3-0 shortly after, fed by Mbappe, but his audacious curling effort cannoned off the crossbar.

Adrien Rabiot then inexplicably headed wide after Basil could only parry Dembele’s effort into his path four yards out.

Advertisement

Dembele switched from provider to scorer when Olise threaded him through with a sublime outside-of-the-boot left-foot pass. The PSG star finished emphatically for what was remarkably his first goal in 19 major tournament games for his country.

The victory moves France onto six points, securing their place in the last 32. Les Bleus face Norway in their final group match on Friday.