The match against Iraq, which would secure France’s place in the knockout stages, might have been remembered as an easy stroll if not for the weather. Philadelphia was hit by a heavy downpour, forcing the referee to halt the game. The interruption lasted two hours.
Once play resumed, Didier Deschamps’ side simply enjoyed themselves. Iraq was unable to mount any organized resistance, and the French team did not exert too much effort, rarely pushing forward aggressively. Yet, their occasional attacks were more than enough. France comfortably cruised to a comprehensive victory, conserving energy and advancing with a significant reserve of strength.
For Kylian Mbappé, the evening was particularly momentous. His brace allowed him to equal Miroslav Klose on the all-time World Cup top scorers list. Ahead of him now stands only Lionel Messi, and given the age difference, surpassing Messi appears a realistic target.
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