Mbappe storms to another double against Iraq, despite two-hour rain delay

PHILADELPHIA — Kylian Mbappe said he was not paying too much attention to World Cup scoring records after getting two more goals on what he described as a draining night in Philadelphia, as France beat Iraq 3-0 in a game interrupted by a two-hour storm delay.

Mbappe's strikes came either side of halftime on his 100th appearance for France, and Ousmane Dembele got the other goal in a game which was held up at halftime as torrential rain lashed the city.

"It was a very long evening. In terms of staying switched on, emotionally it was very difficult, because we had to remain focused in the dressing room for almost two hours. That is very difficult and very demanding," said Mbappe.

"We stayed calm, I was joking with the players," France coach Didier Deschamps said.

"I was joking with the players. This is a safety matter, so I don't blame anyone for it.

"As soon as there is a risk, we adapt to local laws. These are unusual circumstances, and I hope it won't happen again."

A match which began at 5 pm local time didn't finish until close to 9 pm, but Mbappe's performance made it memorable for other reasons for the capacity crowd of over 68,000.

His brace came after scoring a double in France's opening 3-1 win over Senegal, and he has seven goals in his last three World Cup matches, including his hat-trick in the 2022 final against Argentina.

Mbappe now has 16 World Cup goals, equaling the pre-tournament overall scoring record held by Germany's Miroslav Klose.

Lionel Messi, Mbappe's old teammate at Paris Saint-Germain, shot past that mark earlier Monday with two goals in Argentina's 2-0 win over Austria, establishing a new record of 18.

"Leo always scores goals and always will. So I am not looking at what he is doing, I'm just focusing on helping my team," said Mbappe.

He now has 60 goals for his country, having overtaken Olivier Giroud's previous French record of 57 against Senegal.

Through to last 32

It was put to him that he could chase down the record for most goals scored in one World Cup — that is held by France's Just Fontaine, who scored 13 in the 1958 edition of the tournament in Sweden.

"I'm not thinking about that just now," said the Real Madrid star.

"I think it is important to focus on the collective at the moment.

"I have always scored goals at the World Cup, but the priority is to be at our best as a team.

"You need to beat the best teams to win a World Cup, so it's going to be very difficult."

Les Bleus are already through to the last 32 with two wins from two in Group I, and next return to their Boston base, where they play Norway on Friday.

Norway beat Senegal 3-2 in New Jersey later on Monday, meaning it is also now through. France and Norway are level on six points each, but France's superior goal difference means it will finish top of Group I with a draw in that last match.

"The players and staff had to make a big effort. But we did the job and we are very pleased with how we played," said Mbappe.

Iraq, which has played five World Cup matches across two tournaments, but has lost them all, now has to beat Senegal in Toronto on Friday to stand any chance of advancing as a best third-placed team.

"We stuck to our game plan and executed it pretty well, but France are good," said Iraq defender Rebin Sulaka.

"We still have a chance, we are still in the competition, so we have to go back and correct our mistakes and then go out and give everything against Senegal."

AFP