Ekhbary
Wednesday, 24 June 2026
Breaking
Also available in: العربية

France Dominates Iraq with Dembélé, Mbappé Goals in World Cup 2026

Match suspended for two hours due to a thunderstorm warning

France Dominates Iraq with Dembélé, Mbappé Goals in World Cup 2026
Abd Al-Fattah Yousef
9 hours ago
32

Ekhbary News Agency | May 15, 2024

The French national team secured a decisive three-nil victory over Iraq in their second group stage fixture of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, currently being hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. As it turns out, the match proved eventful not only for the goals but also for an unexpected weather delay that tested the patience of players and fans alike.

Match Progression and Goal Scorers

Kylian Mbappé opened the scoring for France early in the 15th minute with a superb strike, setting the tone for his team's dominance. He then doubled France's lead in the 54th minute, capitalizing on a critical defensive error involving Iraqi defender Zaid Tahseen and goalkeeper Ahmed Basil. Ousmane Dembélé sealed the victory for France in the 66th minute, netting the third goal and solidifying their control over the game.

Thunderstorm Causes Significant Delay

The match experienced a substantial two-hour halt at the end of the first half, prompted by severe thunderstorm warnings near the stadium following heavy rainfall. Organizers instructed spectators to move to safe areas within the venue. A FIFA official later announced that the game's resumption would be delayed by at least 30 minutes, a period that included the half-time interval. This decision adhered strictly to established safety protocols in the United States, which mandate the suspension of sporting events when lightning or thunderstorm risks are detected near venues. This incident underscores the paramount importance of player and fan safety in major international tournaments.

Keywords: # World Cup 2026 # France # Iraq # Dembélé # Mbappé # football # USA # Canada # Mexico