Kylian Mbappé scores 2 goals to lead France to 3-0 win over Iraq and into World Cup knockout stage

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Kylian Mbappé scored twice to move into a tie for second place in career World Cup goals with 16, and France played through the tournament’s first rain delay to beat Iraq 3-0 on Monday and advance to the knockout stage.

Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembélé also scored for Les Bleus, giving fans who braved a rainy night in Philadelphia a reason to celebrate.

Mbappé scored in the 14th and 54th minutes to cap a momentous and soggy 100th international appearance for one of the best players in the world.

Mbappé had a chance to complete a hat-trick on a late breakaway but missed before being substituted in the 90th minute.

Mbappé’s first goal gave France a 1-0 lead heading into halftime, when heavy rain and an incoming thunderstorm prompted a delay of just over two hours and forced the grounds crew to squeegee water off the swampy Kentucky bluegrass field.