Mbappé marks 100th cap with double as France advance past Iraq

Mbappé bags a brace on his 100th cap as France qualify

Kylian Mbappé scored twice, France beat Iraq 3–0, and Les Bleus are through to the Round of 16 (1) (2) (3). It was his 100th cap, and he marked it the way you would expect, with both goals in a match that doubled as the longest in World Cup history.

A thunderstorm hit Philadelphia and forced a 132-minute delay, a tournament record (5) (8) (16). Players stretched, talked, cycled on stationary bikes, whatever it took to stay ready (7) (9). France returned to the pitch and did not lose focus.

Mbappé now has the Golden Boot race in sight. Lionel Messi also scored a double as Argentina beat Austria 2–0 (15). "C'est pas mon débat," Mbappé said when asked about the scoring duel (1).

Norway await on Friday to decide the group

Norway beat Senegal 3–2 and qualified alongside France (6) (13) (17). That sets up a group decider on Friday at 21:00, winner takes top spot in Group I (14) (15).

Erling Haaland did not sound optimistic. "Ils vont probablement nous battre et gagner la Coupe du monde," he said, they will probably beat us and win the World Cup (4).

The stakes are real. First place means a kinder knockout draw. Second place complicates everything (14) (15).

Senegal's late goal keeps the path open

Senegal scored late against Norway, and that goal matters for France. Norway's goal difference took a hit, which means a draw against Norway on Friday still secures first place for Les Bleus (13).

Fan reactions

The two-hour delay turned into a strange communal moment. Some fans were just trying to figure out whether to go to sleep or wait it out (Reddit). Others noticed the broadcast stayed on the stadium instead of cutting to ads, and the human moments won people over, fans dancing in the rain, players trying to stay warm. One thread called it the most wholesome part of the tournament so far (Reddit).

Watch the stadium moments