France's World Cup match against Iraq was suspended at half-time due to extreme weather, with play delayed for two hours because of lightning strikes. Fans were told to seek shelter as a fierce storm swept through Philadelphia. When play resumed, Kylian Mbappe scored a brace as Didier Deschamps' side ran out 3-0 winners. France played the second half without a hydration break after FIFA decided to cancel the temporary stoppage, a decision that drew criticism from fans, staff, and players throughout the tournament.
Weather Delay and Resumption
The match at Lincoln Financial Field became the first World Cup fixture in decades to be disrupted by adverse weather. A fierce lightning storm swept through the area during the half-time interval, with Les Bleus 1-0 up at the time, triggering FIFA's mandatory suspension protocol. With lightning detected within eight miles of the stadium, FIFA's regulations required play to be suspended and forbade a resumption until 30 uninterrupted minutes had passed. After approximately 45 minutes of delay, no restart was imminent, and the broadcaster began showing a replay of the United States' 2-0 victory over Australia. Eventually, the weather cleared, and the match resumed with France securing a comfortable victory.
Messi's Record-Breaking Performance
Earlier in the day, Lionel Messi scored a brace to secure Argentina's place in the knockout stages of the 2026 World Cup, as the South Americans ran out 2-0 winners over Austria. The seasoned Inter Miami star also set a new record for overall World Cup goals scored, with 17 goals, overtaking Miroslav Klose. Messi's first goal came from a stunning strike, and he added a second in stoppage time to seal the win. Argentina fans celebrated wildly, with up to 30,000 Argentine fans crammed into Dallas's Fan Park to watch their hero create history.
Other World Cup Action
In other matches, Norway secured their place in the knockout stages with a 3-2 win over Senegal, thanks to a brace from Erling Haaland. Jordan took a 1-0 lead against Algeria, but Algeria fought back to win 2-1, keeping their World Cup dreams alive. Cape Verde earned a 2-2 draw against Uruguay, with Helio Varela scoring an equalizer just three minutes after coming on. Belgium and Iran played out a goalless draw, leaving both teams with two points from their opening two Group G games.
Controversies and Off-Field Stories
The tournament has seen several controversies, including criticism of hydration breaks, which have been booed by fans. Thomas Tuchel, England manager, voiced his opinion, saying, "I think that it interrupts and changes the identity of a football match much more than I thought." Meanwhile, a Barrow AFC flag was banned from the World Cup because the club's crest features a submarine, classified as weapons imagery. FIFA faced pressure to reconsider their stance, with the MP for Barrow and Furness, Michelle Scrogham, urging FIFA to "reconsider, engage with the club and its fans, and adopt a more proportionate approach."
In other news, ITV pundit Christina Unkel was named the most disliked World Cup pundit according to a study by British Gambler. Jeremy Doku missed Belgium's match against Iran due to a chest infection, but his comments about potentially leaving the World Cup for the birth of his first child sparked debate. L'Equipe presenter France Pierron criticized Doku, saying, "You have to realize that it's truly a privilege to participate in a World Cup," but later apologized. Thomas Partey explained that missing Ghana's World Cup opener due to a visa issue was "just part of football." The Egyptian Football Association confirmed that security authorities rejected the team's request to stay in Seattle, forcing them to return to Spokane.
