A storm interrupted France's match against Iraq at the 2026 World Cup

Kylian Mbappe wasn't the only one trying to break through the raindrops in one of the most extreme matches in World Cup history. During the first half at Lincoln Financial Field, the French captain easily evaded Iranian defenders and fired a shot that found the top corner of the goal. However, nature turned out to be unpredictable. When lightning appeared within a radius of 13 kilometers from the stadium, the referee had to stop the match. During this time, fans and players were forced to take shelter from the downpour. Iraq coach Graham Arnold tried to protect himself from the rain, which proved to be quite a challenge as his plastic coat stopped protecting after just 12 seconds. The audience was asked to leave the open sectors and find shelter in safer areas of the stadium. Despite unfavorable conditions, the spirit of the team and fans remained unchanged. “You have to be able to adapt,” said Jules Kounde, a French player.  After a long wait, during which as much as 1.5 cm of rain fell on the stadium, the situation began to improve. The fans returned to their seats and the players returned to the pitch after a 131-minute break. Despite difficult conditions, France dominated the second half, with Mbappe scoring to seal a 3-0 victory. Coach Deschamps joked about the situation, saying they were playing cards to kill time. But the real star of this wet evening was none other than Mbappe, who not only scored a goal but also equaled Miroslav Klose's record, which had been broken by Lionel Messi earlier in the day. It was not only an extreme weather experience, but also a demonstration of Mbappe's skills, which showed that even in the most difficult conditions, success can be achieved. --- ## Related Articles 1. [World Cup 2026](https://banthangvn.com/vi/news/world-cup-2026-fifa-tuoc-quyen-tac-nghiep-cua-binh-luan-vien-sau-phat-ngon-gay-tranh-cai) 2. [Brazil Prepares for Crucial Group Stage Clash Against Scotland](https://pitchpulsemedia.com/en/news/brazil-prepares-for-crucial-group-stage-clash-against-scotland)