France 3-0 Iraq After 2-Hour Storm Delay - Messi, Haaland and Algeria Also Win

June 22 at the World Cup was supposed to be about goals. It became about lightning, squeegees, and a halftime that lasted longer than some prime ministers.

Four matches across the US reshaped Groups I and J. The headline: France beat Iraq 3-0 in Philadelphia - but only after the tournament’s first weather delay, a 2-hour, 10-minute stoppage at Lincoln Financial Field.

France 3-0 Iraq - storm in Philadelphia

Kylian Mbappe scored twice. Ousmane Dembele got his first major tournament goal. France qualified for the last 32 with a game to spare.

The drama was the sky.

At halftime, with France leading 1-0, thunderstorms rolled over the Delaware Valley. Referee Drew Fischer kept players in the tunnel. Fans were told to seek shelter. Grounds crews pushed water off the pitch with squeegees - the same stadium where an NFL game was delayed 65 minutes for lightning last season.

The second half finally kicked off nearly three hours after Mbappe’s first goal. His second came after Iraq keeper Ahmed Basil mishandled a short goal-kick.

Mbappe now has 16 World Cup goals - level with Miroslav Klose. Lionel Messi passed everyone earlier that day with 18.

France top Group I with 6 points. Iraq have 0 but can still chase a third-place playoff spot.

Argentina 2-0 Austria - Messi makes history

In Dallas, Lionel Messi scored both goals in a 2-0 win. That took him to 18 career World Cup goals - a new record, passing Klose.

Argentina clinched the knockout round as group leaders. Messi has scored five of Argentina’s goals at this tournament. A dead rubber against Jordan on the final matchday may mean limited minutes for the captain.

Norway 3-2 Senegal - Haaland’s Viking row

At MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, Erling Haaland scored twice as Norway edged Senegal 3-2 in a five-goal thriller.

Marcus Pedersen opened the scoring. Haaland struck in the 48th and 58th minutes - one bounced in off the crossbar. Ismaila Sarr replied with a brace for Senegal, but it was not enough.

Norway joined France in the last 32. They meet on Friday to decide who tops Group I. Senegal need a big win over Iraq and help elsewhere.

The Vikings celebrated with a rowing dance on the pitch. Rain was forecast - it mostly stayed away.

Jordan 1-2 Algeria - debutants out

In Santa Clara, Jordan led through Nizar Al-Rashdan in the 36th minute on their World Cup debut run.

Algeria rallied with two second-half corners: Nadhir Benbouali headed in (69’), Amine Gouiri poked home after a scramble (82’). First World Cup win for Algeria since 2014.

Jordan are eliminated after two losses. Algeria are level on points with Austria and face them in Kansas City on Saturday for a knockout spot.

The day in one line

Messi rewrote the record book in the afternoon. Haaland roared in New York. Algeria killed off a fairytale. And France waited out a storm - then put Iraq away anyway.