Malo Gusto made his first World Cup appearance in a 3-0 win that sent France into the last 32. The bad taste of a more than two-hour delay did not stop France from controlling the match in Philadelphia.
Gusto came on in the 83rd minute for Jules Kounde, giving him his first minutes at the FIFA World Cup. He had started the tournament on the bench, including France's opening game against Senegal in New Jersey.
France were already ahead when the delay hit. Kylian Mbappe scored in less than 15 minutes, then added a second after Ousmane Dembele seized possession from an overhit backpass, before Dembele finished the scoring from Michael Olise's pass.
France In Philadelphia
The match kicked off at 5pm local time and finished at 9pm after being suspended at half-time because of bad weather. France still found a way through the disruption, and the result was enough to secure a place in the last 32 with one group game left.
Mbappe's first goal was his 100th appearance milestone, and it was also his 11th goal in his last 12 international games. His second was the fourth of this World Cup, which underlined how quickly France had turned the game before the stoppage.
Gusto And Jules Kounde
Gusto's late entry was the main selection note for France after the result was settled. He replaced Kounde, and the switch gave him a first World Cup run-out without changing the shape of a match that France had already put beyond Iraq.
That leaves Friday's group game against Norway with top spot still to be settled. France have already done the hard part by getting through, and Gusto now has his first tournament minutes to build on if he keeps his place.
