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At 5 PM on June 22nd (4 AM on June 23rd in Vietnam time), the second group stage match of the World Cup between France and Iraq took place at Lincoln Financial Field stadium (Philadelphia, USA). During halftime, heavy rain began, forcing a temporary suspension of the match. From the locker rooms, both the French and Iraqi teams were informed that the halftime break would be extended from 15 to 30 minutes. This was the first time a World Cup match had been interrupted for more than two hours due to heavy rain and lightning just before the start of the second half. |
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In the first half, France's captain Kylian Mbappe successively bypassed Iraq's defenders. In the 14th minute, he successfully scored against the opposing team. Mbappe played brilliantly until he was interrupted by actual lightning strikes within a 13km radius of the stadium. US safety regulations require that if lightning strikes within a 14km radius of a match venue, the game must be suspended for 30 minutes. |
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As heavy rain poured down, large screens around the stadium displayed instructions for spectators to find safe shelter: "Please leave the outdoor seating area and seek shelter inside the stadium as directed by staff." |
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Outside, it was pouring rain. From 6:07 p.m. to 6:27 p.m. (local time), the rainfall in Philadelphia reached 1.5 cm – considered heavy, potentially causing localized flooding. Half an hour passed, and the sun had disappeared from the field, just like the players. In the US, sporting events are often interrupted by thunderstorms and lightning. Philadelphia is located near Florida, known as the lightning capital, and experiences an average of 20 thunderstorm days during the peak season of June and July. |
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When the stadium announcer tried to mimic Michael Buffer's voice and informed the 68,000 spectators that the second half was still delayed due to bad weather, the fans were far from happy. They booed as if the "VAR on the air" system had robbed them of the chance to watch a football match they had paid for. However, many others tried to look on the bright side and patiently waited. |
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Around 8 PM, the rain stopped, and the players were announced to take to the field amidst cheers from the spectators. The pitch was significantly affected by the heavy rain. The French and Iraqi players passed the ball back and forth through puddles. The ball rolled and stopped, sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly. The organizers had to deploy personnel to clear the standing water. |
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Mbappe unexpectedly became the center of attention on social media when images of him supervising cleaning staff cleaning up water on the pitch went viral. He shook hands and watched them dry the water. The Les Bleus captain tried to help by pointing down at the grass as if instructing the cleaning staff on where to wipe. Many fans jokingly called him "the admiral" or "the head of cleaning." |
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As the match resumed, French fans cheered again when Mbappe scored another goal in the 54th minute. Dembélé's goal in the 66th minute sealed a 3-0 victory for Didier Deschamps' side. |
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The harsh weather conditions did not diminish the appeal of the match. Mbappe's memorable performance in his 100th game for the French national team thrilled the audience. |
Source: https://znews.vn/tran-mua-chua-tung-thay-o-world-cup-post1662370.html
