Some Drank Water, Others Ate: How France's Players Spent the Forced Break

France's footballers worked to maintain their focus during the more than two-hour delay in their match against Iraq, which they ultimately won 3-0. The second half was postponed due to a storm in the area, triggering the standard protocol for such situations: a mandatory 30-minute pause for even a single lightning strike within an 8 km radius of the stadium. Each subsequent lightning strike resets this half-hour countdown.

"It felt endless, but we handled it professionally. We told ourselves we needed to stay concentrated for the second half, making it as intense as the first. I think we managed it well," commented midfielder Manu Koné, who made his first start for the 'Les Bleus'.

"We tried to stay alert, especially mentally, so we wouldn't lose our rhythm. Everyone tried to activate themselves as best they could; we played a bit with the ball. Some drank water, others ate. The important thing was to be ready the moment the referees signaled us to warm up," added winger Manes Akliouche, as quoted by BTA.

"I think we handled it quite well. Once we realized it would be a longer delay, we had time to talk and relax a bit, and then when we knew the match would resume, we refocused," said Barcelona defender Jules Kounde.