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The eyes of the world were mesmerised by the untouchable Lionel Messi as he wrote himself into history by scoring a stunning hat-trick to give Argentina the perfect start to their World Cup title defence, beating Algeria 3-0 in Kansas.The game was an exhibition of Messi's talent on his favourite stage of all. Sharp and unerring, he was a level above every other player on the park. Perhaps, even, a class above any other to grace a World Cup finals.His treble ensured he drew level in the all-time scoring charts with Germany's Miroslav Klose on 16 tournament goals, also becoming the the oldest player to score multiple times in a World Cup match, surpassing Roger Milla's record.The 38-year-old was ably supported by Enzo Fernandez, Alexis Mac Allister and club team-mate Rodrigo De Paul, but the night firmly belonged to him as he scored a treble of epic proportions in a display that will be talked about for decades. His 61st career hat-trick.The first was engineered by De Paul, delivering a cutting through ball to Messi in the pocket, and he shaped a lovely strike beyond Luca Zidane - son of France legend Zinedine Zidane.The second arrived early in the second half, turning home a parried effort from Mac Alisster, before the third from the edge of the area, a low, bending strike, gave him his crowning moment. He was subbed off to a standing ovation shortly after from a heavily pro-Argentina crowd. But even those of an Algerian persuasion will have been delighted to witness the magician up close.The goals came 20 years to the day that the No 10 made his World Cup debut for Argentina in a match against Serbia and Montenegro - he scored in that one, too.

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Erling Haaland starred on his World Cup debut, scoring twice to help Norway to a 4-1 win over Iraq in Boston.The Manchester City striker was kept quiet in the first 28 minutes - with the sum of his chances a towering header that went well over the bar - but he was soon off the mark when he tapped in a square ball from Wolves defender David Moller Wolfe.It was the 11th competitive appearance in which he had scored for Norway, dating back to November 2024, but also his 51st senior international goal in just 56 appearances.Aymen Hussein - who was held and questioned for around seven hours by authorities when he arrived in the US earlier this month - then levelled with a brilliant header 10 minutes later. It was only Iraq's second-ever World Cup goal and their first in 40 years.But just before the break, Haaland chased down Zaid Tahseen's weak pass back to goalkeeper Jalal Hassan, nipped in front and tapped home to quickly restore Norway's lead with goal number 52.The second half largely lacked the excitement of the first. At times, the tempo slowed to that of a training match. But with 14 minutes of the 90 left to play, substitute Leo Ostigard was able to run unchallenged to meet Martin Odegaard's corner and head home.And deep into stoppage time, they managed a fourth when Haaland's towering header was turned over the line by the unfortunate Hussein at the far post, which added the gloss and ensured Norway got off to a winning start.The victory puts them top of Group I on goal difference following France's 3-1 win over Senegal in the earlier game.The Austrian Bundesliga, the Bundesliga, the Premier League, the Champions League. Everywhere Erling Haaland has gone, in every competition he has played in, he has settled immediately.So it was perhaps no surprise one of the world's most fearsome strikers would take to the World Cup like a duck to water, too.Less than 30 minutes into his tournament debut - and Norway's first appearance since 1998 - he was off the mark with a tap-in. Before the break, he had taken advantage of a calamitous error to score another. He played a part in the fourth goal, too.And all that with just 20 touches throughout the entirety of the game in Boston. That is nothing new, but it is a reminder of the devastating impact he can have without touching the ball.The 25-year-old is among the favourites for the Golden Boot and it is easy to see why. But you would not bet against him making significant progress towards Miroslav Klose's all-time record of 16 World Cup goals either...

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Kylian Mbappe became the highest scorer in France's history as his sensational double powered Les Bleus to a 3-1 win over Senegal in their Group I World Cup opener in New Jersey.After equalling Olivier Giroud's record of 57 goals with a first-time finish from Michael Olise's defence-splitting pass in the second half, the Real Madrid forward became the outright leading scorer on 58 with a sensational long-range finish in stoppage time.He now moves to 14 goals at World Cups, putting him level with Germany legend Gerd Muller in the all-time scoring charts and behind only Ronaldo, who hit 15 for Brazil, and Miroslav Klose, who holds the record with his total of 16 for Germany.Mbappe's stunning second goal came only two minutes after Senegal substitute Ibrahim Mbaye, a young player billed as the next Mbappe, had pulled one back following a delicate, chipped finish by Bradley Barcola for France's second of the game.But Mbappe had the final say in spectacular fashion having earlier been controversially denied a penalty following a challenge by Sadio Mane when referee Alireza Faghani stuck with his on-field decision despite having been sent to the monitor by the VAR.France's explosive second-half performance came after a dire first-half showing during which they only mustered one shot despite head coach Didier Deschamps naming a front four of Mbappe, Olise, Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue.Senegal looked the more dangerous side in that period but came to regret their missed chances, with Ismaila Sarr the main culprit having fired over from six yards out in first-half stoppage time. France, and Mbappe in particular, made them pay.

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Iran put their turbulent build-up to the World Cup behind them as they fought back twice to secure a 2-2 draw with New Zeland in what was the game of the tournament so far.After a bright start from Iran, New Zealand took the lead in the seventh minute after Nottingham Forest striker Chris Wood held the ball up at well and combined with Motherwell forward Eli Just, who steered a volley past goalkeeper Alireza Behranvand.Iran repsonded well as Ramin Rezaeian found an equaliser but Just grabbed his second of the game 10 minutes into the second half as combined with Wood again before rounding off a flowing team move to put New Zeland on course for a first World Cup win.However, Iran hit back again. Rezaeian swung in a cross from the right and Mohammad Mohebbi guided a header in off the foot of the post to secure a draw that leaves all four teams in Group G on one point following Belgium's 1-1 draw with Egypt.Protestors gathered outside Sofi Stadium, calling for change in Tehran ahead of Iran's first game at the World Cup.Iran's anthem was jeered by some sections of the crowd in LA7: GOAL! Just's strike game New Zealand lead against the run of play32: GOAL! Rezaeian brought Iran level as the first hydration break broke New Zealand's momentum54: GOAL!: Just combined with Wood for a second time to give New Zealand the lead again

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Maxi Araujo’s late goal salvaged a 1-1 draw for Uruguay against Saudi Arabia as goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais was the hero.The Saudi goalkeeper made a string of saves to keep his side in front and while the clean sheet was denied him, his player-of-the-match performance succeeded in frustrating the two-time World Cup winners led by former Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa.Saudi Arabia had looked on course to find themselves top of Group H after the first round of games when Abdulelah Al-Amri poked the ball into Fernando Muslera's net late in the first half after the veteran goalkeeper could only parry Mohamed Kanno's header.But Uruguay were much improved in the second half, adding greater urgency following the half-time withdrawal of ex-Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez. Manuel Ugarte of Manchester United had a shot tipped against the post by Al-Owais on the hour.But Araujo finally scored after Al-Owais could only push another Federico Vinas header into his path. Uruguay were well worth it and were close to a winner as Miami's heat tired their opponents but will feel they escaped given how late the equaliser came.5: Al-Owais pushes a Vina snap-shot away from goal30: Vinas heads at goal but Al-Owais is able to save38: Al-Amri's shot on the angle is tipped over by Muslera41: GOAL! Al-Amri takes this chance to stun Uruguay60: Ugarte's shot is tipped against the post by Al-Owais80: GOAL! Araujo fires home on the angle to equalise90+3: Valverde's shot is pushed around the post by Al-Owais

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Egypt were denied a first-ever World Cup win after Romelu Lukaku forced an own-goal equaliser just seconds after coming on to rescue a 1-1 draw for Belgium in their Group G opener.Emam Ashour's superb 19th-minute opener from distance in the searing Seattle heat gave Egypt their first World Cup half-time lead.But the seven-time Africa Cup of Nations winners could not hold on to end their 92-year wait for a first win at the tournament as Belgium's all-time top scorer Lukaku made an immediate impact off the bench.Just 22 seconds after coming on, the Napoli striker forced a Mohamed Hany own goal from Thomas Meunier's cross.Belgium then nearly completed the turnaround, but Egypt goalkeeper Mostafa Shobier superbly saved Brandon Mechele's header, while Lukaku headed over a late chance.An exciting end-to-end contest at Seattle Stadium saw veterans Kevin De Bruyne and Mohamed Salah face off, with both having their moments.On his 34th birthday, Salah gifted Ashour his fine opener to become the first African player on record (since 1966) to register a World Cup goal involvement on their birthday.But De Bruyne did his best to spoil the former Liverpool star's big day as he hit the post with a second-half free-kick before having Belgium's first shot on target as he sparked the Red Devils into life.The 34-year-old, though, needed his Napoli team-mate Lukaku to help salvage a point off the bench as Belgium face Iran next while Egypt take on New Zealand.20: GOAL! Ashour hammers home a fine opener for his first Egypt goal.33: SAVE! Courtois superbly saves Zico's low shot across goal to deny Egypt a second.45+1: MISS! Doku blazes his close-range volley over as Belgium fail to have a shot on target in the first half.53: OFF THE POST! De Bruyne hits a free-kick that bends onto the wrong side of the post.55: IT SHOULD BE 2-0! Courtois pushes Salah's header straight to Ashour, but he lashes wide.63: BIG CHANCE! De Bruyne has Belgium's first shot on target but he places it straight at the goalkeeper.66: OWN GOAL EQUALISER! Instant impact from Lukaku just 22 seconds forces a Mohamed Hany own goal.82: TOP SAVE! Egypt goalkeeper Shobeir denies Mechele's header at full stretch.

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Cape Verde pulled off one of the biggest shocks in World Cup history as the African debutants held tournament favourites Spain to a goalless draw in Atlanta.One of the biggest mismatches in football history has produced one of the biggest results, with Cape Verde the third-smallest nation to ever compete in a World Cup - but they showed the biggest heart.Among the heroes included 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha, who played in Portugal's second division last season and made four outstanding stops.He tipped over Mikel Oyarazabal's header, saved low from Ferran Torres' close-range effort, tipped Aymeric Laporte's goalbound header around the corner and then denied Mikel Merino and Marc Cucurella from inside the box late on.Second to Vozinha to man of the match was Shamrock Rovers' Pico Lopes - who denied Oyarazabal with a stunning last-ditch block on 88 minutes to deny a certain winner.Cape Verde could have even won it as Diney Borges was found unmarked at a late, rare corner - only for it to be blocked into goalkeeper Unai Simon's path.But Spain were also poor and wasteful, with Torres missing a first-half sitter by hitting the bar from six yards. Even after sending on Lamine Yamal from the bench, Spain could not find an answer.It is quite simply a football result that will reverberate around the world.

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Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres were in fine form as Sweden cruised to a comfortable 5-1 victory against Tunisia to kickstart their World Cup campaign in Group F.Brighton's Yasin Ayari scored the pick of the goals with two stunning long-range strikes, on either side of the game in both the sixth and 96th minute, but the performances of Sweden's star forwards put the fixture firmly in their control.Shortly after Ayari's first, with his celebrations muted out of respect for the birthplace of his father and a country he could have represented, Alexander Isak doubled their lead in the 40th minute.Viktor Gyokeres laid the ball off to the Liverpool striker near the halfway line before he drove forward, cut in on his right foot and slotted the ball into the bottom right corner.Omar Rekin halved the deficit for Tunisia just before half-time with his glancing header to spark hopes of a comeback (43) but Gyokeres' fine finish quickly restored the two-goal lead (59) after Isak turned provider on this occasion.Substitute Mattias Svanberg, 18 seconds after coming on, then swept a fourth into the back of the net as time ticked down (84). The offside flag initially went up, but a lengthy VAR review revealed a slight touch from Isak meant the midfielder had returned to an onside position.A second stunner from Ayari, with this one too good not to celebrate, then rounded off the dominant performance for Graham Potter's side.They sit at the top of Group F following the win after Japan equaliser in the 89th-minute to hold the Netherlands to a 2-2 draw on Sunday.7: GOAL! Ayari stunner gives Sweden an early lead after Gyokeres' strike cleared off the line30: GOAL! Solo effort from Isak doubles Sweden's advantage - is he getting back to his best?43: GOAL! Rekik meets Mejbri's cross to halve the deficit for Tunisia with glancing header59: GOAL! Gyokeres sweeps third in for Sweden to restore two-goal lead84: GOAL! Svanberg goal allowed to stand after VAR review, scoring 18 seconds after coming on90+6: GOAL! Ayari scores second stunner to round off dominant win

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Man Utd winger Amad Diallo came off the bench to net a 90th-minute strike to get Ivory Coast's World Cup off to the perfect start with a 1-0 win over Ecuador in Group E.The forward was a surprise absentee from Emerse Fae's starting line-up but channeled any frustration in the best way possible after replacing Bazoumana Toure 10 minutes into the second half, sidefooting the winner smartly beyond Hernan Galindez after a lung-busting run down from Wilfried Singo down the right flank.It provided Ecuador a painful start to their World Cup campaign and to end their 19-game unbeaten streak, which looked well in tact in an opening half-hour where they twice struck the crossbar through John Yeboah and Alan Minda, defying their pre-match expectations by dominating the early exchanges with and without the ball.They never got back to those early heights and increasingly appeared at the mercy of Ivory Coast during the brief moments the 2023 AFCON champions clicked - with Yan Diomande lively almost throughout but with his end product often lacking.Elye Wahi struck the crossbar for Fae's side in the second half before the introduction of Amad and Ange-Yoan Bonny breathed new life into them, but it would took until the final minute of normal time for it to count when the Manchester United winger sparked wild celebrations among the entire squad 12 years to the day since their last World Cup win.It was a surprise to plenty around Philadelphia including, most likely, Amad Diallo himself that he was not named in Emerse Fae's starting line-up.He had not started any of the Ivory Coast's three friendlies since their African Cup of Nations exit in January but did net their winner against France in their one warm-up gamea head of the World Cup - so to see Yan Diomande shifted over to the right to accommodate Bazoumana Toure was even more head scratching.It was clear from even his fervent half-time warm-up that the decision was going to soon be reversed and sure enough, the Ivory Coast improved in the final third once his number came up in the 56th minute both through is own contribution but also that of Diomande when restored to his favoured left flank.It would be a shock if he does not now keep his place against Germany on Saturday evening though Fae's biggest problems in that game will likely come at the other end of the field, given how close Ecuador - who had scored just 14 goals in 18 qualifying games - came to taking the lead in the opening half hour before the Ivory Coast came into the game.Certainly, a Germany side who put seven past Curacao in their opener will not be so generous.