Messi scores his first World Cup hat trick for Argentina after France’s Mbappé and Norway’s Haaland net braces
Lionel Messi did one better, scoring his first career World Cup hat trick and tying the all-time record for World Cup goals scored (16) as Argentina routed Algeria 3-0.
Argentina was forced to "suffer" against a "difficult" Algeria side, but tonight's win gives La Albiceleste a sense of calm, coach Lionel Scaloni said after the match.
A masterly performance from the talismanic Messi lifted Argentina to victory, which Scaloni said was important given the shocker four years ago when his team fell 2-1 to Saudi Arabia in its World Cup opener.
“The stumble in Qatar counted," Scaloni told Telemundo. "We had that in mind, and the truth is having won [tonight] gives us a sense of calm for what’s to come.”Lionel Messi did one better, scoring his first career World Cup hat trick and tying the all-time record for World Cup goals scored (16) as Argentina routed Algeria 3-0.
Scaloni added that he hopes to win the next game — against Austria on Monday — so all of his players can get on the pitch.
As for Messi, playing what will most likely be his last World Cup, Scaloni said, "We need to enjoy him, because what he transmits to the whole world is incredible.”
Argentina’s World Cup defense is off to a roaring start.
Powered by a Lionel Messi hat trick, Argentina defeated Algeria 3-0 to start its bid for back-to-back titles.
The 38-year-old Messi was sublime, scoring three times (while a fourth goal was ruled offside).
Algeria played admirably, even winning the possession battle, but it wasn’t enough in the face of one of the greatest to ever kick a soccer ball.
France beat Senegal 3-1 as Mbappe opens 2026 World Cup account
France defeated Senegal 3-1, with star player Kylian Mbappé scoring twice to become France's all-time leading scorer.
Kylian Mbappe pretended to play the flute then hit the highest of notes. In scoring two terrific strikes against Senegal, the frontman became France's all-time leading scorer with 58 goals and the joint-fourth all-time leading World Cup marksman with 14.
After a goalless opening half, the game sprang into life in the second stanza as Mbappe and Bradley Barcola got France's campaign up and running. Senegal pulled a goal back deep into injury time to make it 2-1 but Mbappe had the final word.
Norway's Haaland sparkles on World Cup debut with two goals for 4-1 victory over Iraq
Erling Haaland immediately followed in Mbappe's footsteps with a dynamic double of his own. After a lengthy wait to play on football's biggest stage, the striker wasted no time in making his mark as he hit a fantastic first and a fortuitous second to put Norway on the way to victory.
The Lions of Mesopotamia showed plenty of promise but failed to roar as they spurned a number of chances to make it 2-2. They were punished for their profligacy when Norway substitute defender Leo Ostigard and then an Aymen Hussein own goal, deep into injury time, sealed the rout.
Austria won a match at the World Cup finals for the first time since 1990 as they beat debutants Jordan in San Francisco
The European side took the lead with a stunning 21st-minute strike from Romano Schmid, but Jordan equalised five minutes into the second half thanks to a curled effort from Ali Olwan.
Former Stoke and West Ham forward Marko Arnautovic thought he had restored Austria's lead when he finished a loose ball after Jordan goalkeeper Yazeed Abulaila had failed to deal with a corner.
However, following an intervention from the video assistant referee, the goal was disallowed as television replays showed the ball had hit the arm of Stefan Posch.
But it did not matter as Austria, managed by former Manchester United boss Ralf Rangnick, went back in front in the 76th minute as Yazan Al Arab flicked the ball into his own net after a corner.
Arnautovic then sealed the win when he converted a penalty in the 12th minute of injury time after Saleem Obaid handled the ball.
Austria face Argentina on Monday (18:00 BST) after Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick in the reigning champions ' 3-0 win over Algeria. Messi needs one goal to become the outright top goalscorer in World Cup history as his treble left him on 16 goals, the same as Miroslav Klose of Germany.
Jordan, 67th in the world rankings, will be encouraged by their performance but will need a positive result against Algeria (Tuesday, 04:00 BST) before ending their group campaign against Argentina.
Austria are playing in the finals for the first time since 1998, and this victory was their first since they defeated the United States 2-1 on 19 June 1990.