Messi Hat-Trick Makes World Cup History As Argentina Beat Algeria, Haaland Shines

Lionel Messi wrote his name deeper into World Cup record books with a stunning hat-trick that fired Argentina to a 3-0 win over Algeria in their opening Group J match and drew him level with Miroslav Klose as the tournament’s all-time leading scorer.

The reigning champions emphatically began their title defence at the Kansas City Stadium, with Messi taking his World Cup tally to 16 goals.

The 38-year-old, making his 200th appearance for Argentina and a record sixth World Cup appearance, also registered the first World Cup hat-trick of his illustrious career.

Argentina scored first in the 17th minute when Messi collected a pass from Rodrigo De Paul and curled a superb effort beyond goalkeeper Luca Zidane, son of French football great Zinedine Zidane.

The match exploded into life from the outset, with both sides seeing early efforts ruled out. Algeria posed threats of their own, while Messi escaped punishment following a reckless challenge on Aissa Mandi midway through the opening half.

Argentina doubled their lead on the hour mark after Zidane’s mistake gifted Messi a simple finish from close range.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner completed his treble in the 76th minute, driving a powerful strike into the net from the edge of the area after dispossessing Nicolas Gonzalez.

The result marked the first time Argentina had won their opening World Cup match as defending champions, having lost their first fixtures in both 1982 and 1990. They now turn their attention to upcoming Group J clashes against Austria and Jordan.

Haaland Double Powers Norway Past Iraq in World Cup Return

Erling Haaland delivered exactly what Norway needed as the Manchester City striker scored twice in a convincing 4-1 victory over Iraq in their first World Cup match in 28 years.

Playing in Boston, Norway made a successful return to football’s biggest stage after last featuring at the tournament in 1998. Haaland’s first-half brace laid the foundation for a crucial win in what has already been labelled the competition’s toughest group.

The Scandinavians appeared nervous during the early stages but settled once Haaland stretched at the back post to convert a cross shortly before the half-hour mark.

Iraq responded brilliantly through Ayman Hussein, whose powerful header restored parity less than 10 minutes later. Their joy was short-lived, however, as Haaland capitalised on an under-hit back-pass. The goalkeeper’s attempted clearance ricocheted off the striker’s knee and into the net.

Iraq threatened again before the interval. David Moller Wolfe produced a vital block to deny a close-range effort, while Akam Hashem narrowly missed the target with a fierce strike.

Norway controlled proceedings more effectively after the break and extended their lead when substitute Leo Ostigard found the net with just over 10 minutes remaining.

Haaland was denied a hat-trick late on, but his looping header forced an own goal from an Iraqi defender as Norway completed an impressive opening-night performance.

Austria Beat Jordan after a dramatic own goal in a World Cup Thriller

Austria survived a stern test from World Cup debutants Jordan to secure a hard-fought 3-1 victory in a dramatic Group J encounter.

Jordan stunned their European opponents just four minutes into the second half when Noor Al-Rawabdeh launched a rapid counter-attack and found Ali Olwan, whose effort struck the post before crossing the line. The goal was Jordan’s first ever at a World Cup finals.

Austria responded through sustained pressure and eventually restored their advantage in the 32nd minute. Marko Arnautovic forced a corner, and Marcel Sabitzer’s delivery into the near post was inadvertently turned into his own net by Yazan Al-Arab.

The match featured several interruptions, including a lengthy VAR review that ruled out what would have been Austria’s second goal after Stefan Posch was adjudged to have handled the ball in the build-up.

Both sides also made a series of substitutions, while Posch and Odeh Fakhoury required treatment following a clash of heads.

Jordan created several dangerous opportunities throughout the game and enjoyed periods of control, but Austria held firm during a tense closing spell that included 10 minutes of added time.

Marko Arnautovic sealed Austria’s lead from the spot in the 11th minute of additional time.