Lionel Messi made history on Tuesday, scoring a hat-trick in Argentina's dominant 3-0 victory over Algeria in their opening match of the 2026 World Cup.

• Messi equaled the World Cup all-time goals record with 16 goals, joining Miroslav Klose.
• The match marked Messi's record-breaking sixth World Cup appearance and his 200th international cap.
• Fellow stars Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland also found the net multiple times in their respective teams' opening games.

France kicked off their World Cup campaign with a 3-1 victory over Senegal, largely thanks to a brace from star forward Kylian Mbappe.

• Kylian Mbappe scored his 13th and 14th World Cup goals, moving him level with Gerd Mueller.
• Other notable matches included Argentina's preparation for their tournament opener and a surprise goalless draw between Spain and debutants Cape Verde.
• Erling Haaland is set to make his World Cup finals debut for Norway.

Erling Haaland scored twice on Norway's return to the FIFA World Cup stage, helping them secure a 4-1 victory over Iraq.

• Erling Haaland netted 2 goals, marking his team's first major tournament appearance in 26 years.
• Norway's coach Stale Solbakken praised Haaland for adapting to the pressure, stating the "occasion wasn't too big for him."
• Haaland now has 57 international goals in 51 appearances for Norway.