Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland were outgunned but not by much. Both scored twice as France and Norway posted commanding Group I victories. It was, all told, a brilliant day of football, albeit one dominated by some of the pre-tournament favourites.
Tuesday's Group I and Group J Results
The full scorelines from Tuesday's action:
- Group I: France 3, Senegal 1
- Group I: Iraq 1, Norway 4
- Group J: Argentina 3, Algeria 0
- Group J: Austria 3, Jordan 1
Is Messi Looking Even Better?
Three and a half years ago in Qatar, Messi bent the World Cup to his will. He played as if he was on a second date with destiny, desperate to make up for past failures and yet also, somehow, a picture of equanimity at the centre of the cyclone. When he lifted the trophy after Argentina overcame France in an all-timer of a final, it felt like the perfect denouement to one of the great World Cup stories. Signed, sealed, delivered.
Messi, though had other ideas. He tried to keep people guessing, never formally confirming that he wanted to stick around until 2026, but everyone knew. If he was still playing, his legs still just about keeping up with that whipsmart mind, how could he possibly resist one last hurrah?
The logical view was that he would have a less central role this time. Messi will turn 39 next week. When he last played in a worldwide competition, the Club World Cup with Inter Miami last summer, he looked physically diminished. It was sad but understandable. Time comes for us all.
On a muggy night in Kansas City, Messi ripped up the rulebook for roughly the 183rd time in his career. He was electric. He looked leaner and meaner than he has for years. He scored all of Argentina's goals against Algeria but he also tracked back, snapped into tackles, one of which could easily have led to a red card, and swapped gleeful passes with those behind him. The overall impression was of a man in his element, high on his own vivacity.
It's a beautiful moment. I'm feeling really good.
Messi told reporters after the final whistle with the match ball in his possession. Not only had he just dominated the game, but he had also added yet another record to an ever-growing list, matching Klose as the highest scorer in World Cup history with 16. He will surely break it in the weeks, or more likely days, ahead.
That Messi is feeling good was obvious to anyone watching. Many players trade on past glories at this stage of their career. Tuesday was proof that Messi remains shockingly, gloriously relevant.
Will Mbappe or Haaland Approach Immortality This Summer?
Two of the other great individual talents at this World Cup had already shown off their wares on Tuesday. First came Mbappe. The France captain had a testing season for his club, Real Madrid. There were whispers of disquiet behind the scenes and criticism of his work ethic. Around 96 million people have clicked through on a website set up by a group of disgruntled fans calling for him to leave the club. It did not seem like ideal preparation for his World Cup run.
Mbappe still delivered on the pitch, scoring twice in France's 3-1 Group I win over Senegal. Haaland matched that output with two goals of his own as Norway routed Iraq 4-1 in the same group.
