Tuesday Results and Schedule
Group I and J play dominated the day, with two finals already in the books and one late kickoff still to come as Group J got underway.
- Final: France 3, Senegal 1
- Final: Argentina 3, Algeria 0
- Wednesday, 12 a.m. ET (FS1, Telemundo): Austria vs. Jordan
France 3, Senegal 1
France kicked off Tuesday with a 3-1 win over Senegal. Kylian Mbappé and Bradley Barcola provided the goals to give manager Didier Deschamps a key three points to open the team's campaign.
Norway 4, Iraq 1
Erling Haaland and Norway's long-awaited return to the World Cup took center stage in the afternoon. The star striker did not disappoint, putting together a first-half brace in a 4-1 blowout win over Iraq.
Argentina 3, Algeria 0
Lionel Messi entered Tuesday one goal away from World Cup history. The Argentina captain delivered the first World Cup hat trick of his career, leading the defending champions to a comfortable 3-0 win over Algeria at Kansas City Stadium.
Messi opened the scoring in the 17th minute. Algeria looked more promising toward the end of the first half as it strung together a few decent attacking chances. A header by Alexis Mac Allister flew well over the goal to end the half. At the break, Argentina led 1-0.
Algeria forced a save from Argentina goalkeeper Emi Martinez when he had to punch away a shot from Fares Chaibi at the near post. After the ensuing corner, the ball ended up going harmlessly out of play.
Argentina made one change at halftime, with Gonzalo Montiel coming off for Nahuel Molina. Messi added his second after the break, reading the rebound off an Alexis Mac Allister shot perfectly and finishing after a Luca Zidane save to double Argentina's lead.
Algeria pushed for an equalizer as the second half wore on. In the 64th minute, former Leicester City and Manchester City star Riyad Mahrez entered for Algeria as part of three changes, replacing Anis Hadj Moussa. Seconds after Mahrez entered the game, Messi had space in the middle of the field again and forced a fantastic save from Zidane.
Lautaro Martinez had a great chance at goal, but his shot was parried away by Zidane. Not long after, Martinez made way for Julian Alvarez. Nicolas Otamendi also entered the game for Thiago Almada.
Messi completed his hat trick late in the match. Just minutes after he was denied a penalty kick, he curled a left-footed shot past Zidane for his third goal of the night. Messi is now tied with Miroslav Klose for most World Cup goals all time with 16. He will get a chance to top the list Monday against Austria.
Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni gave his captain a well-earned rest in the 80th minute after the hat trick put the defending champions firmly in control. Messi left the field to a standing ovation from the Argentina-heavy crowd at Kansas City Stadium, after one of the most memorable performances of the tournament so far.
