Lionel Messi and defending World Cup champions Argentina are set to face Austria in Dallas on Monday, with the Argentine captain poised to break the all-time World Cup scoring record. Messi, who will turn 39 on Wednesday, matched Germany’s Miroslav Klose’s record of 16 World Cup goals after netting a hat-trick in Argentina’s 3-0 opening victory over Algeria.
Messi appeared emotional following his first goal, with reports revealing that his father is currently recovering from an undisclosed health issue. Despite these personal challenges and a hamstring injury that complicated his World Cup preparation, Messi’s influence on the team remains substantial. Midfielder Alexis Mac Allister described him as indispensable, saying, “If anyone thought this group was better off without Leo, today it became clear that Leo is the most important of them all.” Argentina can secure advancement to the knockout stage with a win against Austria and could top Group J if Jordan fails to defeat Algeria later Monday.
Meanwhile, France’s Kylian Mbappe will mark a milestone by playing his 100th international match when France face Iraq in Philadelphia. The 27-year-old star, already on 14 World Cup goals and tied with West Germany’s Gerd Muller, added twice in France’s 3-1 win over Senegal in their Group I opener. Mbappe acknowledged the significance of reaching 100 caps at a World Cup, calling it “a special match.” France, finalists in 2022 after losing to Argentina on penalties, are expected to comfortably win against Iraq, though the match could face interruptions due to forecasted thunderstorms.
Norway, bolstered by Erling Haaland’s two goals in their 4-1 victory over Iraq, can also guarantee progression from Group I if they defeat Senegal in New Jersey and France beat Iraq.
Elsewhere, Spain revitalized their campaign with a 4-0 victory over Saudi Arabia after a disappointing goalless draw against Cape Verde in their opener. Barcelona’s young talent Lamine Yamal, returning from a hamstring injury, opened the scoring, followed by two goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and an own goal from the Saudi side. Spain coach Luis De la Fuente cited criticism of their first match as motivation, stating, “When someone questions your work, it is only human that anyone with courage and pride reacts to prove people wrong.”
Cape Verde, making their World Cup debut, secured a second draw by holding Uruguay to a 2-2 tie in Miami. Their coach Bubista expressed optimism about the team’s chances of advancing from the group, a prospect once considered unlikely.
In Group G action, Belgium remains winless after a 0-0 draw with Iran in Los Angeles. The Belgian side, nicknamed the Red Devils, finished the match with 10 men and struggled to break down a disciplined Iranian defense. The Iranian team left a message in the dressing room emphasizing peace and friendship amid ongoing negotiations to end conflict between their country and the United States. The note read, “May peace, respect and friendship prevail among all nations.”
Egypt recorded their first-ever World Cup victory on Sunday with a 3-1 comeback win over New Zealand, moving to the top of Group G following their initial draw with Belgium.