Three of the world's best put on a show Tuesday, as several heavy favorites rode spectacular efforts to claim three points.
Argentine, France, and Norway rode multi-goal games from Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, and Erling Haaland as all three countries won their group openers before Austria topped Jordan in the nightcap behind a strong second half.
How impressive was the scoring today? Well Mbappe started the day one goal behind Messi on the all-time World Cup list, ended his match ahead of him by one, and finished the night behind by two.
Lionel Messi is now the joint top #FIFAWorldCup goalscorer 🔝📊 pic.twitter.com/0wtOUS2ylM
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) June 17, 2026
This tournament continues to be the best.
ARGENTINA 3, ALGERIA 0
Messi started his World Cup campaign with a long range effort in the 17th minute as no one from Algeria stepped up to stop the ball as La Albiceleste broke forward. Messi fired a hard shot that Luca Zidane (son of Zinedine) could only parry into the top corner.
At the hour mark, Alexis Mac Allister's long range shot was initially saved by Zidane, but the rebound spilled to an on rushing Messi who tucked it home for Argentina's second. Fifteen minutes later the hat trick was complete, with Messi receiving the ball at the top of the box from Nico Gonzalez and with time and space fired a low shot into the corner to secure Argentina's victory.
Algeria had several bright spells in possession but never really put any significant danger on Emiliano Martinez's goal despite a handful of set piece chances. The introductions of Riyad Mahrez and Mohamed Amoura in the second half wasn't enough to change the performance for Les Fennecs.
Sam Lattof
NORWAY 4, IRAQ 1
Erling Haaland scored twice in the first half and Norway tallied two more in the second to claim a victory in their first World Cup match since 1998.
TBM was on site at Gillette Boston Stadium for this one, Sam Lattof has the full recap for us.
Obviously the goals from Haaland are the talking point, a sliding backpost finish at the half hour mark followed by a mistake at the back right before halftime between centerback Zaid Tahseen and keeper Jalal Hassan saw Haaland block the keepers clearance straight back for Norway's second.
In between Haaland's efforts, Iraq found a deserved equalizer as Amir Al-Ammari was played through down the left channel by Ali Jasim. The ensuing cross from the endline chalk by Al-Ammari found Aymen Hussein who rose above his marker and nodded down the finish into the near corner.
It's a shame that mistake probably took Iraq out of the match because it might have been very different if it had been 1-1 at the half. Still, Iraq had several bright moments but in the end the set piece and box prowess from Norway proved too much. Still history for Iraq as Aymen Hussein joins Ahmed Radhi as the only goalscorers for the Lions of Mesopotamia, Radhi scoring in the 1986 World Cup against Belgium.
FRANCE 3, SENEGAL 1
For about the first hour, Senegal held France in check. But once France found their rhythm they were not to be denied.
Three second half goals including two from Kylian Mbappe were enough to see off Senegal from East Rutherford, NJ.
France was knocking on the door before Mbappe's first with Michael Olise forcing a save from Edouard Mendy then VAR reviewed a possible Sadio Mane foul on Mbappe at the hour mark but center referee Alireza Faghani stayed with his original no call decision.
France would get their breakthrough in the 66th, with a superbly threaded pass from Olise to a cutting Mbappe who shot across his body to slot home the opener. Senegal thought they had an immediate answer when Nicolas Jackson fired past Mike Maignan two minutes later only for the offside flag to deny the Lions of Teranga.
Jake Catanese
In the 82nd, it was Adrien Rabiot as the provider, with a long through ball into the path of Bradley Barcola who chipped it over Mendy. Senegal did claw one back in stoppage time when 18 year old PSG man Ibrahim Mbaye put a defender on his backside and powered a finish into the French net. Apparently Mbappe took offense to this and immediately decided to restore Les Bleus' two goal advantage when he collected a ball twenty-five yards out and unleashed a ripper that Mendy could not keep out.
France and Norway's wins set up a potential final matchday showdown in Group I. First Norway will play Senegal in East Rutherford and France plays Iraq in Philadelphia, Group I action continues on Monday, June 22.
AUSTRIA 3, JORDAN 1
Two late goals saw Austria claim all three points against debutants Jordan that saw The Boys keep pace with Argentina in Group J.
Austria started things off in the 20th minute when Xaver Schlager slid a pass over to Romano Schmid at the top of the box and Werder Bremen man found the top corner from twenty yards out.
Jordan however would grow into the match with with Mousa Al Tamari doing everything he could to restore the scoreline. Just after halftime however, it would be his strike partner Ali Olwan on a long run after Noor Al-Rawabden recovered a turnover in midfield. The Jordanian striker went on a half field jaunt before cutting inside the box and smashing home off the far post for the Chivalrous Ones.
Jake Catanese
However, Austria started to apply a lot of pressure, and thought they had a go ahead goal from Marko Arnautovic in the 70th only for VAR to intervene for a handball in the build up. Jordan's luck would run out a few minutes later, when an Austrian corner took two deflections on the way through with Yazan Al-Arab's shoulder eventually getting credit for Austria's second.
A late handball deep into stoppage time saw VAR award a penalty to Austria and Arnautovic dispatched the spot kick for the 3-1 final. Jordan probably hard done by the final scoreline as they played very well but Austria also thinking they deserved all three goals to their credit.
Argentina and Austria now play what could be the decisive game of Group J next when they meet in Dallas while Jordan and Algeria try to get a crucial three points to keep their knockout hopes alive, both matches on Monday, June 22.
