⏪ Messi magic; Mbappé & Haaland dazzle; Austria win on World Cup return | OneFootball

FULL TIME

FULL TIME: AUSTRIA 3-1 JORDAN

A valiant performance from debutant Jordan is not enough to stop Austria from booking three points on their World Cup return.

GOAL! AUSTRIA 3-1 JORDAN

A very, very late converted penalty by Marko Arnautović gifts Austria a vital goal cushion in the final seconds of the second half.

The substitute finally got his goal on the night after coming on to replace Saša Kalajdžić. He's surely now in line to start for Das Team in their next group stage meeting against Argentina.

CHANCE!

Substitute Ali Al-Azaizeh has a pop and a half-chance from range after doing well to doop his marker outside the area, but his bid for a worldie equaliser can only flash wide of Schlager's goal.

A gargantuan 10 minutes of stoppage time have been awarded...

Anything can happen now...

Stat of note...

That's the fifth own goal scored at the 2026 World Cup, and we're not even done with the first round of group stage fixtures.

GOAL!! AUSTRIA 2-1 JORDAN

But this won't be denied!!

Marko Arnautović rises highest in the box to get involved, but it will go down as an own goal by Yazan Abu Al-Arab after Arnautović was unable to get his head on Marcel Sabitzer's whipped-in corner, with the ball deflecting twice before sailing past Abulaila.

Play resumes again. We'll have 15 minutes remaining ahead of a chunk of added time.

We're at the second of two hydration breaks late into the Bay Area night.

Will we have a final moment to savour before it's all said and done?!

RULED OUT! WE'RE STILL LEVEL!

We're back to one-all after Posch was judged to have committed handball!

Jordan are still in with a chance of bagging at least a point on their World Cup debut.

VAR CHECK!

This may get pulled back on review, with Stefan Posch potentially being flagged for handball.

GOAL!! AUSTRIA 2-1 JORDAN

Austria re-take the lead through record goalscorer and second-half substitute, Marko Arnautović!

It's a moment to forget for Jordanian shot-stopper Yazeed Yazeed Abulaila, who comes off his line to punch away the corner, but he can only fluff his lines before the veteran front-man converts from close range.

GOAL!!! AUSTRIA 1-1 JORDAN

Jordan have scored their first-ever World Cup goal to level matters against Austria!!!

Ali Iyad Olwan is a national hero in an instant!!!

We're back in action for the second 45-minute spell in San Francisco.

Rangnick makes the call for change just before the restart, with Marko Arnautović replacing the ineffective Saša Kalajdžić.

Will there be more goals after the break? This stat via Opta makes us think so!

HALF-TIME: AUSTRIA 1-0 JORDAN

A brilliant hit from Werder Bremen's Romano Schmid is the difference between Austria and Jordan as we enter the half-time interval.

Despite being down a goal, Al-Nashama have given a good account of themselves, and will fancy their chances to get back into the match in the second half.

Austria fans turned up in numbers despite the early hour and will no doubt be pleased with the half-time scoreline.

Austria are sixes and sevens at the back as Jordan look to level the scoreline here.

Rangnick's outfit will need to tighten up in defence if they're to keep their one-goal lead going into the interval.

A friendly reminder that Schmid is Austria's first goalscorer at the World Cup in 28 years.

The last player to score for Austria on the world stage? National hero Andreas Herzog, who converted a stoppage-time penalty in a 2-1 loss against Italy at the Stade de France.

GOAL!! AUSTRIA 1-0 JORDAN

Austria's quality comes to the fore through a delightful strike by Romano Schmid, who opens the scoring in the 20th minute with a curled effort into the top corner from just outside the D.

CHANCE!

Right on schedule, Jordan breaks and forces Schlager into a reaction save to tip a deflected effort over the bar after Pyramids FC youngster Odeh Fakhouri unleashed a drive from range.

Jordan wastes their chance from the corner, though...

At the 15-minute mark, Austria completed 5x (125) the passes that Jordan achieved (25) - per FOX. Despite that, the underdogs have been a greater threat to find the opener with their ability to break with pace.

Some thoughts across the opening minutes from the Austria camp...

"First assessment after ten minutes: Austria with clearly more possession, Jordan waiting for counterattacks, and Stefan Posch winning every duel."

Austria come into tonight's opening fixture in good form, posting four wins in their last five under Ralf Rangnick (4-1-0), which includes wins over Korea Republic (1-0) and Ghana (5-1).

By contrast, Jordan have struggled, picking up just a single win in their last five (1-1-3); a 1-0 result over fellow World Cup attendee Saudi Arabia.

CHANCE!

It's an early opportunity for Jordan, who spring on the counter against Austria, with right-back Ehsan Haddad getting into the area to unleash a low drive, but he can only watch it fly into Alexander Schlager's side-netting.

And we're underway in the Bay Area!

It's a first-ever competitive meeting between these two nations, with Jordan becoming the 83rd unique nation to feature at a World Cup.

Austria and Jordan take the pitch in San Francisco.

We're set for national anthems, and then we're underway for the final match across a full slate of World Cup action.

More post-match from Argentina-Algeria.

Messi's hat-trick is the fourth-straight produced by a CONMEBOL nation at the World Cup.

More on the Golden Boot race, it features a whopping four players who bagged a brace in their World Cup debut.

This summer has not failed to produce one story after the next, and we're not even done with the first round of matches.

Ahead of Austria-Jordan, here's an update on the current Golden Boot standings after a day that saw Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, and Erling Haaland blitz the competition.

🚨 LINE UP ALERT

Austria and Jordan name their XI's for the final clash of a long day of football.

It's the first time Das Team have featured at the World Cup since 1998, while Jordan made their first-ever appearance.

FULL TIME: ARGENTINA 3-0 ALGERIA

Nothing further to add. What a way to highlight an already action-packed, story-laden 2026 World Cup.

We'll have six minutes of added time ahead of Argentina kick-starting their title defence in stunning fashion.

GOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAL!!! ARGENTINA 3-0 ALGERIA

We've spoken too soon!!

Messi makes it 3-0!! It's his 16th World Cup goal, his first-ever World Cup hat-trick, and he's now level with Miroslav Klose at the top of the goalscoring pile on the world's biggest stage!

Messi is now the oldest player to complete a World Cup brace, overtaking Cameroonian great Roger Milla.

GOAL!! ARGENTINA 2-0 ALGERIA

It's a brace for Lionel Messi!

He's now the SEVENTH player to bag a two-goal effort to open group play at the 2026 World Cup.

An instinctual finish from the Argentine great, and that should put them out of sight on the night.

He's now level with R9 and one away from levelling Miroslav Klose's all-time World Cup goals record (16).

We're back in action in Kansas City, with a first change of the night coming from Argentina just before the re-start...

Some of your prescribed dose of Opta analysis at the break, and it's probably not some great reading if you're in either camp.

Coming up late tonight, Austria get up and running across their summer journey when they take on Jordan. And their fans are already in the mood in San Francisco.

HALF-TIME: ARGENTINA 1-0 ALGERIA

An opener from Lionel Messi separates the World Cup holders from Algeria on the night in Kansas City.

Plenty more to come from this one.

CHANCE!

Chaïbi is once again involved for Algeria, cutting inside before unleashing a high drive over the bar.

Do the Fennec Foxes need to call on Riyad Mahrez after the interval?

The first hydration break of the night comes in the wake of Argentina's opener through Messi's hit.

How will the two sides respond across the second chunk of the first half?

GOAL!!! ARGENTINA 1-0 ALGERIA

He won't be denied!

Lionel Messi bags the opener for Argentina with a trademark rifled effort that curled into the far corner.

Another magical moment across a career made of magical moments!

A fun story on the night: 20 years ago, Lionel Messi not only made his World Cup debut for Argentina, but he also featured for Barcelona against Real Madrid and France icon Zinedine Zidane in La Liga.

Tonight, he comes up against Zizou's son, Luca, who's in goal for Algeria.

OFFSIDE!

It's now Algeria's moment to be denied an opener, with Frankfurt's Farès Chaïbi's well-placed finish pulled back.

OFFSIDE!

Lionel Messi is denied, only by the offside flag, from a 5th-minute opener to set Argentina away.

So nearly a perfect start for La Albiceleste!

Algeria supporters are enjoying themselves

KICK OFF

Argentina begin their title defence against Algeria in a packed house in Kansas City.

Stay with us across all the action tonight!

Will La Albiceleste fans have reason to celebrate later tonight? In July? Regardless, they're in full voice.

Argentina and Algeria are taking to the pitch in Kansas City: a massive footballing hotbed in the United States.

We're set for the national anthems, and then we're underway under the lights on what could be the beginning of a swan song journey for Lionel Messi.

The GOAT is ready 🐐

Following Messi, Ronaldo will also make his sixth appearance at the World Cup this summer.

Here's Opta on how the two stack up against each other on the world's biggest stage...

Some good reads for those of you following Algeria, as the Fennec Foxes kick off their World Cup campaign in just under 30 minutes.

And here's your analysis via our friends at Opta.

How do you think Norway and Iraq will get on this summer? Let us know in the comments below.

On tap, it's Lionel Messi and Argentina locking horns with Argentina.

It's been 20 years since Messi made his World Cup debut, and now he's ready to feature in a record-setting sixth tournament.

FULL TIME: IRAQ 1-4 NORWAY

Norway book a huge 4-1 win over Iraq on their return to the World Cup for the first time in 28 years, with Erling Haaland leading the charge with a brace on the night.

GOAL! IRAQ 1-4 NORWAY

It's a fourth on the night for Norway in the closing moments of proceedings in Boston, with an own goal by Ayman Hussein bookending an entertaining 90 minutes!

We're into the final five minutes of action in Boston.

Norway are looking good value to close our proceedings and pull level with France at the top of Group I.

🚨 LINE UP ALERT!

Lionel Messi is set to make his 200th senior appearance for Argentina and a record sixth World Cup, as the defending World Cup champions prepare to open group play against Algeria.

Here are the XI's for the match set to come in Kansas City...

GOAL!! IRAQ 1-3 NORWAY

Norway extend their advantage to two, after substitute Leo Østigard heads home from Ødegaard's corner!

The aerial threat he showed at Genoa has come in clutch across the final 20 minutes here!

More changes now, with four coming from Norway and another two from Iraq...

After our second hydration break, we're back at it...

Iraq, once again, are applying real pressure here, but are just missing the final action.

The first changes on the night come from Iraq...

And we're back underway in Boston!

HALF-TIME: IRAQ 1-2 NORWAY

What a half of football in Boston, with Iraq refusing to back down against Norway and Erling Haaland.

They've had their chances thus far, and you'd bet against the house that they may just find a second before it's all over!

CHANCE!

Nearly again!

Ali Al Hamadi was slipped through on goal with a glorious chance to level matters, but his effort was deflected out for a corner!

CHANCE!

Iraq nearly equalise for the second time, this time just minutes away from the break!

Ibrahim Bayesh is denied on the volley at the near post from a brilliant last-gasp block by Møller Wolfe!

GOAL! IRAQ 1-2 NORWAY

Norway peg back to re-take the lead in the dying minutes of the first half!

It's a brace for Haaland after he gets a gift from Hassan!

First half at the World Cup, first World Cup brace!

GOAL!!! IRAQ 1-1 NORWAY

Iraq have equalised!!!

A deft-header by talisman Ayman Hussein levels the scoreline in Boston for Usood al-Rafidayn!

That's a brilliant effort!

CHANCE!

Another opportunity for Norway to make it 2-0 on the evening, pressing to regain possession in Iraq's third of the pitch before the ball eventually finds Ødegaard, but he can only flash his effort wide from outside of the box.

Just an absolutely ludicrous stat...

GOAL!! IRAQ 0-1 NORWAY

And he's done it! Erling Haaland has opened his World Cup account to shift Norway into the lead!

The Man City star got on the end of a lovely ball from Wolves full-back David Møller Wolfe to tap home from inside the six-yard box.

It's 56 goals in 51 caps for the goalscoring machine!

And now, the first of two hydration breaks in Boston.

CHANCE!

Alexander Sørloth does well to get on the in-swinging free kick from Dortmund full-back Julian Ryerson, but the big Atleti striker could only cushion his effort into the welcoming arms of Jalal Hassan.

Iraq have certainly had the better chances across the opening 15 minutes of action. Norway will do well not to underestimate them.

A look at some of the pressure that Norway face this summer, despite only recently re-establishing themselves on the European stage through a very successful qualifying campaign.

Ayman Hussein gets an early opportunity for Iraq to have a sniff at goal, but his headed effort can only fly over the bar at the near post.

A brilliant ball from Antonio Nusa nearly releases Haaland for his first chance of the night. That may not be the only time we see that this evening.

And we're up and running in Boston!

28 years since Norway last featured at the World Cup, with Iraq making their first appearance in four decades.

Who will come out on top this evening? Stay tuned!

The teams are walking out at Boston Stadium ahead of the national anthems...

And for those Iraq supporters out there, here's some final pre-match content ahead of a momentous evening in Boston!

Can Iraq produce one of the upsets of the group stage? It's been 40 years since their last tournament appearance, and they'll no doubt relish the occasion!

Fans across the world will no doubt be tuned in to watch Erling Haaland in his first-ever World Cup, with his 55 goals in 50 caps for Norway leaving him one of the favourites to net Golden Boot honours this summer.

But it's not all about Haaland for Norway, with the likes of Martin Ødegaard, Antonio Nusa, and Alexander Sørloth offering a brilliant supporting cast.

For more, here's Goal's analysis ahead of kick-off.

Coming up next, Norway take on Iraq in Boston.

Here's a reminder of how Røde, Hvite, Blå supporters have enjoyed themselves across pre-match travel

Not a bad record from the France captain.

A game of two halves for Mbappé this evening.

With that excellent late goal, Mbappé becomes France's all-time leading goalscorer.

FULL TIME: France 3-1 Senegal

Mbappé and France turn up in the second half and put Seengal to the sword.

GOOOAL FRANCE

That's all three points to France and Mbappé produces an absolute stunner to seal it! He picks up the ball 30 yards out and sends a swerving, unstoppable finish into the roof of the net. Unbelievable.

GOOOOAL SENEGAL

Now then, with just a few minutes to go Ibrahim Mbaye wriggles past his marker and slams a powerful strike into the net.

Eight minutes of injury time and France are edging towards an opening win at the 2026 World Cup.

Will he surpass Giroud at the 2026 World Cup?

France continue to cause havoc and Olise finds Mbappé on the edge of the area, but his effort lacks any real power to test Mendy.

GOAL FRANCE!

Bradley Barcola is given acres of space to run into and delivers an expert finish, lifting the ball deftly over the onrushing Mendy.

Senegal continue to show glimpses of danger as Jackson gets a toe on a low cross and diverts over the bar.

Up next, Iraq take on Norway in the other Group I match. Erling Haaland starts and makes his World Cup debut.

Mbappé is edging Klose to the record (no pun intended).

GOAL DISALLOWED!

Senegal think they've levelled through Jackson's thumping finish, but it's ruled out for offside.

GOOOAL FRANCE

Mbappé wouldn't be denied! Les Blues' captain races in behind the Senegal defence and tucks a well-timed finish low past Mendy and into the net. Wonderful play all around.

Here's a snapshot of that Mane tackle on Mbappé. Tight call for the ref.

NO PENALTY FRANCE

The original decision stands and France are denied a penalty.

PENALTY APPEAL

Mbappé races into the area and is clipped by Sadio Mane's sliding tackle. The referee says Mane got a touch on the ball but VAR are checking.

CHANCE FRANCE

Mbappé is the next French player to go one on one with Mendy, who, once again, comes the rescue to deny the Real Madrid attacker.

CHANCE FRANCE

France work their best chance of the game as Michael Olise dribbles past his marker and fires towards goal. Mendy is well placed to tip that one behind, though.

Senegal breaks quickly once more and Sarr thinks he's about to go one-on-one with Maignan before William Saliba makes a vital tackle.

CHANCE FRANCE

Désiré Doué gets a clear run at the Senegal defence and thumps a low shot just wide of the post.

SECOND HALF

Back underway for the second half in New Jersey.

Tough half for the French captain...

Sarr will be kicking himself in the dressing room at half time.

Another case of luck-riding from France in their 2026 World Cup opener.

HALF TIME: France 0-0 Senegal

BIG CHANCE SENEGAL!

Wow, that was a big miss! Senegal squirm a cross into the area and Sarr races onto the ball just six yards out but side-foots over the bar. Best chance yet.

Six minutes injury time coming up. Will there be a late first half opener?

That could have gone anywhere! Kalidou Koulibaly tries to clear a France cross with his shin and just about turns the ball behind for a corner. That one was very close to finding the bottom corner.

Sarr weaves past three France defenders and tees up Sadio Mané, whose first time shot is comfortably held by Maignan

An unthreatening start from the 2022 World Cup finalists in New Jersey.

Here's a closer look at that Jackson shot against the post. Certainly had Maignan beaten.

Senegal are really finding their confidence now as Sarr shoots wide from 20-yards after losing his footing.

Drinks break over and the action resumes.

The hydration break arrives just after that big Jackson chance. Let off for France!

OFF THE POST!

Oh my goodness, you cannot get closer than that! Nicolas Jackson dribbles into the France box and slams a low effort against the foot of the post. It cannons off the post and hits Mike Maignan on the back before going behind.

Heart in mouth moment for Senegal goalkeeper Mendy, who just about manages to squeeze a pass out from the six-yard area with Mbappé charging down on the press.

France get their first sight at goal after some patient buil-up play as Ousmane Dembélé receives the ball on the edge of the area and shoots into a swarm of Senegal defenders.

A long way to go yet...

Oof Kylian Mbappé nearly receives a great pass inside the Senegal area, but his first touch lets him down at the vital moment. Good quality from France there.

Ismaïla Sarr races into the France area and his eventual shot towards goal is well blocked. Lively start for Senegal.

Senegal work the ball forward quickly and whip a dangerous cross into the box, but Theo Hernández was alert and diverts behind for a corner.

KICK OFF

France vs Senegal gets started.

Just 10 minutes until France vs Senegal gets underway. Who will come out on top in this Group I clash?

And it's not just Les Blues fans who have been enjoying themselves in the Big Apple recently...

French fans have been enjoying the party atmosphere since last night in New York.

Mbappé already has 12 World Cup goals to his name. Can he add to his tally this evening?

Some big, big stars could be in action over the next 24 hours of World Cup action, including these two icons....

Premier League teammates turn rivals this evening at the MetLife Stadium.

First things first, team news for France vs Senegal, where Kylian Mbappe leads the line for Les Blues.

Good evening and welcome to another jam-packed day of 2026 World Cup action, starting with a blockbuster between France and Senegal.

Up later, Lionel Messi and Argentina will begin their title defence against Algeria, while Norway take on Iraq.

Stay tuned for updates of all four games.