Hello and welcome to Daily Mail Sport’s World Cup Breakfast from day six at the tournament – your one-stop shop for everything you’ve missed overnight in North America.
For all the latest news, viral moments and what to look out for, stay right here.
OVERNIGHT ACTION
This is what happened while you were asleep…
France 3-1 Senegal (Group I)
One of the pre-tournament favourites laid down a marker as France showed their class against Senegal. With the scoreline 0-0 at half-time Kylian Mbappe broke the deadlock on 66 minutes, before Bradley Barcola added another on 82 minutes.
Senegal halved the deficit through teenage substitute Ibrahim Mbaye in second-half stoppage time before Mbappe had the final say with a stunning strike just seconds later.
The manner of the victory caused some awkwardness in the Fox Sports’ studio during their post-match analysis too (check Thierry Henry’s face at the end).
READ RIATH AL-SAMARRAI’S REPORT HERE
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Kylian Mbappe opened the scoring for France with this strike during their 3-1 win vs Senegal
Iraq 1-4 Norway (Group I)
The other match in Group I didn’t disappoint either as Erling Haaland’s World Cup debut ended as expected: in the goals.
The Norway striker opened the scoring on 29 minutes, finishing a good team move.
Iraq equalised shortly afterwards through Aymen Hussein – his country’s second-ever goal at a World Cup.
Haaland restored Norway’s lead moments later before half-time when he pounced on a defensive lapse. The second half remained cagey until the Norwegians put the game to bed with late goals from substitute Leo Ostigard and a Hussein own goal.
READ KIERAN GILL’S REPORT HERE
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Erling Haaland wheels away in celebration after scoring the opener in Norway’s 4-1 win vs Iraq
Argentina 3-0 Algeria (Group J)
The maestro, the genius, surely the greatest.
There were a few questions over 38-year-old Lionel Messi heading into this tournament, especially after he’d finally managed to get the monkey off his back by winning a World Cup – would the same drive still be there?
He answered that question resoundingly by smashing all three goals past Algeria and in doing so became the World Cup’s all-time joint-top scorer.
Messi is now level with Germany’s Miroslav Klose on 16 goals at the global showpiece and his opener was breath-taking.
He collected the ball in trademark fashion before driving at the defence and smashing home from range. Luca Zidane, son of Zinedine, made a real mess of Alexis Mac Allister’s strike, allowing Messi to tap in the second before he rounded off the hat-trick with a sublime left-footed effort.
The only surprise was that it was Messi’s first ever World Cup hattrick and some thought he was fortunate to still be on the pitch.
Messi quickly became embroiled in controversy after he appeared to stamp on the calf and Achilles area of Algeria’s Aissa Mandi from behind while he tried to make a tackle. Mandi went down and looked to be in pain before replays suggested Messi may have been at risk of serious punishment from the referee.
But the Inter Miami forward was somehow let off entirely by Polish referee Szymon Marciniak, while the game’s VAR also didn’t appear to check the incident.
Messi capitalised on that slice of luck before delivering one of his best performances in an Argentina shirt and went off to a standing ovation.
READ OLIVER SALT’S REPORT HERE
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Even the great man himself looked as though he could hardly believe it
Austria 3-1 Jordan (Group J)
Romano Schmid scored one of the goals of the tournament so far when he fired into the top corner to break the deadlock against Jordan.
The Austrians have not played at the World Cup for 28 years, while their opponents were making their debut at the competition.
Ali Olwan, their top scorer in World Cup qualifying, netted the equaliser after showing great pace down the left flank before cutting in on his right to fire beyond Alexander Schlager.
Marko Arnautovic thought he’d poked Austria back in front after a messy scramble in the box but the referee was sent to the monitor after Stefan Posch’s inadvertently committed a handball in the build-up.
But Arnautovic wasn’t to be denied for long. Minutes later, the former Stoke City man flicked a header in from a corner to secure his country’s first World Cup win since 1990 and they added a bit of gloss to the score in the dying seconds when he added a second from the spot.
Marko Arnautovic scored a brace for Austria in a tough game against Jordan
VIEW FROM THE GROUND – RIATH AL-SAMARRAI IN NEW JERSEY
Strange as it is to believe, there are some within France who hate Mbappe. He admitted as much this week. But how they must love him during a World Cup.
I was at their opener against Senegal on Tuesday and had the privilege of seeing how suddenly he can turn a game – his first goal was good, his second was sublime. And just like that, a poor performance for him and his team was transformed into a comfortable 3-1 win.
If Mbappe gets two more goals across the remainder of the tournament, he will tie Miroslav Klose’s record of 16. I’d wager he gets there by the end of the group stage.
But what about French chances overall? Declared favourites by many, they avoided dropping points in the style of Spain, Brazil and Belgium and did so against a good team on a long unbeaten run.
And yet there will be plenty for Didier Deschamps to consider, especially in how he deploys the finest array of attacking talents in the tournament. It was my feeling that he initially got it wrong in New York – Desire Doue isn’t a natural left winger and Ousmane Dembele was also in an unfavoured spot, playing deep behind Mbappe.
At times in the first half, it felt a little too much like desperation to get his best men on the pitch, which is a sensation followers of England know well. Thomas Tuchel has been bold in taking a different path and today’s clash with Croatia will give us a clearer idea on whether he was wise.
PICTURE OF THE DAY
Mbappe didn’t produce his trademark celebration when he scored the opener in New Jersey. The reason? An appearance on the After Hours with James Corden show.
During his appearance he made a promise to Corden that he would do a flute celebration after scoring at the World Cup – in homage to having tried to learn the instrument as a child.
Mbappe’s flute celebration for his opening goal was in relation to a promise to James Corden
VIRAL MOMENT OF THE DAY
Norway fans have been waiting 28 years to be at a World Cup again and this group below in Boston were in brilliant form ahead of kick-off. Maybe they should consider rowing in future…
CELEBRITY WATCH
Wales are not at this World Cup but there was some Welsh representation in the crowd for France versus Senegal in the shape of their national treasure Gareth Bale.
The camera cut to Bale watching on with the scoreline 2-0 in second-half stoppage-time… little did anyone know there would be two more goals to come!
Earlier in the day, the former Real Madrid superstar had also visited the Empire State Building – so not a bad day’s work at all.
Gareth Bale had been at the Empire State Building in New York City before the match too
STATS OF THE DAY
Take your pick, there are plethora of them.
Mbappe will wake up to positive headlines for more than one reason. He is now his France’s all-time record goalscorer with 58 goals, one better than former team-mate Olivier Giroud. He is also edging closer to scoring the most World Cup goals in history with the 27-year-old now on 14 – just two behind Germany legend Miroslav Klose’s total.
Despite Senegal losing, Mbaye became the youngest African goal scorer (18 years and 143 days) at a World Cup.
Meanwhile, Haaland has scored in his last 11 competitive appearances for Norway dating back to November 2024.
Oh and then there is the small matter of Lionel Messi. In what was his 200th senior appearance for Argentina, he became the first ever man to play in six different World Cups.
THREE THINGS TO LOOK OUT FOR TODAY
1. Ronaldo’s right of reply
If there is a realistic chance of the Hollywood ending Ronaldo desperately craves, we’ll get a strong idea against DR Congo.
Is the 41-year-old still sharp enough, fit enough and the best man to lead the line for his country?
Critics point to him having an unhealthy strangle-hold of Martinez’s team and dressing room but he could yet show this last dance will end exactly as he wants.
Ronaldo has made a career of bending games and tournaments to his will and watching Messi’s earlier heroics will only motivate him even more.
Cristiano Ronaldo has one last shot at his dream of winning the World Cup
2. Bellingham or Rogers?
Most of Tuchel’s England side picks itself but there are a couple of areas where it will be interesting to see the manager’s thinking.
Morgan Rogers has been superb under the German and it is between him and his great mate Jude Bellingham for the coveted No 10 role.
No doubt both will see plenty of action over the course of the tournament but when push comes to shove, who will Tuchel prefer?
Whether Anthony Gordon or Marcus Rashford is given the nod at left-wing is another fascinating dilemma for the Croatia clash.
It’s almost time for every football fan in the country to tell Tuchel where he’s gone wrong when England limp to an uneventful draw…
Morgan Rogers (left) and Jude Bellingham (right) are competing for the same role
3. Modric masterclass?
The man is timeless. He’s aging like Benjamin Button. You think of Croatian football and Modric is the first player who pops into your head.
To still be playing at the highest level, in the centre of midfield at 40 is a remarkable achievement in itself.
When Modric first played against England, Borat was out at the cinema and Tony Blair was the prime minister.
He’s seen it all over the last two decades and this will surely be his bow on the big stage. It might be tough for England fans to enjoy him if he’s pulling the strings on Wednesday evening, but you have to appreciate that talent and longevity, truly one of the greats.
Luka Modric will line up against England in Croatia’s World Cup opener on Wednesday
TODAY’S GAMES
Portugal vs DR Congo (6pm, Houston, BBC)
Anything you can do, I can do better? No doubt Cristiano Ronaldo will have watched that Lionel Messi masterclass through gritted teeth but it will soon be his chance to shine.
Plenty of fans think Portugal have a real chance of winning their first World Cup and Roberto Martinez’s side are stacked with talent.
It has been 52 years since today’s opponents the Democratic Republic of Congo have been at a World Cup and last time they were, the name was Zaire.
Axel Tuanzebe’s 100th-minute header against Jamaica in the intercontinental play-off final secured their participation and while some players will be familiar to you – the likes of Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Noah Sadiki, Cedric Bakambu – could be in for a long afternoon.
Prediction: Portugal win
England vs Croatia (9pm, Dallas, ITV)
Finally, Thomas Tuchel’s men launch their campaign against familiar old foes.
England and Croatia must be sick of the sight of each other now, they’ll be playing in 50 years and Luka Modric will still be running midfield.
Gareth Southgate took the Three Lions to the cusp of silverware but just couldn’t drag them over the line, leading the FA to turn to a serial winner and knockout football supremo.
Tuchel’s squad selection has put a few noses out of joint, opting for harmony over talent and we’ll soon see if that decision is validated.
This fixture is typically decided by fine margins and let’s not even talk about Croatia’s famous 2-1 victory in the 2018 World Cup semi-final.
It could be a tricky game but Tuchel will have a far better idea of where his side are by tomorrow morning.
Prediction: England win
England have a hugely talented squad aiming to win a second star on the shirt
Ghana vs Panama (Midnight, Toronto, ITV)
You’ve battled through two games already and work looms in the morning – why not tick off Ghana vs Panama anyway!
The Black Stars begin their fifth World Cup campaign and both Croatia and England will be keeping a watching brief on this one for their group rivals.
Coach Queiroz was brought in as manager ahead of the tournament and you know what you’re going to get – rock solid defensive principles.
When Ghana do break, they have the weapons to punish teams. Antoine Semenyo and Inaki Williams will be the key men for Panama to keep quiet.
Prediction: Ghana win
Uzbekistan vs Colombia (3am, Mexico City, BBC)
This is just a pure World Cup group stage fixture, isn’t it?
It’s a big deal for Uzbekistan, who have qualified for their first World Cup 34 years after gaining independence.
Italy’s 2006 World Cup legend Fabio Cannavaro is their manager and the star man is Man City’s Abdukodir Khusanov.
But they’ll have their work cut out against World Cup regulars Colombia. Nestor Lorenzo’s side are 13th in the FIFA rankings, way ahead of Uzbekistan back in 50th.
In Luis Diaz and a rejuvenated James Rodriguez, they’re well-placed for a run to the knockout stages.
Prediction: Colombia win
