Messi hat-trick sinks Algeria, England and Croatia set for Group L clash

Messi hat-trick, Scaloni in tears

Lionel Messi scored three. Argentina beat Algeria 3–0 in their World Cup opener, and manager Lionel Scaloni could barely speak afterwards. "Without words, what am I going to say? Anything I say... He's too much. He's been doing this for 20 years. We have to enjoy what he's doing. It's simply incredible," Scaloni said after substituting Messi in the 79th minute (3). Nico Paz also featured in the win.

England vs Croatia, Bellingham's stage

England and Croatia meet Wednesday at 17:00 in Group L, and Jude Bellingham is the name carrying expectation. Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic made his own loyalties clear in the buildup, calling Luka Modric his "right arm on the pitch" and saying younger players like Luka Vuskovic are lucky to have him as an example (4). Harry Kane leads England into a match that feels like a statement opportunity.

Portugal open against DR Congo

Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal start their Group K campaign Wednesday at 19:00 CEST against DR Congo (1). No question who the cameras will follow.

Norway put four past Iraq

Norway cruised past Iraq 4–1 in their opening match (1). The result itself is not the full story. Haaland's goal registered on seismic sensors in Bergen, a detail that tells you what kind of afternoon it was.

Austria 3–1 Jordan, Posch injured

Austria took care of business against Jordan, winning 3–1 (1). But defender Stefan Posch suffered a jaw injury that puts the rest of his tournament at risk.

Turkish commentator suspended, VAR debut for Van Driessche

A Turkish public broadcaster suspended a commentator after what Belgian outlet Het Nieuwsblad called a painful mistake during a World Cup broadcast (2). Separately, Belgian official Bram Van Driessche makes his VAR debut at the tournament on Thursday night (2).

Fan reactions

The Haaland seismic-sensor story has taken off on r/soccer, with fans joking that Norway's number 9 is now a natural disaster. Meanwhile, the Posch injury has Austria supporters worried, a jaw fracture could end his tournament early, and losing a starter in the first match is the kind of blow no camp wants. Read the Haaland thread and the Posch discussion.

Around the World Cup

Portugal · France · Senegal · Japan · Argentina · Iran · Egypt · Mexico · Algeria · Norway