Author: Bernard Okumu

Lionel Messi turned back the clock once again, delivering a hat-trick that helped Argentina open the defense of their World Cup crown with a 3-0 win over Algeria in their Group J opener. The performance came in Kansas City, where Messi marked his record sixth World Cup appearance.

The drama started early when Messi thought he had broken the deadlock in the opening minutes, only to see the goal chalked off for offside. He wouldn’t be denied for long. A trademark mazy run was capped by a powerful strike with his famed left foot, beating Algeria goalkeeper Luca Zidane, son of World Cup winner Zinedine Zidane. The second arrived on a rebound early in the second half, before he completed the treble soon after.

The night carried historic weight. It was Messi’s 200th international cap, making him the first player to complete at six World Cups, and he became the oldest player to ever score a hat-trick at the tournament. The third goal also drew him level with former Germany striker Miroslav Klose on 16 World Cup goals, the most in the competition’s history.

Adding to the emotion, Messi was given a standing ovation when substituted just minutes after completing his hat-trick. He later revealed his tears after the opener were tied to personal difficulties away from the pitch rather than the match itself.

It capped a day when football’s biggest stars all delivered, though none matched Messi’s brilliance. Kylian Mbappe scored twice in France’s 3-1 win over Senegal, while Erling Haaland struck twice in Norway’s 4-1 over Iraq. But on this night, the spotlight belonged entirely to Messi, who showed that even at 38, with the World Cup’s brightest stage set, he still produce moments of pure magic when his team needs him most.

A second-half own goal denied Egypt a first ever World Cup win as Belgium rescued a point from their Group G opener in Seattle.

The Pharaohs took the lead in the 21st minute through Al Ahly midfielder Emam Ashour, who thundered a 20-yard strike into the bottom corner past Thibaut Courtois.

But Thomas Meunier’s low cross was turned into his own net by Egypt defender Mohamed Hany in the 66th minute, under pressure from substitute Romelu Lukaku.

Egypt were backed by a passionate support base on the USA’s west coast as they hunted their first World Cup win in eight games, having made their tournament debut back in 1934.

Instead the seven-time African champions spent the final moments holding on and managed to avoid defeat at a World Cup for only the third time.

2026 FIFA World Cup debutants Cape Verde held their nerves throught out 90 minutes to draw 0-0 with 2010 Champions Spain in their opening World Cup group encounter at Atlanta Stadium,Atlanta USA.

Cape Verde Goalkeper,40,plying his trade with Portugals second division side,Chaves, was oustanding repulsing Spain attack to keep the scores 0-0 at halftime.

The reigning European champions were laboured in attack for long spells and on the occasions Spain threatened the Cape Verde goal, 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha kept them at bay with numerous fine saves.

The introduction of Lamine Yamal as a second-half substitute injected life into his side and the Spain fans inside the stadium, but the Barcelona teenager – making his first appearance for almost eight weeks following his recovery from a hamstring injury – could not produce a decisive moment on his World Cup debut.

Ferran Torres wasted Spain’s best chance in the first half, connecting with Marc Cucurella’s header back across the six-yard box, but hitting the crossbar under pressure from Vozinha.

Mikel Oyarzabal, scorer of their Euro 2024 winner against England, was denied by a superb block from Shamrock Rovers’ Roberto Lopes in the closing moments.

And as Spain pushed late on, they were almost caught out at the other end – but they avoided the ignominy of defeat as defender Diney Borges headed a corner straight at goalkeeper Unai Simon.

Amad Diallo etched his name into World Cup folklore with a stunning stoppage-time winner as Ivory Coast edged a pulsating Group E encounter against Ecuador 1-0 at a packed Philadelphia Stadium.

The Manchester United forward claimed the only goal of the game in the 90th minute after coming on as a substitute, delivering a moment of magic that belied the match’s tense, cagey nature.

The first half was mostly dominated by a front-footed Ecuadorian side that hit the crossbar twice, with Enner Valencia also blowing a key chance over the bar following a cross from Piero Hincapie. La Tricolor’s yellow-clad supporters filled the stands and roared their team forward, but clinical finishing proved elusive.

Led by a standout performance from Yan Diomande, the Elephants repeatedly pushed into the attacking third but failed to capitalize, including a sequence where Moises Caicedo made a last-ditch block on a Nicolas Pepe shot from the penalty spot.

The second half became increasingly frantic, with both sides sensing three points were there for the taking. Then, with the clock deep into added time, Wilfried Singo surged down the right flank and delivered a precise cut-back to substitute Diallo, who demonstrated clinical composure, tucking a first-time left-footed strike into the bottom-left corner.

Ecuador can try to rally and claim something with eight of 12 third-place teams being able to advance, but will need to score more goals. Germany will take on Ivory Coast next, with Ecuador meeting Curacao.

Sweden announced their return to the World Cup in stunning fashion, demolishing Tunisia 5-1 in a breathtaking Group F opener at Estadio BBVA, with Yasin Ayari stealing the show with a magnificent brace.

Ayari the scored for the Swedish with long-range goals in the seventh minute and in second-half stoppage time. He was muted in his celebration of the first goal, raising his hands out of respect for the country where his father was born.

Tunisia goalkeeper Abdelmouhib Chamakh had opened up the chance for Ayari to strike with a rash attempt at a clearance, and the shot-stopper’s woes continued throughout the evening.

Isak scored his 18th international goal in the 30th minute when Gyökeres found the Liverpool striker on a counterattack. Isak cut inside and fired a low shot past Chamakh’s hands. Tunisia briefly threatened a comeback when Rekik stalled Sweden’s momentum with his goal in the 43rd minute, but Isak and Gyökeres put Sweden back in control after the break.

Substitute Mattias Svanberg came on and scored within 16 seconds of his entry to make an instant impact, before Ayari rounded off a near-perfect night.

Sweden are the second team to score three goals from outside the box in a single FIFA World Cup match since 1966.

Graham Potter’s men now lead Group F, two points clear of the Netherlands and Japan, who drew 2-2 earlier in the day. Sweden’s World Cup dream is very much alive.

Monday delivers one of the most eagerly anticipated days of the 2026 World Cup, with European champions Spain launching their campaign against tournament debutants Cape Verde in Atlanta, before Mohamed Salah leads Egypt into battle against a formidable Belgium side in Seattle.

At long last, the World Cup debut of Lamine Yamal is here. The 18-year-old phenom is set to take the field at the World Cup for the first time in his young career as Spain opens the group stage against Cape Verde.

Spain won Euro 2024 with knockout wins over Italy, Switzerland and the Netherlands before defeating England in the final. Luis de la Fuente’s side enter as one of the tournament favourites and will be expected to cruise, but Cape Verde are no pushovers. The archipelago island nation had an unlikely run through World Cup qualification, and will put their best foot forward behind veteran captain Ryan Mendes, a 36-year-old midfielder with the most caps and goals in the nation’s history.

Then, attention shifts to Seattle for what promises to be a far more combustible affair. Belgium have been extremely impressive in their pre-tournament friendlies, defeating the United States 5-2 in March, then Croatia 2-0 and Tunisia 5-0. Led by veterans Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku, the Red Devils will be hungry to erase the memory of their painful 2022 group-stage exit.

But Egypt carry a weapon capable of deciding any match on any given day. Salah scored 24 goals and provided 16 assists for Liverpool this season, and arrives in red-hot form. Egypt are still searching for their first-ever World Cup win, and will lean heavily on their captain to inspire them.

Egypt went unbeaten in qualifying with an 8-2-0 record, outscoring opponents 20-2 and keeping eight clean sheets a proof that this Pharaohs side cannot simply be dismissed.