Source: AP<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nOdegaard surged upfield and slid a pass through to Haaland, who buried an emphatic finish past Mendy to add to the two goals he scored in Norway\u2019s opening 4-1 victory over Iraq.<\/p>\n
Senegal clawed their way back as Sarr showed great composure to poke home after tumbling to the ground following a clever flick into the area by Sadio Mane.<\/p>\n
However, Koulibaly was at fault once more, failing to clear as Haaland steered a volley in off the crossbar from Patrick Berg\u2019s cross, delighting Norwegian fans who provided a colourful backdrop with their viral rowing chant.<\/p>\n
Mory Diaw came on for the injured Mendy in goal, but only a headed goalline clearance from Pathe Ciss prevented Oscar Bobb from netting Norway\u2019s fourth.<\/p>\n
Sarr\u2019s second of the night set up a tense finish, but Norway held on to join France in the next round and leave Senegal\u2019s hopes hanging by a thread.<\/p>\n
The players then celebrated by joining their fans in doing the \u2018Viking Row\u2019, which has gone viral as Norwegian fans have done it in Times Square and on the subway in New York.<\/p>\n
TOURNAMENT FIRST ROCKS ARNIE\u2019S IRAQ<\/b><\/p>\n
France were made to wait before booking their place in the last 32 with a weather-disrupted 3-0 win over Graham Arnold\u2019s Iraq in Philadelphia that took just under four hours to complete.<\/p>\n
Kylian Mbappe, making his 100th appearance for France, had fired France into a 1-0 lead with a vicious long-range effort after 14 minutes that ripped past Iraq goalkeeper Ahmed Basil.<\/p>\n
But as the half progressed, a severe thunderstorm that had prompted tournament organisers to delay opening the stadium doors to fans before kick-off rolled into the region, dumping heavy rain on the venue.<\/p>\n
As the half-time whistle blew, fans in the 68,324-capacity Lincoln Financial Field were told to take shelter, and scrambled into the stadium concourses.<\/p>\n<\/amp-img>A photographer leaves the field as rain stops play during the World Cup Group I soccer match between France and Iraq in Philadelphia, Monday, June 22, 2026. (AP Photo\/Petr David Josek)<\/span>Source: AP<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/amp-ima-video><\/p>\nMbappe capitalises on Iraq howler! | 00:32<\/p>\n
<\/div>\nThe severe weather warning prevented the match resuming after half-time, leaving the two teams to huddle in their respective locker rooms before the second half finally kicked off at approximately 8.00pm local time, a delay of around two hours.<\/p>\n
When play resumed, Mbappe grabbed his second of the match — and 16th career World Cup goal — before Ousmane Dembele added France\u2019s third in the 66th minute.<\/p>\n
The possibility of severe weather causing disruption to the tournament had been signalled at last year\u2019s Club World Cup in the United States, when multiple games were interrupted for several hours.<\/p>\n
In the most extreme example, the last-16 match between Chelsea and Benfica in Charlotte was stopped for almost three hours late in normal time.<\/p>\n<\/amp-img>Graham Arnold, Head Coach of Iraq, reacts after the team’s 0-3 defeat in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group I match between France and Iraq at Philadelphia Stadium<\/span>Source: AFP<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nPublic safety regulations used widely in the United States mandate that play is halted whenever lightning is recorded near a stadium.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe brought the ponchos, we were ready,\u201d said 32-year-old France fan Steven Jouan who had travelled to Philadelphia from South Carolina with his partner for the game.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have been to different sporting events before so we knew that delays happen. Most of the other games get cancelled but a World Cup game, you just gotta stick it out.\u201d In Monday\u2019s other Group I game, Norway can also qualify for the last 32 with a victory over Senegal at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.<\/p>\n
<\/amp-ima-video><\/p>\nMbappe brings up 15th WC goal in style! | 00:31<\/p>\n
<\/div>\nMAGIC MESSI MAKES WORLD CUP HISTORY TO SEND ARGENTINA INTO LAST 32<\/b><\/p>\n
The player widely regarded as the greatest of all time pounced late in the first half in Texas with a trademark left-footed finish after neat build-up play. <\/p>\n
The predatory goal added to his hat-trick in Argentina\u2019s opening match to make it a record 17 in total at the World Cup.<\/p>\n
The 38-year-old then sealed the match deep in second-half injury time as he outfoxed four defenders who lined up to keep the ball out. <\/p>\n
It should have been even better for Messi, who missed a penalty early on, stunning a fiercely pro-Argentina 70,649 crowd at the air-conditioned home of the Dallas Cowboys. <\/p>\n
\u201cVery happy for the victory, it was very important, hard, hard, hard, and it gives us peace of mind for what is to come,\u201d Messi, at his sixth World Cup, told broadcasters. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe match was even, intense and we are happy to get six points.\u201d <\/p>\n
<\/amp-ima-video><\/p>\nMessi seals wild WC history in stunner | 00:48<\/p>\n
<\/div>\nHe added: \u201cI\u2019m tired, I\u2019m running on fumes, and it\u2019s hard to think. I\u2019m enjoying this moment and looking forward to being with my teammates.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been spectacular how it all unfolded. Today I had the penalty, which could have increased my tally or not; perhaps the others wouldn\u2019t have come, you never know. I\u2019m happy with the team.\u201d<\/p>\n
Messi\u2019s name rang out along the concourses of the stadium after another virtuoso display. <\/p>\n
\u201cThere is not much to say about Leo. More than 20 years being the best in the world, he is the best in history,\u201d said striker Julian Alvarez. <\/p>\n<\/amp-img>Lionel Messi became the leading scorer in World Cup history.<\/span>Source: Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n– Penalty woe –<\/b><\/p>\n
With both sides knowing a win would put them into the knockout rounds with a game to spare, Lautaro Martinez was brought down in the box, sandwiched by two Austrian players. <\/p>\n
Referee Amin Mohamed gave a penalty after a VAR intervention, and a wall of noise went up as Messi stepped forward on nine minutes. <\/p>\n
But his run-up was slow and his weak effort off target, dragging it wide. For all his brilliance, Messi — who turns 39 on Wednesday — is surprisingly poor from the penalty spot by his standards. <\/p>\n
He also saw his spot-kick saved by Wojciech Szczesny in a 2-0 win over Poland at the 2022 World Cup, where Argentina went on to be champions, and missed at the 2018 tournament. <\/p>\n
In the 19th minute Messi had a clear sniff at goal, only for Austria captain David Alaba to steal the ball off his toes at the last moment as he danced through. <\/p>\n
Alaba denied Messi again just after the half-hour mark, blocking his goalbound shot with goalkeeper Alexander Schlager stranded.<\/p>\n
Ralf Rangnick\u2019s Austria, who beat debutants Jordan 3-1 in their opener, were content to sit back. They did not have a shot on target in the first half. <\/p>\n<\/amp-img>Argentina players and fans celebrate after Lionel Messi scored their second goal.<\/span>Source: AP<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n– History made –<\/b><\/p>\n
And then came the big moment, Messi sweeping in on 38 minutes after being set up by Facundo Medina, with Thiago Almada cleverly letting the ball run through his legs to leave Argentina\u2019s talisman all on his own and the goal gaping. <\/p>\n
The Argentina fans, who greatly outnumbered their Austrian counterparts, rose to acclaim their hero.<\/p>\n
Messi had equalled Miroslav Klose\u2019s all-time mark of 16 World Cup goals when hitting a hat-trick in a 3-0 win over Algeria in the holders\u2019 opening game. <\/p>\n
Messi was tearful after his first goal against Algeria, and it later emerged that his father is recovering from an unspecified health issue. <\/p>\n
Inter Miami attacker Messi had not even committed to playing the tournament in North America until the last moment.<\/p>\n
The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain wizard dragged his country to World Cup glory four years ago, and the lure of representing his nation once again on the biggest stage proved irresistible. <\/p>\n
Lionel Scaloni\u2019s side failed to build on their lead, and the second half drifted, neither side creating much.<\/p>\n
If anything, Austria threatened slightly more, but Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez was only once seriously troubled.<\/p>\n
And then up popped Messi to have the last word at the death. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe knew that he is on a level of his own, and Lionel Messi showed us today that he\u2019s the best,\u201d said Rangnick.<\/p>\n
<\/amp-ima-video><\/p>\nInside the Socceroos World Cup hotel | 03:21<\/p>\n
<\/div>\nMATCHDAY 12 PREVIEW<\/b><\/p>\n
Another player chasing the all-time World Cup scoring record, Kylian Mbappe, will play his 100th game for France when they meet Iraq in Philadelphia. <\/p>\n
\u201cThere is nothing bigger – one hundred is a historic figure, and to have the chance to reach that tally here at a World Cup means it will be a special match for me,\u201d Mbappe told reporters on Sunday. <\/p>\n
Mbappe, 27, is tied with West Germany legend Gerd Mueller on 14 goals after he netted twice in France\u2019s opening 3-1 win against Senegal in Group I.<\/p>\n
\u201cI asked if we could play three goalkeepers but they said no,\u201d Iraq\u2019s Australian coach Graham Arnold quipped.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey have some incredible players and it is an honour, but we are focused on ourselves, our own performance.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are making sure the players are completely ready to go out there and show the world what they are about.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/amp-img>Iraq’s Australian head coach Graham Arnold arrives at an MD-1 press conference at the Philadelphia Stadium in Philadelphia on June 21, 2026, on the eve of the 2026 World Cup Group I football match between France and Iraq. (Photo by Franck FIFE \/ AFP)<\/span>Source: AFP<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nHe added: \u201cI have always been a coach that goes out expecting to win a game, not trying not to lose.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen you have that mentality, yes you will have days where it might not work but you will get plenty of days where it does work.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will go out with the belief and expectation to win and that puts the players in a good mindset.\u201d<\/p>\n
France, who were beaten by Argentina on penalties in the last final in 2022, will expect to brush aside the Iraqis to guarantee a ticket to the knockout phase in a match which could be interrupted with thunderstorms forecast in Philadelphia. <\/p>\n
Norway and their marksman Erling Haaland, who scored twice against Iraq in a 4-1 opening win, will also be guaranteed of going through from Group I if they beat Senegal in New Jersey and France defeat Iraq. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Lionel Messi\u2019s legend somehow grew even greater on Tuesday morning as he scored twice in Argentina\u2019s win over Austria to break Miroslav Klose\u2019s all-time scoring record at the men\u2019s FIFA World Cup. Meanwhile, former Socceroos coach Graham Arnold fell short of World Cup miracle over highly-fancied France as wild weather in Philadelphia has intervened. Football\u2019s […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":249581,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"tdm_status":"","tdm_grid_status":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6807],"tags":[319,3147,357,358,74429],"class_list":{"0":"post-249580","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-leagues-cups","8":"tag-argentina","9":"tag-fifa","10":"tag-kylian-mbappe","11":"tag-lionel-messi","12":"tag-live-blog"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/249580","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=249580"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/249580\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/249581"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=249580"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=249580"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=249580"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}