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≡ FIFA WORLD CUP ≡
An almost unbelievable day of star power, with Argentina’s Lionel Messi setting the all-time record for World Cup goals, but being pressed by French star Kylian Mbappe! And then Norway’s scoring machine, Erling Haaland, got two of his own!
● Group J: Argentina 2, Austria 0 ● After a hat trick in his opener, Messi was back on the field at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, and he was after history.
This was an evenly-played match in the first half, with strong defenses and possession for both sides. Messi was at the penalty spot in the 9th, after a tackle by Stefan Posch on Argentine striker Lautaro Martinez. But he missed the penalty to the right of the goal and it remained 0-0.
Messi had another chance saved by Austrian keeper Alexander Schlager in the 19th, and had one blocked in the 31st. But in the 38th, as defender Facundo Medina sent a cross from left to right to the top of the box and Messi sent a one-timer into the left side of goal for a 1-0 lead. It’s his 17th World Cup goal, making him the greatest scorer in the history of the tournament.
It was 1-0 at the half, with just five shots in the game, three by Argentina, which had 54% possession, but was far more dangerous.
Argentina dominated the second half, and questions were raised about the officiating, with a goal kick given on a clear touch on a save by Austrian keeper in the 65th and increasing pushing and shoving. Argentina was up to 58% possession and 6-5 on shots at the hydration break, showing exceptional defense as well as Messi on offense.
There were Austrian forays, but they didn’t get too far and a header at 90+3 was a late change that failed. The Argentine defense was just too good, and on a defensive block, Messi was away and running in the final minute of the match.
The ensuing play saw forward Julian Alvarez have his shot blocked, then midfielder Leandro Paredes rolled the rebound to Messi in the middle of the box. His shot was blocked, but it came right back to him, and he sent another shot between defenders and it went into the net at 90+5 for a 2-0 win. Messi now has 18 career World Cup goals and all five of Argentina’s goals in this tournament.
Argentina finished 11-6 on shots and with 54% possession. Austria was good, but the defending champions have Messi.
● Group J: Jordan vs. Algeria ● (Santa Clara, California: 8 p.m. Pacific) To be updated after match end.
● Group I: France 3, Iraq 0 ● It only took 14 minutes for French star striker Mbappe to score at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as he took a short pass from midfielder Michel Olise at the right side of the box and, with room to shoot, sent a blistering left-footed laser into the Iraq net for a 1-0 lead. It’s his 15th career World Cup goal, now equal-third all-time.
France continued to apply pressure and at the hydro break, it had 67% of the ball and all five shots in the game. Iraq immediately made a foray and got their first shot.
A hard rain started in the 37th and the fans were seen taking out ponchos or blankets or heading for cover – most of the stadium is open – but the game continued. It lightened a bit as the half ended, with Iraq mounting more offense amid the storm and France settling for 58% possession and 7-2 on shots.
The storm – and a possible lightning strike – caused a “seek shelter” warning for spectators at the half at 6:10 p.m. Eastern. The teams did not return for warm-ups until 7:33 p.m. Eastern and play did not resume until 8 p.m.
Play on the restart was fairly even, then a terrible Iraqi defensive mistake, as defender Zaid Tahseen casually passed the ball back to keeper Ahmed Basil, who could not control it and it was intercepted by striker Ousmane Dembele. He passed it to Mbappe in the middle of the box and he drove it home for the 2-0 lead in the 54th. Stunning.
France continued in control and salted the game away in the 66th, as Olise drove into the middle above the box, slid the ball to the right side for Dembele, who had space and sent a liner to the far side of the Iraq net for a 3-0 lead. Mbappe had a couple more chances, but did not score and leaves with 16 career World Cup goals, equal-second all-time.
The game ended with France at 55% possession and 19-4 on shots. No problem.
● Group I: Norway 3, Senegal 2 ● MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey was cleared four hours prior to kickoff to due heavy rains and flood concerns, but the game started on time at 8 p.m. Eastern.
The Norwegians were on offense from the start, but could not score in the “first period” and it was 0-0 at the hydro break. But their confidence grew during the half, and in the 43rd, midfielder Martin Odegaard’s pass was touched by Senegal defender Kalidou Koulibaly and drifted to the right side. Ready to pounce was defender Marcus Pederson with a hard shot from the right side that could not be handled by Senegal keeper Edouard Mendy and found the far side of the net for a 1-0 lead.
The ever-dangerous Erling Haaland hit the post at 45+4, after Mendy slipped and gave the Norwegian star an open look, but from a difficult angle. It stayed 1-0 to the half, with 50-50 on possession, and Norway at 7-6 on shots.
Senegal started well in the second half, but just three minutes in, a Norwegian break after a turnover had Odegaard rolling down the middle of the field, then optioned left to Haaland inside the box and he finished with the left foot on a ripping shot that Mendy had no shot at. 2-0.
Senegal needed to get busy and forward Nicolas Jackson sent a promising header that was saved in the 52nd by Norway keeper Orjan Nyland. A minute later, a Senegal possession was going back and forth, then a ball to striker Sadio Mane in the middle of the field and above the box allowed him to send a through-ball to forward Ismaila Sarr, and he got to the ball before Nyland and got the ball in the net for 2-1.
Norway wanted to score and then came down quickly and in the 57th, a clearance in the box by Koulibaly resulted in the ball at the foot of midfielder Patrick Berg on the left side. He sent a short pass toward Haaland in traffic in the middle of the box and somehow he got to it and sent a right-footed shot off the crossbar and into the net for a 3-1 lead. He’s amazing.
At the hydro break, Senegal had 56% of possession, but the Vikings had 11 shots to nine (and three goals). Norway threatened continuously in the final minutes and a sure goal by midfielder Oscar Bobb was headed away right in front of goal by midfielder Pathe Ciss at 90+1.
Senegal had possession, and suddenly made it a game again at 90+3, as a pass in the box from Jackson found Sarr, who ripped a shot into the net to close to 3-2! Senegal stayed on offense, but could not find the tying score.
The Senegalese finished at 58% possession and 16-13 on shots, and the final minutes were scary. The win means undefeated Norway will face undefeated France for the group title in their third game.
≡ PANORAMA ≡
The schedule for Tuesday, 23 June, to end the matches in the second round of the group stage:
● Group K: Portugal vs. Uzbekistan, in Houston (1 p.m. Eastern)
● Group L: England vs. Ghana, in Foxborough (4 p.m. Eastern)
● Group L: Panama vs. Croatia, in Toronto (7 p.m. Eastern)
● Group K: Colombia vs. Dom. Rep. Congo, in Guadalajara (10 p.m. Eastern)
The schedule will have six matches per day from Wednesday through Saturday to finish the group stage.
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The Iranian team left SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles after its 0-0 tie with Belgium on Sunday, and posted a handwritten note in its locker room:
“From the ancient Persia of thousands of years ago to the civilized Iran of today, the spirit of Iran remains alive and steadfast.
“We came to Los Angeles with pride, competed with honor, and leave with dignity.
“Thank you, Los Angeles, for your hospitality. And thank you to every Iranian who gave their heart, voice, and soul for Iran throughout these 180 minutes.
“May peace, respect, and friendship prevail among all nations.”
Los Angeles, with its large Iranian expatriate population, was the best possible place for “Team Melli” to play and was rapturously cheered in both of its SoFi Stadium games.
Iran will face Egypt in its final group-stage game in Seattle, trying to advance to the elimination round. “Team Melli” was required to leave Los Angeles hours after its Sunday game, to return to it training base in Tijuana (MEX).
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FIFA President Gianni Infantino (SUI) has been everywhere, showing up at 10 matches in the first seven days in cities all over North America. He wasn’t flying commercial.
His schedule in a Qatar Airways private jet has been frantic, with the French “climate accounting” firm Greenly commenting, “Just one hour in this plane emits roughly what an average human being emits in an entire year.”
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The 2026 FIFA World Cup is been a success, but not without glitches. A Politico review of the U.S.-Paraguay opening match at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood noted a massive traffic jam near the stadium as a self-driving Waymo car could not make a left turn onto busy Manchester Boulevard.
There was a benefit to this, with Los Angeles Office of Major Events chief Paul Krekorian explaining that this was one of many situations which can be planned for ahead of the 2028 Olympic Games in L.A.:
“Instead of just steaming about it, I was thinking: OK, how are we going to geofence Waymos? How are we going to work with the transportation network companies to make sure that we have effective pick-up and drop-off locations? All of that stuff.”
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The Associated Press did a nice round-up of some unique food offerings – and their prices – at World Cup stadiums; the prize for fairness goes, as usual, to Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
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