Lionel Messi hailed a 'beautiful moment' after becoming the joint all-time leading goalscorer in World Cup history during his record sixth finals appearance, following a spectacular hat-trick in Argentina's 3-0 victory over Algeria.

From wonderkid to football legend, Kylian Mbappé continues to rewrite history. A third World Cup final, another world title, and perhaps Ballon d'Or number two on the horizon. The king of the new generation has arrived. 👑⚽

Hervé Renard, the newly appointed coach of Tunisia, is eager to embrace the challenges ahead following the dismissal of Sabri Lamouchi after a heavy defeat to Sweden in their World Cup opener. Renard aims to instill pride and determination in the squad as they gear up for their next match against Japan.

In his landmark 200th appearance for Argentina, Lionel Messi displayed his undeniable brilliance, leading La Albiceleste to a commanding 3-0 victory over Algeria in their FIFA World Cup Group J opener at Arrowhead Stadium.

DR Congo will be one of the last teams to start their ⁠World Cup campaign when they take on Portugal in their Group K opener in Houston on Wednesday, but it will be worth the wait ‌for forward Yoane Wissa.

Norwegian manager Stale Solbakken has granted his players a well-deserved break following their impressive 4-1 victory over Iraq, marking a successful start to their long-awaited World Cup campaign, with standout performances, including two goals from Erling Haaland.

Neymar offered Brazil ⁠a flicker of World Cup encouragement on Tuesday when he trained on the ‌pitch with the national team in the United States ‌for the first time, though a return ‌against Haiti on Friday looks unlikely.

Chris Kirkland never made it to a major tournament with England. He was close, painfully close, before a broken wrist at Liverpool cost him a place at Euro 2004. But he knows the England environment well: the call-ups, the training camps, the names on the next peg along, and the strange little pressures that build before the football even starts.

After South Africa’s jubilation at a first World Cup finals in 16 years turned sour ⁠with a 2-0 loss to co-hosts Mexico, winger Thapelo Maseko says they must invoke the spirit of the 2023 Africa Cup ‌of Nations to get back on track.

Germany's seven-goal rout of Curacao for their World Cup opener has triggered ⁠a wave of enthusiasm among success-starved fans, but captain Joshua Kimmich said on Tuesday the team needed their next two group matches ‌to see exactly where they stand.

If you ever wanted success for a player at the World Cup, Kevin Yakob would probably fit the bill. The playmaker, who chose to represent Iraq over Sweden, has clawed himself back to full fitness following two serious ACL injuries and is now ready to play a potentially crucial role for the Iraq national team, who have qualified for the World Cup for the first time in 40 years.

Tino Livramento has been ruled out of the World Cup on the eve of England's opening match against Croatia on Wednesday and has been replaced by Trevoh Chalobah.