Matchday 6 live updates, Lionel Messi hat-trick, Argentina vs Algeria, Iraq vs Norway, start time show, how to watch, steam, video, highlights

The sixth day of FIFA World Cup action is underway, with France sealing a 3-1 victory over Senegal in their tournament opener.

Graham Arnold’s Iraq were crushed by Norway 4-1 in Boston, while Argentina legend Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick during the reigning champions’ 3-0 victory over Algeria in Kansas City.

FULL 2026 WORLD CUP SCHEDULE WITH AUSTRALIAN TIMES AND DATES

MATCH CENTRE: France defeat Senegal 3-1

MATCH CENTRE: Iraq lost to Norway 4-1

MATCH CENTRE: Argentina defeat Algeria 3-0

MATCH CENTRE: Austria vs Jordan at 2pm AEST

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EXPLAINED: Why Socceroos already have one foot in World Cup knockout stage

SKIPPER’S AXING: F-bombs, selection shake-ups and a podcast blow-up

MESSI MAKES HISTORY WITH MAGIC HAT-TRICL

Lionel Messi scored a dazzling hat-trick for Argentina on Tuesday to equal Miroslav Klose’s all-time record of 16 goals at World Cups as the defending champions swept Algeria aside 3-0.

On a night for the ages in Kansas City, the records kept tumbling for Argentina’s miracle man, considered by many to be the greatest footballer of all time.

When the match kicked off at the home of the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs, Messi became the first player to feature in six World Cup tournaments, in his 200th international match.

And the 38-year-old lit up the occasion with three goals in a clinical display by the reigning world champions.

Messi produced a majestic finish from distance in the 17th minute, sparking a frenzy among his adoring fans, who had turned the match into a virtual home game.

Algeria goalkeeper Luca Zidane, the son of France great Zinedine Zidane, got his hands to the ball, but could not keep it out.

Messi netted again in the second half from close range, gobbling up a rebound to take him just one goal behind the all-time record held by Germany’s Klose.

And he completed his first hat-trick at a World Cup with an unstoppable finish in the 76th minute.

The diminutive genius was substituted shortly afterwards, forcing Argentine fans to wait to see their hero have a shot at the outright record.

The Group J match in the open-air stadium started at a frantic pace and both sides had early goals ruled out for off-side, including one from Messi.

But Argentina took the lead when Rodrigo De Paul played a beautifully measured through ball which Messi picked up before driving at goal and unleashing a fierce drive from outside the penalty area that curled away from Zidane.

The South American team were largely in control of the match, fluid in attack with their Number 10 pulling the strings.

But as the clock ticked towards half-time Algeria enjoyed a better spell, with Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez forced to parry a shot from Fares Chaibi from a tight angle.

Messi curled another effort over the bar in the early minutes of the second half and Zidane kept out a shot from Lautaro Martinez.

But the crowd did not have to wait long to celebrate another goal from the veteran forward, who plays for MLS side Inter Miami.

Zidane could not handle a sizzling Alexis Mac Allister strike from distance and Messi was there to sweep home in the 60th minute.

Time stood still six minutes later as Messi was through again but this time Zidane pushed the ball over the bar.

But he was not to be denied, completing his hat-trick after being set up by substitute Nico Gonzalez.

Lionel Scaloni’s Argentina are seeking to become the first back-to-back winners since Brazil managed the feat in 1962.

Algeria are hoping to reach the knockout round for only the second time, in a group that also includes Austria and Jordan.

Earlier, the roads around the Kansas City Stadium were clogged as tens of thousands of Argentine fans streamed towards ground dressed in blue and white, many with Messi’s name on the back of their shirts.

Argentina’s all-time top-scorer is just the third man to reach 200 caps after Cristiano Ronaldo and Kuwait’s Bader Al-Mutawa.

Ronaldo will equal Messi’s record of six World Cup appearances if he plays for Portugal against DR Congo on Wednesday.

HAALAND DOUBLE AS NORWAY CRUSH IRAQ

Erling Haaland struck his first World Cup goals as Norway beat Iraq 4-1 on Tuesday in their first game at a major tournament in 26 years.

The Manchester City striker turned in from close range to give Norway the lead on 29 minutes in Boston, but Aymen Hussein’s header brought Iraq level.

Haaland pounced on an error at the back to put Norway ahead again before half-time and take his goals tally at international level to 57 in just 51 matches.

Leo Ostigard headed in a third for Norway moments after coming off the bench to effectively wrap up victory. Norway got a fourth deep into stoppage time through a Hussein own goal.

The win left Norway on top of Group I on goal difference, level with France on three points after Les Bleus overcame Senegal 3-1 earlier in the day. The Norwegians face the African powerhouses in their next game in New Jersey on June 22.

No team endured a longer or more perilous road to the World Cup than Iraq, who secured their place as the 48th and final qualifiers in March after a 21-match campaign that stretched across 867 days.

Hussein, scorer of the decisive goal in the play-off win over Bolivia, was then held and questioned for hours by US immigration officials after arriving with the squad ahead of Iraq’s first World Cup since 1986.

Norway last played at the tournament in 1998, when coach Stale Solbakken was a member of the squad that famously beat Brazil in the group stage before exiting in the last 16. He also featured at Euro 2000.

After breezing impressively through qualifying, twice thrashing Italy, they are hoping a golden generation of players – led by Haaland and Arsenal midfielder Martin Odegaard – can break new ground in North America.

Solbakken predicted Haaland would make a “very big impact” at his first major finals, and the City star was quick to deliver on that promise.

Antonio Nusa’s trickery was a problem for Iraq, and his incisive pass released the overlapping David Moller Wolfe clear before Haaland stretched to steer in the low cross from the left.

Iraq, who lost all their of group games on their only previous appearance, did not let that get to them as they equalised 10 minutes later.

Amir Al-Ammari found space just inside the area and clipped in a cross, with Hussein rising brilliantly to power a header past Orjan Nyland.

But Iraq only had themselves to blame as they gift-wrapped Haaland’s second of the contest.

Goalkeeper Jalal Hassan was slow to react to a softly-hit backpass, his attempted clearance smacking off Haaland’s shin and ricocheting into the net.

“That’s horrible from Iraq. A nightmare goal to concede,” Sky Sports’ Sam Blitz said.

“Four minutes after scoring too. All that momentum has gone out the window.”

Iraq again responded well with Ibrahim Bayesh denied by a desperation block, Ali Al-Hamadi dribbling an effort wide and centre-back Akam Hashim lashing a spectacular volley just over the bar.

Ostigard nodded in Odegaard’s corner on 76 minutes to seal the points for Norway, before Haaland was thwarted by Hassan when another loose pass sent him clean through and seeking his hat-trick.

Haaland nonetheless had a hand in Norway’s late fourth, his looping header back across goal deflecting off Hussein before trickling over the line.

MBAPPE DOUBLE FIRES FRANCE TO OPENING WIN DESPITE BIZARRE NON-CALL

Kylian Mbappe scored twice as France launched their bid for a third World Cup crown with a 3-1 victory over Senegal in Group I on Tuesday.

But lets start with the game’s most baffling moment — when Mbappe was curiously denied a penalty despite several replays appearing to clearly show he was fouled by Sadio Mane.

The incident occurred in the 61st minute with scores still 0-0 and France being frustrated.

Mbappe burst into the box from the right wing, Mane lunged in and didn’t touch the ball while making contact with the winger’s left thigh.

The referee waved it away and pointed to a corner, but a VAR check inevitably followed. VAR Abdullah Al Shehri told the on-field referee that a review was, indeed, required.

Everyone felt certain about what was going to happen next.

“He doesn’t win the ball and he catches the trailing leg of Mbappé. For me, that is a penalty,” Alan Shearer said on the BBC. “Mané slides in, does not get the ball and leaves his leg there. For me, he is going to give a penalty and it should be a penalty.”

Former Premier League referee Darren Cann was also certain.

“For me this is a penalty,” Cann said. “This will be checked by the VAR. For me there is no contact at all with the ball and he brings Mbappé down. VAR should recommend a review.”

And then came total shock.

Referee Alireza Faghan stood by his decision, with the staggering reasoning that Mbappe was the one who “iniated contact”.

Former Scottish footballer Pat Nevin said on BBC 5: “That is just rubbish. Utter nonsense. No chance at all.

“How can he have initiated contact? The most nonsensical line I have ever heard.”

Later, Real Madrid star Mbappe took his career World Cup goals tally to 14 anyway — just two behind all-time leader Miroslav Klose — and Bradley Barcola was also on target as Les Bleus secured all three points for Didier Deschamps’ side.

Mbappe darted across the penalty area to convert a brilliant Michael Olise pass on 66 minutes to break the deadlock in a contest in which France struggled badly in the first half, but came to life after the break.

Barcola of Paris Saint-Germain then came off the bench to get the second late on, before his club colleague Ibrahim Mbaye pulled one back in stoppage time for Senegal.

But Mbappe saved the best for last, as he blasted in from long range in the 96th minute to seal the win, and become France’s all-time top scorer with 58 goals.

The decision by coach Didier Deschamps to move Olise infield from the right wing was crucial in swinging the game the way of the two-time World Cup winners.

But it is Mbappe who grabbed the spotlight in what turned out to be a memorable 99th appearance for his country.

Mbappe renewed his extraordinary love affair with the World Cup, in which he scored in the 2018 final as France won, and netted a stunning hat-trick in their defeat on penalties to Argentina in the 2022 final in Qatar.

The 27-year-old Real Madrid striker’s double took him past Pele’s 12 and overtook the 13 of Lionel Messi and fellow Frenchman Just Fontaine.

He is now level with Gerd Mueller in the overall list, with only Klose and the Brazilian Ronaldo (15) still ahead of him.

France, one of the pre-tournament favourites, will be expected to build on this to ease into the last 32, with outsiders Iraq up next before a meeting with Erling Haaland’s Norway.

Deschamps, in his last tournament before he steps down after 14 years in charge, has been wary of overconfidence in his talented squad.

Opponents Senegal served as a warning from the past — France went into the 2002 World Cup as holders and favourites, but lost 1-0 to the Lions of Teranga in their opening game and never recovered, going out in the group stage without scoring a goal.

Senegal showed how strong they are before a packed house of 80,545 in a game played in bright sunshine with the skyscrapers of Manhattan in the distance.

A team led by veteran forward Sadio Mane, and featuring four starters born in France, were playing their first competitive game since the Africa Cup of Nations final in Morocco in January.

Pape Thiaw’s side won that in extra time, but were later stripped of their title for a walk-off protest by several players during the match. Their appeal into that is ongoing.

They were the better team in the first half, as Nicolas Jackson almost scored on the break on 25 minutes when he broke away and hit the post, before the ball ricocheted off goalkeeper Mike Maignan and went just wide.

Ismaila Sarr then put a glorious chance over the bar in first-half stoppage time, and Senegal were to regret that.

Olise and Ousmane Dembele switched positions at the interval, with the reigning Ballon d’Or moving right and leaving the area through the middle behind Mbappe to the Bayern man.

Suddenly France came to life, with Olise being denied by Edouard Mendy and then setting up Mbappe for a chance that was saved.

France thought they had a penalty on the hour mark when Mbappe went down under a Mane challenge, but referee Alireza Faghani opted not to award a spot-kick after a review.

It didn’t matter, as Olise continued to tear apart the opposition and slipped in Mbappe for the opener.

It was a superb goal, and France struck again when Adrien Rabiot released substitute Barcola to run through and score.

Mbaye got one back on 95 minutes, but Mbappe had the last word.