Yara El-Shaboury presents the latest Football Daily roundup.
“Yet for all the brilliance of Mbappé and Haaland, football’s greatest showman was not about to accept third billing. Hours after the younger generation had dazzled, Lionel Messi wandered on to the stage and reminded us sequels rarely outperform the original. A first World Cup hat-trick. A record-equalling 16th World Cup goal. Another entry in the ever-expanding folder labelled ‘proof he still has it.’ Argentina beat Algeria 3-0 and Messi was involved in absolutely everything that mattered, including a raking challenge on Aissa Mandi that surely would have been a red card for mere mortals. Perhaps not inconsequentially, Gianni Infantino was in Kansas, watching on through misty eyes.”
Despite the stunning performances from Mbappé and Haaland, Lionel Messi stole the limelight once again. Following the impressive displays from the younger stars, Messi made his grand entrance, showcasing his undeniable talent with a hat-trick in the World Cup. Argentina’s 3-0 victory over Algeria saw him play a pivotal role in the match, including a controversial challenge on Aissa Mandi that raised eyebrows. Infantino’s emotional presence during the match added another layer to the spectacle.
Portugal, however, experienced a less favorable start, struggling to find their rhythm against DR Congo.
“Ronaldo’s baying followers, swathes of them with local accents and wearing his No 7 shirt, had done their best to cajole a meaningful contribution from their idol but ultimately they had to settle for being under the same roof. Perhaps they expected a repeat of Lionel Messi’s staggering performance the previous night but Ronaldo did little to assuage concerns that his presence, once glorious, is nowadays a dead weight. The watching Gianni Infantino could have been forgiven for wondering whether Fifa’s contortions in freeing him from suspension for this game had been worthwhile.”
Fans waving Ronaldo’s No 7 shirts filled the stands, hoping for a spark from their idol. Yet, they were left disappointed as Ronaldo’s performance fell flat, failing to alleviate doubts about his current impact on the game. Infantino, observing the scene, might have questioned whether the effort to lift Ronaldo’s suspension had been justified.
England, in contrast, made a statement as they convincingly defeated Croatia, signaling their potential as serious contenders.
“They looked like they actually wanted to take part in a game of football, that this wasn’t just an activity to be undertaken out of fear and self-loathing. For the next 10 minutes they swarmed all over Croatia, might have scored four, and gave a glimpse not so much of patterns of play, but of a willingness to actually do this, of the muscle, speed and ruthlessness that are undeniably there in this team.”
England’s explosive start against Croatia showcased their intent and determination. For a crucial stretch, they dominated the game, demonstrating not only tactical awareness but a fierce desire to succeed, leaving a strong impression of their capabilities.
Welcome to live coverage of match 24 of the 2026 World Cup, featuring Uzbekistan and Colombia. This Group K clash is set to kick off at the Estadio Azteca at 8pm local time (10pm EDT/3am BST/12pm AEST).
The final match of the opening round may appear unassuming, as Uzbekistan makes its World Cup debut with a modest record of 14 goals in 10 AFC qualifying matches. They will face a Colombian team that has struggled to find its footing after a remarkable unbeaten streak that lasted from 2022 to 2024.
Uzbekistan remains one of the lesser-known teams at the tournament. Their qualification journey began under Slovenian coach Srečko Katanec, who stepped down in 2025 due to health issues. National hero Timur Kapadze took over, leading the team through an unbeaten stretch, securing their spot in North America.
In a surprising twist, the Uzbekistan FA appointed Fabio Cannavaro in October of the previous year. The 2006 World Cup-winning captain has had a lackluster coaching career since then, with a brief and unsuccessful stint at various clubs including Benevento, Udinese, and Dinamo Zagreb.
Just 18 months ago, Colombia seemed poised to be tournament favorites. Under the guidance of Argentine Néstor Lorenzo, they achieved notable victories against teams such as Germany, Brazil, and Japan, even pushing Argentina to extra time in the Copa America final. However, recent friendly losses to France and Croatia have revealed the squad’s reliance on James Rodriguez, coupled with Luis Diaz’s recent struggles at Bayern Munich and Jhon Duran’s decline after moving to Saudi Arabia.
I’ll return shortly with team news and an overview of the matchday events so far. Meanwhile, you can follow the Ghana versus Panama match and share your thoughts on the tournament by emailing jonathan.howcroft.freelance@.
