Messi And The Holders Argentina Meet Austria, And France Face Iraq In A Loaded Group I And J Monday

A Group I clash at Lincoln Financial Field sends France in against Iraq with a path to the knockout rounds already opening up. France began their campaign with a 3-1 win over Senegal, a night defined by Kylian Mbappe, who scored twice to become France's all-time leading scorer with 58 goals, with Bradley Barcola adding the third. Sitting on three points, Les Bleus can take a major step toward the next round with a second victory here.

Iraq arrive in a far tougher spot after a 4-1 defeat to Norway, a match in which Erling Haaland scored a first-half brace and Iraq's lone bright spot was an Aymen Hussein strike. Beaten in their opener and with no points on the board, Iraq need a result against one of the tournament favorites simply to keep their hopes alive, a daunting assignment against a France side brimming with attacking talent.

France will expect to control possession and territory, and the question is less whether they create chances than how clinically they take them against a deep Iraqi defensive block. Iraq's plan will be to stay compact, limit Mbappe's space, and look for a moment on the counter or from a set piece. With France's superior quality across the pitch, the favorites enter as the clear side to beat, but a single goal could keep Iraq in a match they cannot afford to lose by much.

A pivotal Group I meeting at MetLife Stadium sends Norway in against Senegal in a match that could shape the order behind France. Norway returned to the World Cup for the first time in 28 years and made an immediate statement, beating Iraq 4-1 with Erling Haaland scoring twice on his tournament debut, his first goals at a major international tournament, before further strikes from Leo Ostigard and an own goal. Three points and a strong goal difference have Norway in excellent position.

Senegal, by contrast, are under pressure after a 3-1 loss to France in their opener, a game in which Ibrahim Mbaye pulled one back late but the result never seriously threatened the French. With no points on the board, Senegal need a response, and their pace and physicality in midfield and attack make them a dangerous opponent capable of testing any side when they play on the front foot.

The contrast is compelling: a Norway side riding Haaland's form and confidence against a talented Senegal team that must win to keep control of its own fate. Norway will look to play to their striker's strengths and punish any space in behind, while Senegal will need to balance the urgency of chasing a result with the risk of leaving gaps for Haaland to exploit. With both teams capable of scoring, this has the makings of an open, high-quality matchday-two fixture.

The Monday nightcap at Levi's Stadium is a Group J meeting between two sides who both lost their openers and arrive needing a result to keep their tournaments alive. Jordan, making their World Cup debut, were beaten 3-1 by Austria, though Ali Olwan's strike, the nation's first ever goal at a World Cup, gave their supporters a moment to remember. Algeria, meanwhile, were shut out 3-0 by Argentina in a match dominated by Messi's hat-trick.

With both teams on zero points and Argentina and Austria each on three, a defeat here would leave the loser facing near-elimination heading into the final round of group play. That raises the stakes considerably, and both sides know a win is close to essential if they are to retain any realistic hope of advancing from a group led by two in-form teams.

Algeria carry the greater tournament pedigree and will look to assert control, but Jordan showed enough spirit against Austria to suggest they will not simply sit back. Expect a tense, cautious affair early, with both teams wary of conceding first and falling further behind in the group. For a debutant nation chasing a historic point and an Algeria side desperate to recover from a chastening opener, the margins could not be finer.