Argentina: 2, Austria: 0

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Argentina’s striker Lionel Messi had a chance to score a penalty to become the World Cup’s all time leading scorer. He put the penalty wide, and the game remained tied.

Maybe Messi didn’t want to become the all time leading scorer on a penalty, because the miss didn’t change much. His goal in the 38th minute was the goal to give him the record, passing Germany’s Miroslav Klose.

Argentina controlled this game and kept a clean sheet. Austria really struggled getting shots on target, and Messi added another in second half stoppage time.

Messi, by himself, is why Argentina are so dangerous. Even at 38 years old, he is still controlling games better than anyone else ever has. He is the first player to score 5 goals at this World Cup in a stacked Golden Boot race. Argentina have also won Group J with the win over Austria.

Player of the Match: Lionel Messi (Inter Miami)

France: 3, Iraq: 0

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Iraq was no match for France’s overwhelming attack.  After seeing Lionel Messi’s performance in the game prior, striker Kylian Mbappe knew he had to respond. He got on the board quickly himself with an unbelievable weak footed strike from outside the box.

It was still 1-0 at halftime, but the skies opened up, and the game had to be delayed. It would be hours before the game would resume, but it eventually did, and France kept rolling.

Mbappe grabbed a second to put the game out of reach for Iraq, he is only 28 years old but he is now tied for second in goals at the World Cup with Miroslav Klose.

Someone with great club success, but has struggled at World Cups, right winger Ousmane Dembele, finally got his first World Cup goal in the 66th minute. France are through to the knockouts, but need to wait until the third match to see if they win the group.

Player of the Match: Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid)

Norway: 3, Senegal: 2

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A tough blow for Norway came in the 13th minute when right back Julian Ryerson, their best attacking defender, had to be subbed off for injury. It was the substitute, Marcus Holmgren Pedersen, who in his World Cup debut, scored the opener.

It wasn’t going to be long before striker Erling Haaland got on the scoresheet, and he did right after the second half began, a great pass from central midfielder Martin Odegaard set him up.

Senegal began climbing back, right winger Ismaila Sarr scored to make it a 2-1 game, but the mistakes from the Senegal defense were piling on. Haaland capitalized on one of those mistakes, scoring his second of the match in the 58th minute.

Norway was controlling the second half, but Sarr’s second goal in the 93rd minute made things nervy for the Norwegians, and it came down to the last kick of the ball for Norway to secure the win, and advancement to the knockouts.

Sarr’s goal didn’t come for nothing, as now Norway will have to beat France on the last matchday of the group stage to win the group. Senegal will need to beat Iraq and hope it will be enough, a disappointing tournament for them.

Player of the Match: Erling Haaland (Manchester City)

Algeria: 2, Jordan: 1

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Jordan was able to grab the lead in the first half on a good goal from defensive midfielder Nizar Al Rashdan, giving another good team a scare.

Algeria, however, did have the majority of the chances in the game, with more of the ball possession. It was only going to be a matter of time before they broke through. Substitute Nadir Benbouali scored the equalizer in the 69th minute.

It was the striker, Amine Gouiri, who scored the winner in the 82nd minute. Despite Lionel Messi’s dominating performance in the first game, Algeria can be dangerous on the attack. The game between them and Austria in the final game will be an exciting one.

Player of the Match: Amine Gouiri (Marseille)

Cover Picture Courtesy https://www.britannica.com/biography/Lionel-Messi