Hello and welcome to Daily Mail Sport’s World Cup Breakfast from day 12 at the tournament – your one-stop shop for everything you’ve missed overnight in North America.
For all the latest news, viral moments and what to look out for, stay right here.
OVERNIGHT ACTION
This is what happened while you were asleep…
Belgium 0-0 Iran (Group G)
Iran’s World Cup campaign has been engulfed in chaos around visas and travel restrictions, with chief among their complaints of ‘oppression’ being the United States’ refusal to allow them to arrive from Tijuana more than 24 hours before a game.
Belgium were afforded that luxury here and still could not score – or win – at the World Cup. It is now 1,305 days since they last tasted victory with a goal scored by one of their own players.
That barren run, which now stretches beyond 400 minutes of action and dates back to their opening game in Qatar, continued here – even after Romelu Lukaku made his first start for club or country in a year. Following this 0-0 draw, they have won just two of their last nine games at major tournaments.
READ DANIEL MATTHEWS’ REPORT HERE.
Mehdi Taremi’s well-worked freekick goal was ruled marginally offside, which kept Iran from a statement-making win
Uruguay 2-2 Cape Verde (Group H)
Cape Verde’s World Cup fairytale continued on Sunday evening, with the tiny island nation claiming their first ever goals in the tournament’s history, and making their chance of qualifying for the knockout stages an increasing possibility by keeping pace with Uruguay.
The clash was watched by hero goalkeeper Vozinha’s mother, who had been given a US visa and flown out to the tournament after news that they were parted from one other went viral after his performance against Spain.
But there was something to please every Cape Verde fan – and a slew of neutrals captivated by their underdog story – when, 21 minutes into the match, Kevin Pina struck sensationally to make history and put his team ahead.
Hunting for answers, Uruguay were able to pull themselves level in the 44th minute via a Maximiliano Araujo, with Agustin Cannobio confirming their lead just two minutes after that.
But after the break, Cape Verde came out with no little force, and in the 61st minute, capitalised on the mother of all goalkeeping missteps from Uruguay to wrestle back a point thanks to quick-thinking by Helio Varela.
Under-pressure manager Marcelo Bielsa cut a combustible figure on the sidelines, and Uruguayan legends Luis Suarez and Diego Godin both looked crestfallen in the stands. The latter even appeared to intimate that his team lacked bite.
But Cape Verde could have no similar complaints – and they have a final group stage tie against Saudi Arabia to confirm they have knockout credentials too.
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After two impressive performances Cape Verde might dare to dream about the possibility of progressing from their group
New Zealand 1-3 Egypt (Group G)
Egypt claimed their first ever World Cup win in some style to take advantage of a cagey Group G and move into first place in the standings with their 3-1 thumping of New Zealand.
After an end-to-end start by both teams, New Zealand opened the scoring in the 14th minute when an unmarked Finn Surman headed a corner home.
Egypt were determined to stem the bleeding and were given a flurry of free-kicks in dangerous areas, but Mo Salah’s curling attempt was the only chance that came close, flying just wide of the left post.
The Pharaohs looked like a different team from the beginning of the second half however, immediately putting the All-Whites under pressure.
With a wealth of possession and momentum behind them, Egypt finally levelled in the 58th minute as Mostafa Ziko capitalised on a superbly weighted cross.
Some quickfire passing in New Zealand’s box led to Egypt gaining the lead eight minutes later, with Salah playing a one-two with Ziko before firing a low, driven shot past keeper Max Crocombe.
A third goal all-but sealed the result in the 81st minute, substitute Trezeguet beating a tired-looking New Zealand defence to a corner and heading it into the back of the net.
New Zealand had a couple of slim chances to claw one back in the dying minutes, but were ultimately unable to take advantage.
The final Sunday clash also marked the return to action of VAR official Shaun Evans for the first time since FIFA cleared the referee over an inappropriate hand gesture – which the Australian official claimed was merely an ‘involuntary, subconscious twitch’ rather than a ‘neo-Nazi’ signal as alleged.
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Mohamed Salah scored his team’s second to give the Pharaohs their long overdue maiden World Cup win
VIEW FROM THE GROUND – IAN HERBERT IN HOUSTON
They like their merchandise at Houston’s George Bush International Airport, and this was one of the better T-shirts on offer today.
I promised myself I’d hold off on using ‘Houston, we have got a problem’ in World Cup match reports from the city for a game or two, at least, on the grounds that it’s a bit obvious and you can only do it once.
Then Germany conceded to Curacao in the first half of my first game, and I couldn’t resist. On Saturday, the Netherlands stumbled upon a new first-line striker, Brian Brobbey, and some of their fans were wearing tops stating: ‘Houston, we have a solution.’ I couldn’t resist using that either. That’s my lot. I’ve used my quota.
Little did Apollo 13 spacecraft commander Jack Swigert know how useful those few immortal words, uttered in April 1970, would prove for so many. I left the T-shirt at the airport.
Daily Mail Sport’s Ian Herbert resisted picking up this gem of a t-shirt from Houston’s George Bush International Airport
TEAM OF THE DAY
PICTURE OF THE DAY
There were extraordinary scenes as Kevin Pina curled in a free-kick to seal Cape Verde’s first-ever World Cup goal against Uruguay – sparking complete bedlam.
Kevin Pina curled in a free-kick to seal Cape Verde’s first-ever World Cup goal
VIRAL MOMENT OF THE DAY
Another day, another viral moment for Emma Hayes. It seems the world cannot get enough of the former Chelsea boss and current United States Women’s National Team head coach.
On Sunday night, Hayes returned to her now much-debated chalkboard. Is explaining football tactics in a studio that resembles a kitchen a misguided move by ITV? Who cares. Hayes once again showed why she is front and centre of the broadcaster’s analysis, expertly dissecting how Maxim De Cuyper’s overlapping runs were freeing up space for Leandro Trossard on the right wing.
She also delivered an emotional tribute to her late father, Sid, who died three years ago, saying: ‘One last thing – happy Father’s Day to everyone at home.
‘I know it’s a great day, but it’s also my father’s heavenly birthday today, and I want to say one thing to you, Dad, up in heaven.
‘Thank you for giving me the confidence to have this opportunity. I’ll leave you with this – what a beautiful view.’
She then turned towards the Hudson River, showing off her jacket, which read ‘SHE WILL CHANGE THE WORLD’ on the back. Kitchen or no kitchen, Hayes is a game-changer – no doubt about it.
Wrapping up her first-half tactical analysis, Hayes turned towards the Hudson River and showed off her jacket which read ‘SHE WILL CHANGE THE WORLD’ on the back
CELEBRITY WATCH
Football royalty Rio Ferdinand and Luis Suarez were among those in the stands yesterday.
Ferdinand was at Los Angeles’ SoFi Stadium to watch Belgium draw with Iran. The Manchester United legend was there to see former Red Romelu Lukaku, who started the match but was unable to find the back of the net.
Meanwhile, Uruguay legend Luis Suarez was in Miami, cheering on his former side in their match against Cape Verde.
Ferdinand responded to a picture of him at the Iran-Belgium match that he was ‘Watching my guy Rom (Lukaku)’ – the pair both having played for Man United, although not together
Uruguay legend Luis Suarez was in Miami, cheering on his former side in their match against Cape Verde
STATS OF THE DAY
Spain were crying out for their young superstar Lamine Yamal in their opening-day fixture against Cape Verde – so much so that BBC 5 Live said his introduction drew the loudest cheer of the night.
Against Iran, Yamal wasted no time announcing himself, bursting into life in the very first minute and finding the net just ten later. In doing so, he became only the second player aged 18 or younger to open the scoring in a World Cup match, after a 17-year-old Pele for Brazil against Wales in 1958.
And it wasn’t just Yamal making an early impact. Spain’s Mikel Oyarzabal also hit top gear from the off, registering two goals and an assist inside the opening 25 minutes.
That makes him only the second player on record (since 1966) to be involved in three goals in that time span in a World Cup match, after Hungary’s Laszlo Fazekas against El Salvador in 1982, who managed one goal and two assists.
Not a bad response from the 29-year-old after he was widely mocked for becoming the first player on record with 0 touches in the first 30 minutes of a World Cup game against Cape Verde (also since 1966).
Against Iran, Yamal wasted no time announcing himself, bursting into life in the very first minute and finding the net just ten later
THREE THINGS TO LOOK OUT FOR TODAY
1. Messi to become all-time World Cup scorer?
Lionel Messi takes to the field after his treble against Algeria drew him level with Miroslav Klose on 16 goals.
Despite widespread concerns heading into this tournament that Messi might no longer be fit – or the force he once was after three years in MLS – the 38-year-old has so far dispelled any such doubts.
He steps out in Dallas tonight with World Cup history in his sights once again.
2. How will Erling Haaland and Co face up against tougher opposition?
Norway made a strong start to their group-stage campaign, dispatching Iraq with a comfortable 4-1 victory.
But how their lump-it-to-the-big-man-up-top approach will fare against a far more technical side in AFCON finalists Senegal remains to be seen.
For those who put stock in FIFA rankings, Haaland and co could certainly have a real test on their hands, with Senegal sitting 15 places above them.
Martin Odegaard has struggled for both form and fitness over the past year, and he looked visibly frustrated when he was taken off in the last outing. His ability to put those issues behind him could prove crucial to Norway’s chances in this match.
Martin Odegaard has struggled for both form and fitness over the past year, and his ability to put those issues behind him could prove crucial to Norway’s chances in this match
Keep reading to find out what Daily Mail Sport predicts for the outcome of this clash.
3. Any late team news from the Three Lions’ camp?
England face Ghana in Boston tomorrow night, and attention will be firmly on any last-minute developments within the squad.
While there are no major concerns, a few key players are still being monitored. Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford and Declan Rice have all been under the spotlight in recent days.
Rice was forced off in the second half against Croatia, but quickly eased fears, describing the substitution as purely precautionary and insisting he has since felt ‘really good’.
Rashford, meanwhile, has returned to full training, boosting his chances of involvement.
Saka remains the main doubt, having been restricted to individual work, and it looks likely that Noni Madueke will get the nod once again in the starting XI.
One to watch closely heading into kick-off.
TODAY’S GAMES
Argentina v Austria (6pm, Arlington, BBC)
Messi returns to action this evening as the reigning World Cup champions take on Ralf Rangnick’s Austrian side.
While Messi is just one goal away from making World Cup history and becoming the tournament’s all-time top goalscorer, the priority will be securing progression to the round of 32 with a win. Although a point will, in all likelihood, be enough given the chances of a top-three finish.
Austria sit second in Group J after also winning their opening match of the tournament – their first World Cup win since 1990 – when they beat Algeria 3-1 last week.
Prediction: Argentina win
Messi is just one goal away from making World Cup history and becoming the tournament’s all-time top goalscorer after his hat-trick against Algeria drew him level with Miroslav Klose
France v Iraq (10pm, Philadelphia, BBC)
Last week, Les Bleus began their campaign by showing they mean business, demolishing the usurped AFCON champions Senegal with a ruthless second-half display, beating them 3-1, with all the goals scored after the break.
Kylian Mbappe was on the scoresheet twice and looked in particularly menacing form. The 27-year-old France captain has been on the receiving end of harsh criticism amid a tepid season at Real Madrid, but he firmly banished any idea that there would be lingering inefficacy when he pulled on the shirt with which he has found so much success over the past nine years.
His second was the pick of the bunch, fired into the top corner from 30 yards out and taking him beyond Olivier Giroud to become France’s all-time top scorer.
Iraq, meanwhile, find themselves at the bottom of Group I after they sank to a 4-1 defeat to Norway last time out, courtesy of an Erling Haaland brace. The outlook appears bleak for a side now replacing one superstar attacking threat with another…
Prediction: France win
Norway v Senegal (1am, Toronto, ITV)
Erling Haaland will look to pick up where he left off after scoring a brace on his World Cup debut against Iraq, although he will be realistic about the considerably tougher task his side will face against Pape Thiaw’s stubborn team.
Despite defeat in their opening game, Senegal can take encouragement from their first-half performance, which showed they are capable of troubling the best teams in the world. Their stubborn defence and attacking threat, led by Nicolas Jackson and Ismaila Sarr, merited a lead against the 2022 World Cup runners-up, but they were ultimately undone in the second half by moments of individual brilliance.
They will also be acutely aware that defeat, coupled with France taking at least a point from their meeting with Iraq, would consign them to a third-place finish at best – and will do everything in their power to ensure qualification is left to be decided on the final day of the group stages.
Despite defeat in their opening game, Senegal can take encouragement from their first-half performance, which showed they are capable of troubling the best teams in the world
Prediction: Draw
Jordan v Algeria (4am, Santa Clara, ITV)
Both sides will be looking to bounce back from opening-game defeats when they meet at San Francisco Bay Stadium later tonight.
Jordan were expected to rely on their resolute defending on their World Cup debut, but instead rattled Austria with relentless counter-attacking in a dramatic, end-to-end encounter that ultimately ended in a somewhat flattering 3-1 win for the Europeans.
However, their failure to win a match since mid-December will concern supporters, who are still hoping to see the nation claim a first-ever World Cup victory.
Algeria, meanwhile, will aim to capitalise on Jordan’s defensive vulnerabilities as they seek to move on from their own disappointing start.
Their 3-0 defeat to Argentina quickly turned into the Lionel Messi show, leaving them frustrated not only with the result but also with the refereeing, prompting a formal complaint to FIFA.
Defeat for either side could all but confirm their World Cup elimination after just two matches, in a fixture that may carry unexpectedly significant ramifications for the wider group.
Prediction: Algeria win
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