Songkhla · League Cup · Defender · #5 · Brazil · 30 yrs
Lionel Scaloni lauded the masterclass performance of Lionel Messi after the captain netted a sensational hat-trick in Argentina's dominant 3-0 victory over Algeria to launch their 2026 World Cup campaign. Lionel Messi put on a clinic at Kansas City Stadium, scoring a magnificent hat-trick in Argentina’s 2026 World Cup opener to propel the defending champions to a comfortable 3-0 rout of Algeria, seizing early control of Group J. Following the emphatic victory, Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni was left in complete awe of his captain’s timeless brilliance, reiterating that the No. 10 has firmly cemented his status as the undisputed greatest of all time. “I’m honestly at a loss for words. What else can I possibly say? He has been doing it for 20 years,” Scaloni told DSports in his post-match interview. “The entire footballing world tunes in just to watch him play, not just the fans in Argentina. What he transcends globally is absolutely unbelievable. I don’t know what else to add. He will forever be the greatest in history—it is incredibly hard to imagine anyone ever matching what he has done”. With his spectacular hat-trick, Messi has now matched Miroslav Klose as the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history with 16 goals, while simultaneously becoming the first player in the tournament’s history to find the net against 11 different teams. Messi x3 🎩#FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/KWNuCSaCIs— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) June 17, 2026 Scaloni about Argentina’s win Despite Argentina’s emphatic final scoreline, the early stages of the match were far from a walk in the park. Algeria caused serious structural problems for the defending champions, even sounding the alarm bells when Fares Chaibi had a goal ruled out for offside after piercing through the backline. Reflecting on those early scares, manager Lionel Scaloni admitted his squad was fully prepared for a tactical dogfight. “We knew we were going to suffer out there. They are a very well-drilled team with specific elements that were always going to put us in difficult situations,” the coach explained. “Even though we came away with a 3-0 win, it was an incredibly tough match”. The Argentine also emphasized the unique psychological pressure that defines a World Cup opener, noting that the memory of their shocking opening-match collapse against Saudi Arabia back in 2022 was heavily on their minds. “The first match of a World Cup is always complicated; the mental side of the game plays a massive role,” Scaloni added. “The setback we experienced in Qatar definitely weighed on us.”
Widely considered to be trapped in the tournament's "Group of Death," Iraq heads into the opening match as the lowest-ranked nation in Group I. Iraq will be heading to its second World Cup in history, interestingly, its first in 40 years and the second ever in North America. The Lions of Mesopotamia secured their ticket to the tournament through the FIFA playoff round and were drawn into what is far from the tournament’s strongest group based on FIFA rankings. According to the latest FIFA ranking before the tournament, Iraq sits in 57th place with 1,446.28 points. While the nation boasts a record four Arab Cup trophies, more than any other country, it sits well below its career-high ranking of 39th, which it achieved in 2004. Drawn into Group I, widely considered the Group of Death, Iraq faces a steep challenge as the lowest-ranked team in the pool. France leads the group at 2nd in the world rankings with 1,862.11 points, followed by Senegal at 15th with 1,692.66 points, and Norway at 31st with 1,557.44 points. Despite facing obstacles traveling to North America due to airspace closures from regional tensions, Iraq secured their World Cup berth with a 2-1 playoff victory in March. Before the tournament, the Lions of Mesopotamia drew 1-1 with Spain but suffered a 2-0 loss to Venezuela. Zaid Ismael of Iraq celebrates after qualifying to the 2026 World Cup. Iraq’s World Cup record is sparse. The nation’s only previous appearance came in Mexico in 1986, when they were grouped with the host nation, Belgium, and Paraguay. They failed to win a match, scoring just one goal while conceding four. Forty years later, Iraq returns to North America seeking their first World Cup point, and first victory. Iraq’s Fixtures in the 2026 World Cup Grouped with France, Senegal, and Norway, Iraq enters as the tournament’s least-favored team in Group I, with the primary objective of earning their first World Cup points. Iraq opens against Norway on June 16, faces France on June 22, and closes group play against Senegal on June 26.
The former captain, who remains the national team’s all-time appearance leader, will not be part of the tournament in North America as questions continue to surround why one of France’s greatest-ever goalkeepers is missing from the roster. France heads into the 2026 World Cup carrying enormous expectations, but the absence of Hugo Lloris has become one of the major talking points surrounding Didier Deschamps’ squad. The former captain, who remains the national team’s all-time appearance leader, will not be part of the tournament in North America as questions continue to surround why one of France’s greatest-ever goalkeepers is missing from the roster. The French national team enters the competition with enormous expectations following a dominant qualification campaign and a squad filled with Champions League winners, established stars, and rising talents. A recent 3-1 victory over Northern Ireland in a warm-up match only strengthened the growing belief that France could once again reach the final stage of the tournament. Kylian Mbappe and his teammates convincingly qualified for the World Cup, finishing first in Group D with five wins and one draw from six matches. The national team scored 16 goals and conceded only four, underlining the balance that has defined Deschamps’ era in charge. The squad will begin its Group I campaign against Senegal before facing Iraq and Norway in the opening stage. With matches scheduled in New York, Philadelphia, and Boston, France is widely expected to top the group and advance comfortably into the knockout rounds. Didier Deschamps, Head Coach of France, celebrates with Kylian Mbappe. Didier Deschamps is preparing for what is expected to be his final major tournament as the Blues’ manager. The former World Cup-winning captain has transformed the national team into one of the most consistent forces in international soccer since taking charge in 2012, guiding the team to World Cup glory in 2018 and another final appearance in 2022. Why Hugo Lloris is missing the 2026 World Cup The reasoning behind Lloris’ absence ultimately comes down to a decision made several years ago. Hugo Lloris officially retired from international soccer in January 2023, shortly after France’s heartbreaking defeat to Argentina in the 2022 World Cup final. After representing France for 14 years and becoming the country’s all-time appearance leader with 145 caps, Lloris decided the time had come to step away from the national team. The veteran goalkeeper cited mental and physical fatigue after years of competing at the highest level. He also wanted to step aside while still performing at an elite level and allow the next generation of goalkeepers to emerge. The legendary goalkeeper did, in fact, pave the way for the next generation of French players, especially goalkeeper Mike Maignan, who has since established himself as the country’s undisputed first-choice option. Despite retiring from the national team, Lloris continued his club career and eventually moved to Major League Soccer with LAFC. His performances in the United States have reportedly been impressive, sparking rumors that he could make a sensational return ahead of the 2026 tournament. Hugo Lloris of France shows teh World Cup trophy to teammates after the 2018 FIFA World Cup Final Deschamps chooses future over experience Although speculation over a comeback intensified in recent months, Deschamps ultimately decided against recalling the former captain. The France coach instead chose to continue building around the country’s new goalkeeping hierarchy, led by Mike Maignan. Milan’s captain has now firmly established himself as France’s number-one goalkeeper following Lloris’ retirement. Behind him, Deschamps preferred younger options rather than bringing back a veteran nearing the end of his career. Mike Maignan of France looks on That decision reflects Les Bleus’ broader long-term transition. Several younger stars are now expected to form the foundation of the nat
New Crystal Palace boss Pierre Sage has said "Oliver Glasner achieved some amazing things, and now I have to do the same", after signing a three-year deal at Selhurst Park. Glasner was in charge of Palace for 28 months and led the side to a historic FA Cup and Conference League victory, as well as winning the Community Shield. Sage has joined the Eagles after winning the French Cup with Lens and finishing second in Ligue 1, six points behind champions Paris St-Germain.
The stars could align for Scottie Scheffler at Shinnecock Hills this week, with the 29-year-old able to complete the final leg of his career Grand Slam and become only the seventh player in history to do so, should he claim victory at the US Open.
Germany have now won 10 straight matches, but Julian Nagelsmann said his team needed the confidence that comes with a 7-1 victory. The post Nagelsmann: Germany needed confidence-boosting hammering of Curacao appeared first on SoccerNews.
Goalscorer Connor Metcalfe ‘pretty knackered’ after late-night flightSocceroos back in Oakland to continue preparations for US gameSocceroos goalscorer Connor Metcalfe admitted he hadn’t had the greatest sleep since Australia’s opening World Cup victory over Turkey.“It’s crazy to score, to get the win. I mean, you couldn’t ask for a better start, could you?” he said, speaking back at the team’s training base in Oakland barely 22 hours after the historic scenes in Vancouver. Continue reading...
