Modern football is a game of marginal gains, where elite teams invest millions into recovery, sleep management and carefully planned travel schedules. Standing in security queues and waiting for border clearance is not part of any high-performance preparation plan.

France manager Didier Deschamps suggested Kylian Mbappe will eventually claim the all-time World Cup goals record after the 27-year-old striker scored his second double of the tournament in Monday’s 3-0 win over Iraq.

Algeria stormed back to beat Jordan 2-1 and eliminate the World Cup debutants with a match to spare on Monday thanks to second-half goals from substitute Nadhir Benbouali and Amine Gouiri.

“For me, Lionel Messi is the best footballer of all time. Congratulations, champion,” Klose said in remarks quoted by German media outlet Süddeutsche Zeitung.

At their first finals since 1998, red-clad Norwegian fans have been doing their Viking row in stadiums, on escalators and even in New York's Times Square, but it has never been more emotional or joyous than after the final whistle on Monday.

The contrast between the two football icons adds another fascinating chapter to this World Cup.

Erling Haaland scored twice for the second successive World Cup match as Norway beat Senegal 3-2 on Monday to move level with France on six points at the top of Group I.

The second half began after a delay of almost two hours because of thunderstorms and lightning in the Philadelphia area.

Despite a disciplined defensive approach, the European side found themselves unable to suppress a milestone-shattering evening that propelled the defending champions safely into the knockout phase with a game to spare.

Having picked up maximum points against Algeria and Austria, the reigning world champions are guaranteed to avoid a third-place finish. As things stand, a first or second-place finish means Argentina will square off against the runner-up of Group H, a spot currently occupied by Uruguay.

When asked to rank his absolute favourite goal from his unparalleled World Cup career or describe the feeling of breaking the record, the master goalscorer could only smile through the exhaustion.

Lionel Messi rewrote World Cup history with a brace against Austria on Monday night as Argentina secured a 2-0 win and booked their place in the Round of 32. In the process, Messi also became the tournament’s all-time leading goalscorer.

Relive the unbridled emotion of a night built for footballing royalty.

The player widely regarded as the greatest of all time pounced late in the first half in Texas with a trademark left-footed finish after neat build-up play.

The conversation with his father carried special significance. Ahmed Shoubir, a former Egypt international, was part of the squad that competed at the 1990 World Cup in Italy, where Egypt’s wait for a World Cup win continued.

All eyes will be on Kylian Mbappe when France face Iraq in their second Group I match on Monday, with the Real Madrid superstar set to make his 100th appearance for Les Bleus and continue his pursuit of World Cup history.

The 38-year-old maestro broke the deadlock in the 38th minute, capping off a sleek team move with a precise, clinical finish into the bottom corner.

Now Lionel Scaloni's assistant with Argentina, Aimar enjoys a unique place within the world champions' set-up. Not only was he Messi's childhood hero, but he has also had a front-row seat to the captain's extraordinary journey since joining the national team's coaching staff in 2018.

Day 12 action delivered unforgettable match moments. But the true spirit of the tournament lives in the stands; thousands of passionate fans have flooded the host stadiums, bringing a kaleidoscope of color, energy, and unbridled emotion.

When Argentina take on Austria in their crucial FIFA World Cup 2026 Group J clash in Dallas tonight, Lionel Messi will have the chance to emulate one of Diego Maradona’s most memorable feats in the famous Albiceleste jersey.