FIFA World Cup™ history was made and the tournament’s star players continued to shine as Groups I and J kicked off their second round of matches in the USA.
Argentina made it two wins from two, as did France and Norway, whilst Algeria came from behind to keep their hopes alive and eliminate Jordan.
Group I
France 3 Iraq 0
Tournament favourites France maintained their 100% record with a comfortable victory over Iraq in Philadelphia, despite a storm delay that lasted over two hours.
Kylian Mbappé scored twice – as he did against Senegal – to put the 2018 winners in charge, before reigning Balon d’Or holder Ousmane Dembélé added a third to put the tie beyond doubt.
Iraq would have been disappointed with the nature of the opening two strikes. The first arguably beating goalkeeper Ahmed Basil Fadhil a little too easily, whilst the second came from a calamitous attempt to pass the ball out from the back.
Supporters inside the Philadelphia Stadium were made to wait for the second-half action, when a torrential downpour and storm warning meant a two hour delay in proceedings. It didn’t seem to effect the spirit of those in attendance however, nor the potency of the French attack, who were able to call upon the likes of Rayan Cherki, Désiré Doué and Marcus Thuram in the second period, underlining their impressive squad depth.
Norway 3 Senegal 2
Norway confirmed their place in the final 32 following an entertaining victory over Senegal in New Jersey. A brace from Manchester City forward Erling Haaland was key for Ståle Solbakken’s side, who advance past the group stage of a FIFA World Cup™ for just the second time in their history.
Marcus Holmgren Pedersen opened the scoring for Norway just before half-time, before Haaland scored his first after the break. It appeared as if Solbakken’s team were heading for a comfortable three points until Ismaïla Sarr pulled one back – the Crystal Palace forward contorting his body to hook the ball home from close range.
Hopes of a comeback for Pape Thiaw’s team were dealt a blow just five minutes later, when Haaland struck again, to take his tournament tally to four – matching group rival Mbappé – the forward with a typically powerful finish from close range.
Sarr grabbed a second for Senegal in stoppage-time to reduce the arrears to just one and heighten the tension for Norwegian fans, but it proved to be nothing more than a consolation, as Norway held on to book their place in the knockout stages.
Senegal will now need to beat Iraq in their final match and hope results elsewhere go their way if their World Cup adventure is to continue.
Group J
Argentina 2 Austria 0
Having bagged a hat-trick in his side’s opening victory over Algeria, the Inter Miami forward added two more, along with missing an early penalty, to secure the defending champion’s place in the knockout stages.
Just nine minutes were on the clock when Argentina were gifted an opportunity from the penalty spot following a lengthy VAR check. Messi however, lacked conviction from 12 yards and hooked his tame effort past Alexander Schlager’s left-hand post.
Amends were made in the 38th minute, when Messi opened the scoring – ghosting in at the edge of the box and side-footing low into the corner with typical aplomb. The No. 10 would add a second to seal victory deep into second-half stoppage time, scrambling the ball home as Austria failed to clear their lines.
Austria can still advance as group runners-up, if they avoid defeat to Algeria in their final match later this week.
Having been well-beaten by Argentina in their opening match, Algeria were keen to rebound, with much expected of the African nation prior to the tournament.
They had to do it the hard way however, going behind just under ten minutes before the break, when Nizar Al Rashdan put Jordan in front – prodding home from inside the box with the outside of his right boot.
It took Algeria time to find their way back into the contest, despite dominating the possession and shot count as the match wore on. It was the 69th minute when the deserved equaliser finally arrived, Nadir Benbouali rising highest to nod in from a Riyad Mahrez corner kick.
13 minutes later and the winner duly arrived. Amine Gouiri reacting quickest to make the most of panic in the Jordan penalty, as he smuggled the ball in from close range following another corner. Gouiri at first appeared to come from an offside position, but replays showed the ball had ricocheted into his path via a Jordanian defender.
Victory means Algeria can still advance from the group stage, with victory over Austria a likely necessity in their final group stage match.
RESULTS
Group I
France 3 (Kylian MBAPPE 14′, 54, Ousmane DEMBELE 66′) Iraq 0
Norway 3 (Marcus Holmgren PEDERSEN 43′, Erling HAALAND 48′, 58′) Senegal 2 (Ismaïla SARR 53′, 90+3′)
Group J
Argentina 2 (Lionel MESSI 38′, 90+5′) Austria 0
Jordan 1 (Nizar Al Rashdan 36′) Algeria 2 (Nadir Benbouali 69′, Amine Gouiri 82′)
WHAT’S NEXT
Wednesday 24 June
Group K: Portugal v Uzbekistan | 5am NZT (Houston)
Group L: England v Ghana | 8am NZT (Boston)
Group L: Panama v Croatia | 11am NZT (Toronto)
Group K: Colombia v DR Congo | 2pm NZT (Guadalajara)
(Photo Credits FIFA via Getty Images)