The World Cup opened with its biggest stars seizing the stage. Lionel Messi, now 38 and at his sixth tournament, delivered the first World Cup hat trick of his career as Argentina beat Algeria 3-0, moving level with Miroslav Klose on 16 goals as the competition’s joint all-time top scorer and underlining the holders’ intent to defend their title. Kylian Mbappé answered with a second-half brace in France’s 3-1 win over Senegal, becoming France’s leading World Cup scorer as Didier Deschamps’ side shook off a sluggish start. Erling Haaland, meanwhile, marked Norway’s return to the finals after 28 years with two goals and an assist in a 4-1 victory over Iraq. Elsewhere, Austria opened with a 3-1 win over debutants Jordan, whose first World Cup goal briefly hinted at an upset before late Austrian composure settled it.