Messi ties World Cup scoring record with hat trick in Argentina’s 3-0 win over Algeria
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Lionel Messi delivered the first hat trick of his World Cup career Tuesday night, tying Miroslav Klose’s all-time tournament scoring record in front of a packed house of Argentina supporters at Arrowhead Stadium. The defending champions cruised to a 3-0 victory over Algeria. Messi put his team on the board in the opening minutes, added a second goal early in the second half, and completed the hat trick shortly before being substituted out. The milestone came exactly 20 years after Messi’s World Cup debut — in which he also found the back of the net. He now has 16 World Cup goals across six tournament appearances. His dominant showing overshadowed big nights from Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland, both of whom also scored twice in their respective matches earlier in the evening.
Argentina fans sparing no expense to follow their beloved team
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Die-hard Argentina supporters are going to extraordinary lengths to follow the defending World Cup champions across the United States. One group made a 20-hour road trip to Tuesday’s opener in Kansas City against Algeria, surviving on sandwiches to cut costs. But with Lionel Messi potentially playing in his final World Cup, fans say no journey is too far and no ticket too expensive. Among them is Juan Martin, who is spending $20,000 to trail the team throughout the tournament. He compares the squad and its captain to the Chicago Bulls dynasty led by Michael Jordan. Their devotion paid off as Messi scored all three of Argentina’s goals.
Mbappé surpasses Pelé’s record with two goals as France defeats Senegal 3-1
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Kylian Mbappé scored a pair of goals Tuesday to push his career World Cup total to 14, moving him past Pelé on the all-time list. Bradley Barcola also scored as France overcame a sluggish opening half to defeat Senegal 3-1. Mbappé had just 14 touches in a scoreless first half — the fewest of any player on the field — before turning on the jets in the second. He gave France the lead in the 66th minute and added another in stoppage time. Barcola came on as a substitute in the 80th minute and scored just two minutes after entering. Ibrahim Mbaye pulled one back for Senegal with an angled shot late in stoppage time.
Haaland scores twice in World Cup debut as Norway rolls past Iraq 4-1
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Erling Haaland announced himself on the World Cup stage Tuesday, scoring his first two goals in the tournament to lead Norway to a 4-1 victory over Iraq in Group I. The goals were the 56th and 57th international strikes for the Manchester City forward, and they came in Norway’s first World Cup appearance since 1998. Leo Ostigard extended the lead to 3-1 in the 76th minute off a corner kick from Martin Odegaard, and an own goal by Iraq’s Aymen Hussein sealed the result just before the final whistle. Iraq had briefly leveled the score nine minutes after Haaland’s opening goal, with Hussein netting that equalizer as well.
U.S. pushes back on Iran’s complaints about post-match departure
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration is defending its handling of Iran’s national soccer team after Iranian officials complained the squad was forced to immediately leave the United States following its first World Cup match rather than being allowed a day to rest. Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the White House FIFA Task Force, told the Associated Press on Tuesday that the U.S. had been upfront about the arrangement, stating the country “was clear this was the process.” Separately, Iran winger Mehdi Torabi’s entry visa expired after the team’s first game. Both U.S. State Department officials and team representatives confirmed Tuesday afternoon that Torabi had obtained a new multiple-entry visa.
U.S. team says Pochettino has built a tough mentality ahead of World Cup group play
IRVINE, Calif. (AP) — The U.S. World Cup squad says it is mentally and physically ready for a rugged matchup against Australia in group play this week, and players credit head coach Mauricio Pochettino for that edge. Midfielder Sebastian Berhalter says Pochettino has drilled a key message into the team: “We’re American. We don’t take (crap).” That attitude was shaped in part during an October friendly against Australia, which the U.S. won 2-1 in a scrappy contest in Colorado. Pochettino reportedly tore into his players at halftime, demanding they push back after the Australians played an aggressive, physical style.
Scheffler chasing career Grand Slam at U.S. Open, but says it’s not his driving force
SOUTHAMPTON, N.Y. (AP) — Scottie Scheffler stands on the verge of completing a career Grand Slam at the U.S. Open, a feat that would draw yet another comparison to Tiger Woods. This marks Scheffler’s first opportunity to join golf’s most exclusive club. Woods is the only player in the modern era to accomplish the Grand Slam on his first attempt. Between Scheffler and that goal is Shinnecock Hills, one of the most demanding courses in the country — and that’s before the USGA adds its own challenges. Rory McIlroy noted the course is playing relatively gently at the moment, but with wind in the forecast, conditions could shift in a hurry.
Authorities say they foiled planned drone and gun attack on White House UFC event
WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal authorities say they disrupted a plot to carry out a violent attack on the UFC cage-fighting event held at the White House last weekend. Court documents unsealed Tuesday reveal that those involved discussed using explosives-laden drones and opening fire on crowd members as they fled in panic. Encrypted text messages obtained by the FBI showed roughly 20 individuals sharing detailed maps of the area and talking about securing a safe house and planning escape routes. It remains unclear from court records how close the plotters came to executing the scheme, which was stopped last week. Among those arrested was a 19-year-old man from Ohio, according to the FBI.
What does a winning score look like at the U.S. Open? Experts say under par is the new standard
SOUTHAMPTON, N.Y. (AP) — Arnold Palmer famously declared that a score of 280 always wins the U.S. Open — a statement he made in 1960 during his celebrated charge at Cherry Hills, when even par was considered the benchmark. But the game has evolved dramatically over the past six decades, and so has the standard for winning. With Shinnecock Hills hosting this week’s tournament, the course’s reputation as one of America’s toughest tracks — combined with wind in the forecast — is generating plenty of conversation. Still, some former major champions believe that finishing anywhere from 5 to 10 under par would be a sign that the course has truly lived up to its difficult billing.
