Kansas City, June 17 -- Lionel Messi produced a vintage performance to write another chapter in football history, while Kylian Mbappe shattered a long-standing French record and Erling Haaland marked his long-awaited FIFA World Cup debut with a brace as the sport's biggest stars lit up their respective opening days of the FIFA World Cup 2026.

The trio combined for seven goals on a memorable day of action, with Messi stealing the spotlight through a stunning hat-trick in Argentina's 3-0 win over Algeria, Mbappe inspiring France to a 3-1 victory against Senegal, and Haaland powering Norway to a commanding 4-1 triumph over Iraq, according to FIFA.

At Kansas City Stadium, Messi once again showed why he remains one of football's defining fig...