AT 38, MESSI BROKE DOWN IN TEARS AFTER ANOTHER WORLD CUP MASTERCLASS — AND NOW EVEN HAALAND HAS BEEN FORCED TO SAY SOMETHING. Just when the football world thought it had seen everything from Lionel Messi, the 38-year-old delivered a stunning World Cup hat-trick that left fans speechless and emotions running high. But it wasn’t the goals that truly captured attention — it was the tearful moment afterward, when Messi appeared overwhelmed by the magnitude of what he had just achieved. As tributes poured in from around the world, a message from Erling Haaland quickly became another major talking point, adding even more intrigue to a night already filled with drama. 👇 THE MOMENT THAT LEFT MESSI IN TEARS — AND HAALAND’S REACTION — HAS THE ENTIRE FOOTBALL WORLD TALKING.

France vs Senegal kicked off Tuesday’s action with a 3-1 win for Didier Deschamp’s side. An Erling Haaland brace just a few hours later helped Norway to a 4-1 win over Iraq in the second match of the day.

Reigning champions Argentina then faced Algeria with Lionel Messi emphatically responding to braces from Mbappe and Haaland, who issued his own reply to the 38-year-old, by scoring a hat-trick. Later on, Austria and Jordan clash with that game rounding off the action, but it is off the pitch where headlines are being made.

England were rocked by an injury blow to defender Tino Livramento, who has withdrawn from Thomas Tuchel’s squad with a calf injury.

He has been replaced by Chelsea’s Trevoh Chalobah, with that decision explained by the England boss in his most recent press conference.

Elsewhere, Roberto Martinez is reportedly set to leave his role with Portugal at the end of the tournament but he has denied any truth in those rumours.