Deschamps hails 'extraordinary' Mbappe

Wed, 17 Jun, 2026

Deschamps hails 'extraordinary' Mbappe

East Rutherford: France head coach Didier Deschamps toasted "extraordinary" Kylian Mbappe after the France captain scored twice in the team's opening game at the FIFA World Cup 2026 on Tuesday to become his country's all-time top marksman.

"There are still people out there who will criticise him but he is an extraordinary player. Not everything came off for him, but he can win games in one moment," Deschamps said of the Real Madrid superstar.

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Group I: France 3-1 Senegal

Wed, 17 Jun, 2026

Group I: France 3-1 Senegal

East Rutherford: Kylian Mbappe scored twice as France launched their bid for a third FIFA World Cup crown with a 3-1 victory over Senegal in Group I on Tuesday.

Real Madrid star Mbappe took his career World Cup goals tally to 14 - just two behind all-time leader Miroslav Klose - and Bradley Barcola was also on target as Les Bleus secured all three points for Didier Deschamps' side.

Group I: Iraq 1-4 Norway

Wed, 17 Jun, 2026

Group I: Iraq 1-4 Norway

Foxborough: Iraq had to concede to Erling Haaland-powered Norway as they fell to a 4-1 defeat in their FIFA World Cup 2026 Group I tie on Tuesday.

Aymen Hussein drew Iraq level after Haaland had put Norway ahead in the 29th minute but an opportunistic strike from the Manchester City star just before the break followed by Leo Ostigard's header and on own goal by Hussein ended the West Asian side's hopes of getting something from the game.

Group J: Austria 3-1 Jordan

Wed, 17 Jun, 2026

Group J: Austria 3-1 Jordan

Santa Clara: Jordan's hopes of kicking off their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign on the front foot were dashed by a strong Austria at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium on Tuesday.

Ali Olwan's brilliant strike drew the tournament debutants level after Romano Schmid had put Austria ahead in the first half. Yazan Al Arab's own goal and Marko Arnautovic's stoppage time penalty, however, sealed Austria the points from the Group J tie.

Group J: Argentina 3-0 Algeria

Wed, 17 Jun, 2026

Group J: Argentina 3-0 Algeria

Kansas City: Lionel Messi scored a dazzling hat-trick for Argentina on Tuesday to equal Miroslav Klose's all-time record of 16 goals at FIFA World Cups as the defending champions swept Algeria aside 3-0.

Messi netted a spectacular opener from distance in Kansas City, then poked home from close range before completing his first ever FIFA World Cup hat-trick.

Relieved Donis applauds Saudi Arabia's defensive resilience

Tue, 16 Jun, 2026

Relieved Donis applauds Saudi Arabia's defensive resilience

Miami: Georgios Donis paid tribute to goalkeeper Mohammed Al Owais and his defenders after Saudi Arabia battled to a 1-1 draw with Uruguay in their FIFA World Cup 2026 Group H opener on Monday.

The South American side dominated possession with 10 of their 27 shots on target to Saudi Arabia's three but inspired goalkeeping from Al Owais and resolute defending limited the two-time world champions to just one goal at the Miami Stadium.