Note: This story first appeared in The Beautiful Game by CNN Sports, our daily newsletter on all things World Cup. To subscribe, click here. Mondays don’t seem so bad when it’s World Cup time, and we’re in for another treat as we start a new week of the tournament. After Cape Verde continued its fairytale run and Spain got back to winning ways yesterday, today’s action involves three superstars who all impressed last week. First up is Lionel Messi, who has already made history (more on that below). After that, we’ll have Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland taking to the pitch as the race for the Golden Boot (the tournament’s top scorer) heats up. First though, a note on the greatest to ever do it. Main Thing: Emotional Lionel Messi makes World Cup history If this World Cup has proved anything so far, it’s that Lionel Messi is still capable of being one of the best players in the world. The Argentine’s hat-trick last week against Algeria felt like a throwback to the forward’s prime, where he would turn up and win a match all by himself. As brilliant as it was, it was also a very emotional moment for the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner. After the game, Messi was asked why he had started crying on the pitch after scoring his first goal of the game. “I went through some difficult days,” Messi told reporters, without revealing any other details. But shortly after the game, the reasons became clear. Last week, his family released a statement in which they said that Jorge Messi, the superstar’s father, was “going through a health situation.” The family also asked people to avoid “rumors, and speculation” after misinformation about the situation had spread. Messi’s father, Jorge Messi, is “going through a health situation.” Jean Catuffe/Getty Images And yet, despite all that on his mind, Messi is expected to take on the weight of expectation again against Austria in his nation’s second match of the tournament. “It’s incredible that Messi started such a tournament with a hat-trick. Absolutely insane,” Austria captain David Alaba said, per Reuters, about the threat the superstar poses. “We know what kind of opponent we’re up against, what kind of quality they have in their ranks, even besides Messi, but also what they’re capable of as a team.” Messi, who turns 39 on Wednesday, made more history on Monday when he passed Miroslav Klose as the highest scorer in World Cup history. He missed one chance to pass Klose, sending an eighth-minute penalty wide, but made up for it 30 minutes later when he sent a rocket from the edge of the box past the Austrian keeper. He scored again just before the full-time whistle, putting himself two goals clear of Klose and giving himself five goals in two games so far in this tournament. Argentina won the match 2-0. Argentina vs. Austria Veteran Austria forward Marko Arnautović scored a penalty at the death in the match against Jordan. Georg Hochmuth/APA/AFP/Getty Images When? 1 p.m. ET Where? Dallas Stadium (AT&T Stadium), Arlington, Texas, USA The reigning world champion started its title defense in emphatic fashion against Algeria, led by the brilliant Messi. It’s not just the captain who is capable of a bit of magic, though. Argentina has a host of attacking talent that could make the breakthrough, including star striker Julián Álvarez. The forward started on the bench in the first game after nursing an ankle injury and it’s yet to be seen whether he can start from the off against the Austrians. Regardless of who it has in attack, Argentina’s defense will come under far more scrutiny against Austria, which possesses a host of threats that could potentially hurt the Albiceleste. Veteran striker Marko Arnautović came off the bench to finish the first game and might have earned himself a starting spot as Austria looks to cause an upset. France vs. Iraq Kylian Mbappé is enjoying a great start to his third World Cup. Charly Triballeau/AFP/Getty Images When? 5 p.m. ET Where? Philadelphia Stadium (Lincoln Financial Field), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA All eyes will be on whether France’s attack can impress again after storming past Senegal 3-1 in its first match. It took a little while for things to click in Les Bleus’ opener, but when they did, France looked every inch the tournament favorite many say it is. Kylian Mbappé will look to add to his two goals scored against Senegal as superstars continue to turn up at this World Cup, and you’d be a brave person to bet against him adding to his tally against Iraq, which was well beaten by Norway in its first group stage game. But this tournament has been full of surprises, so I’m not going to totally rule out another shock here – even if it’s incredibly unlikely that France doesn’t find a way to win. Quote of the Day Mohamed Salah has a lot to celebrate after Egypt won its first ever World Cup match. Anne-Marie Sorvin/Imagn Images/Reuters “It feels like we are playing in Egypt, with all the fans wearing red. Everybody is happy and excited. I do not know what to say.” Mohamed Salah, Egypt forward, after his nation’s historic win Yesterday was a good day to be an Egypt fan. After three World Cup appearances without a win, The Pharaohs have finally won a game. The quote above comes from captain Mohamed Salah who was central to the team’s 3-1 win against New Zealand yesterday. Salah scored once and assisted another to finally give his nation something to cheer about at the World Cup. The story behind Norway’s viral ‘viking row’ From Times Square to the waters around Manhattan, Norway fans have taken their “viking row” across World Cup host cities. Here’s the story behind the viral tradition and the man known as “Mr. Row Row” who helped popularize it.
