【World Cup 2026】Groups I–L Matchday 1: All 8 Matches Recap | Messi's Stunning Hat-Trick, England Win High-Scoring Thriller, Portugal Shock Draw
A full recap of all 8 matches from World Cup Groups I–L Matchday 1, played on June 17–18, 2026. Messi scores a hat-trick, Mbappé and Haaland each net 2 goals. England win a 4-2 thriller, while Portugal are held to a shock draw. Covers scores, goalscorers, cards, and pass accuracy.
The WC 2026 North, Central & Caribbean America Matchday 1 — all 8 matches across Groups I–L — concluded on June 17–18 (JST). With these results, all 12 groups and 48 teams have now completed their opening fixtures. Here's a complete roundup covering scores, goalscorers, bookings/dismissals, pass accuracy, and key storylines to watch in Matchday 2.
The undisputed star of the final wave of opening fixtures was, once again, Messi. Argentina defeated Algeria 3-0, with Messi delivering a stunning hat-trick at 17', 60', and 76'. France beat Senegal 3-1 thanks to two goals from Mbappé, while Norway dispatched Iraq 4-1 with a brace from Haaland — title contenders and star players alike hitting the ground running.
There were upsets, too. In Group K, title contenders Portugal dominated DR Congo with 75% possession and 92% pass accuracy, yet could only manage a 1-1 draw — another instance of a powerhouse dropping points. In Group L, England edged a high-scoring 4-2 battle against Croatia, with Kane's two goals signaling they mean business.
World Cup debutants Jordan and Uzbekistan both leveled the score at least once and showed admirable fight, but ultimately fell to the superior quality of Austria and Colombia. Notably, there were zero red cards across all 8 matches — two days that epitomized the tight, disciplined football that defined Matchday 1.
sports_soccer All 8 Matches at a Glance
| Date (JST) | Match | Score | Bookings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6/17 | France vs Senegal | 3-1 | Yellow 0 |
| 6/17 | Iraq vs Norway | 1-4 | Yellow 1 |
| 6/17 | Argentina vs Algeria | 3-0 | Yellow 0 |
| 6/17 | Austria vs Jordan | 3-1 | Yellow 1 |
| 6/18 | Portugal vs DR Congo | 1-1 | Yellow 4 |
| 6/18 | England vs Croatia | 4-2 | Yellow 0 |
| 6/18 | Ghana vs Panama | 1-0 | Yellow 3 |
| 6/18 | Uzbekistan vs Colombia | 1-3 | Yellow 2 |
There were no red cards across all 8 matches, with a total of 11 yellow cards. While title contenders largely advanced, the day was defined by Portugal's dropped points and strong showings from World Cup debutants.
local_fire_department 1. France 3-1 Senegal (6/17 · MetLife Stadium / New York)
A tightly contested first half ended 0-0. The deadlock was broken in the 66th minute when Mbappé converted from Olise's pass. Barcola added a second in the 82nd minute (assisted by Rabiot). Senegal's Mbaye pulled one back in added time, but Mbappé immediately struck his second of the night to seal a 3-1 win.
France controlled the game with 53% possession and 88% pass accuracy (505/575), directing 8 of their 11 shots on target to overcome the African powerhouse. Mbappé's brace confirmed his sharp form ahead of what France hope will be a deep tournament run.
sports_soccer 2. Iraq 1-4 Norway (6/17 · Gillette Stadium / Boston)
Norway cruised to victory on the back of a Haaland brace. Haaland opened the scoring in the 29th minute, only for Hussein to head Iraq level in the 39th. Haaland restored Norway's lead in the 43rd minute, Østigård added a third in the 76th from Ødegaard's assist, and Hussein completed a bizarre evening by putting through his own net in the 90th — having been involved in goals at both ends.
Norway dominated with 61% possession and 89% pass accuracy, while Iraq managed just one shot on target — a result that laid bare the gap in class between the two sides.
local_fire_department 3. Argentina 3-0 Algeria (6/17 · Arrowhead Stadium / Kansas City)
The reigning champions' talisman showed he remains the decisive force. Messi broke the deadlock in the 17th minute from De Paul's pass, then struck again in the 60th and 76th minutes to complete a magnificent hat-trick in a commanding 3-0 win.
What made the result particularly striking was that Algeria actually held the edge in both possession (52%) and pass accuracy (92%), yet were completely outplayed on the scoreboard. Algeria fired all 7 shots wide, while Argentina put 6 of their 10 shots on target — a stark reminder that efficiency, not control, ultimately decides World Cup matches.
sports_soccer 4. Austria 3-1 Jordan (6/17 · Levi's Stadium / San Francisco)
World Cup debutants Jordan put up a spirited fight. Austria took the lead through Schmidt in the 21st minute, but Orwan equalized for Jordan in the 50th. However, an unfortunate own goal by Al-Arab in the 76th minute swung the tie back in Austria's favor, and Arnautović sealed the 3-1 win from the penalty spot in the 90th.
Austria's 63% possession reflected their overall control, but Jordan's resilience gave a glimpse of what first-time participants can offer on the world stage.
star 5. Portugal 1-1 DR Congo (6/18 · NRG Stadium / Houston)
Title contenders Portugal suffered a shock dropped point. João Neves gave Portugal the lead in the 6th minute via Pedro Neto's assist, but DR Congo equalized through Wissa (assisted by Masuaku) in the 45+5th minute.
Portugal dominated possession at 75% and recorded a 92% pass accuracy (723/783), yet managed just one shot on target. DR Congo packed their defense, threw their bodies on the line, and claimed a historic point against one of the tournament favorites. Following Spain's 0-0 draw, it was another example of a top contender stumbling in their opener.
local_fire_department 6. England 4-2 Croatia (6/18 · AT&T Stadium / Dallas)
England came out on top in the matchday's most thrilling encounter. Kane opened from the spot in the 12th minute, Baturina leveled for Croatia in the 36th, and Kane struck again in the 42nd (assisted by Rice) to restore England's lead. But Musa drew Croatia level again in the 45+5th minute for a breathless end to the first half.
England settled it after the break — Bellingham added a third in the 47th minute and Rashford made it 4-2 in the 85th. With 22 shots (11 on target), England's attacking intent was unmistakable, and their quality showed throughout.
sports_soccer 7. Ghana 1-0 Panama (6/18 · BMO Field / Toronto)
A tense tactical battle was decided in Ghana's favor. Panama edged possession at 62%, but the match remained goalless until the 90+5th minute, when Irenki latched onto Thomas Asante's pass to score the only goal and send Ghana home with all three points. A gritty, patient performance that summed up African resilience at this tournament.
sports_soccer 8. Uzbekistan 1-3 Colombia (6/18 · Estadio Azteca / Mexico City)
World Cup debutants Uzbekistan pushed title-contender Colombia harder than expected. Muñoz opened the scoring in the 40th minute (assisted by Luis Díaz), but Fayzullayev equalized in the 60th. Luis Díaz restored Colombia's lead in the 65th, and Campos added a late third in the 90+9th minute to make it 3-1.
Colombia's 61% possession and individual quality proved the difference in the end, but Uzbekistan's spell of parity showed what the newcomers are capable of. Luis Díaz was the decisive figure with a goal and an assist.
star Pass Accuracy Rankings (Matchday 1 — All 16 Teams)
| Rank | Team | Pass Acc. | Passes (Completed/Attempted) | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Portugal | 92% | 723/783 | △ 1-1 |
| 2 | Algeria | 92% | 558/607 | ● 0-3 |
| 3 | Argentina | 90% | 503/561 | ○ 3-0 |
| 4 | Norway | 89% | 477/537 | ○ 4-1 |
| 5 | France | 88% | 505/575 | ○ 3-1 |
| 6 | Panama | 86% | 503/583 | ● 0-1 |
| 7 | England | 86% | 406/473 | ○ 4-2 |
| 8 | Croatia | 86% | 379/442 | ● 2-4 |
| 9 | Senegal | 86% | 430/502 | ● 1-3 |
| 10 | Colombia | 86% | 445/520 | ○ 3-1 |
| 11 | Austria | 84% | 488/580 | ○ 3-1 |
| 12 | Ghana | 83% | 292/351 | ○ 1-0 |
| 13 | Iraq | 81% | 271/334 | ● 1-4 |
| 14 | DR Congo | 78% | 197/251 | △ 1-1 |
| 15 | Uzbekistan | 76% | 242/318 | ● 1-3 |
| 16 | Jordan | 73% | 241/330 | ● 1-3 |
The most intriguing takeaway is that higher possession and pass accuracy did not guarantee victory. Algeria (92%) outpassed Argentina yet lost 0-3, and Portugal (92%) dominated the ball yet failed to win. France and Norway, by contrast, combined high pass accuracy with clinical finishing to cruise to victory. These two days were a fascinating study in the gap between statistics and results.
calendar_month Matchday 2 (from 6/23) — Key Fixtures to Watch
- local_fire_department Argentina vs Austria (6/23 02:00 · AT&T Stadium) — Group J top-of-the-table clash. Two teams who won their openers go head-to-head. Can Messi unlock Austria's stubborn defense?
- sports_soccer Norway vs Senegal (6/23 09:00 · MetLife Stadium) — A crucial Group I tie with a place in the knockout rounds at stake. Haaland's Norway face a Senegal side looking to bounce back from defeat.
- star Portugal vs Uzbekistan (6/24 02:00 · NRG Stadium) — Can Portugal regroup after dropping points? World Cup debutants Uzbekistan go hunting for a giant-killing in their second match.
- info England vs Ghana (6/24 05:00 · Gillette Stadium) — Can England's four-goal attacking machine keep rolling and move closer to the last 16? A mouth-watering Africa vs. Europe clash against a Ghana side who also won their opener.
All scores and stats are based on API-Football data (as of June 18, 2026). For the latest standings in each group, visit the article Group Stage Standings page. Full match schedules and results are available on the article Fixtures & Results page. Matchday 2 recaps and beyond will be updated as matches are played.