Messi tears, Tuchel anthem vow, Scotland death – World Cup round-up | Football | Sport

Here’s everything you need to know from last night’s World Cup action on Wednesday morning:

• Lionel Messi captured the headlines by securing two pieces of history during Argentina’s match against Algeria, scoring a spectacular hat-trick that marked the very first time he has scored three goals in a single World Cup game. This sensational performance brought the 38-year-old superstar level with German legend Miroslav Klose on 16 total World Cup goals.

• Erling Haaland, who opened his World Cup account with a brace, was left stunned. Reacting to the display on social media, Haaland made his feelings perfectly clear to his followers on Snapchat by writing: “Messi is a madman.”

• Earlier in the day, Haaland had briefly stolen the spotlight from France’s Kylian Mbappe—who scored twice in a 3-1 victory over Senegal—by netting a brace of his own against Iraq. However, both stars were ultimately overshadowed by Messi’s late-night heroics.

• Outside of the action on the pitch, England manager Thomas Tuchel addressed his stance on pre-match traditions, while the tournament was also struck by tragic news regarding a dedicated member of the Tartan Army. During his press conference, Tuchel discussed whether he would participate in singing the English national anthem before matches, openly stating that he is “not there yet” when it comes to the tradition.

• Seventy-six-year-old Scotland supporter Donny Strathie tragically died in Boston on Sunday. The Tartan Army footsolider had a ticket for the upcoming match against Morocco and his grieving family has requested that a special tribute be paid to him during that fixture.

• Zlatan Ibrahimovic has joined FOX Sports as an analyst throughout the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but appeared to call co-pundit Alexi Lalas “ignorant” in his latest dig at the former United States men’s national team player over his claims about France before their 3-1 win over Senegal.

• Follow all of the World Cup updates: World Cup LIVE: Lionel Messi tears and Scotland tribute plea after tragic death