World Cup day 7: Messi's hat-trick and England put on a show

There are World Cup days you live through half asleep. While Spain was finishing off whatever series we were binging, across the pond they were wrapping up the big debuts matchday I set up for you in yesterday's preview. Spoiler: it cost nearly all the superstars.

What went down while you were sleeping. Messi decided the best way to start a World Cup is to leave no doubt: a hat-trick against Argelia and Argentina firing on all cylinders. With those three goals he equalled Miroslav Klose atop the all-time World Cup goalscorers table (16) and, at 38 years old, became the oldest player ever to score a hat-trick in World Cup history. There was debate over a challenge of his on Mandi that many wanted as a red but got a yellow instead: if a Getafe centre-back does it they're sent off; if Messi does it in his final World Cup dance, it's "competitive intensity".

Mbappé answered with his own (Francia 3-1 over a Senegal that gave them a fright for a bit) and Haaland had a field day in Noruega's 4-1 over Irak. The favourites, business as usual.

Wednesday's main event. Inglaterra 4-2 Croacia was, by far, the best match of the day: six goals, back and forth, and a brace from Harry Kane. Croacia, that side that somehow looks 38 years old on average since 2018 yet still gives you headaches, fought back, but this time they ran out of drama.

Colombia 3-1 over Uzbekistán and the tricolor off to a dream start (Muñoz, Luis Díaz and Campaz), topping the group at kickoff. But the emotional headline wasn't in the scoreline: after the final whistle, Colombian fans comforted an Uzbek boy crying in the stands, and the stadium ended up chanting "¡Uzbekistán!". If football were just tactics, we wouldn't cry over a 20-second video. It is, and we do.

First takeaway: the "Cinderellas" aren't just making up the numbers anymore. RD Congo nabs a point off Portugal and Panamá only loses 1-0 to Ghana in the 94th minute. This 48-team World Cup threatened to be a blowout parade; so far, it's serving up matches. Tomorrow, day 8, brings Canadá's historic record and a massive refereeing row. Puxa.

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