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Star players shine as Ronaldo struggles in World Cup 2026 opening matches

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 18, 2026, 6:05 AM

Last updated Jun 18, 2026

Star players shine as Ronaldo struggles in World Cup 2026 opening matches

Summary

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is witnessing a competitive Golden Boot race, with Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi both scoring crucial goals in their opening matches. Mbappe netted twice in France's 3-1 victory over Senegal, while Messi achieved a hat-trick in Argentina's 3-0 win against Algeria. In contrast, Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal faced a disappointing 1-1 draw against DR Congo, failing to capitalize on early opportunities. Spain also stumbled in their tournament opener, held to a goalless draw by debutants Cape Verde. Pressured by media scrutiny, Spain looks to bounce back against Saudi Arabia next. Matches continue as teams vie for early position in the tournament.

Source Links

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By the Numbers

•Mbappe and Messi each scored goals in their respective matches.
•Ronaldo struggled in a disappointing draw against DR Congo.
•Spain held to a 0-0 draw by Cape Verde in their opener.
•Next, Spain faces Saudi Arabia in a must-win match.
•Teams aim to establish their positions early in the tournament.

Latest Updates

6:05 AMYahoo Sports — World Cup 2026: Golden boot battle heats up, Ronaldo off to frustrating start, Spain called for calm

What they're saying

"
Records have already started falling, stars are laying down their markers and the opening days of the 2026 FIFA World Cup have left plenty to unpack.Not all heavy hitters have lived up to expectations...
— Yahoo Sports

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