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Agence France-Presse

Lionel Messi and World Cup holders Argentina face Austria in Dallas on Monday with the Argentine great needing one more goal to rewrite the record books.
Ahead of the match, Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said that “there are no easy games” at the World Cup and listed the newly-introduced hydration break as one of the things that make the conditions even more difficult.
Messi, who turns 39 on Wednesday, equalled Miroslav Klose’s all-time mark of 16 World Cup goals when he scored a hat-trick in the 3-0 opening win over Algeria.
The Argentina captain was tearful after his first goal, and it later emerged that his father is recovering from an unspecified health issue.
Despite his personal travails and a troubled build-up because of a hamstring injury, Messi’s mere presence appears to inspire his teammates.
“If anyone thought this group was better off without Leo, today it became clear that Leo is the most important of them all,” midfielder Alexis Mac Allister said after the win against Algeria.


In a press conference before the match, Scaloni said: “There are no easy games, especially in the group stage. Historically, but now also with the 48-team format, the group stage has always been hard.
“Now with the conditions of the heat and the hydration break, the game is stopped constantly.”
Football governing body Fifa introduced the hydration break out of concern for the players’ physical strain. In each half, the referee is supposed to pause the game for three minutes after 22 minutes of play.
The format effectively turns the two halves into a four-quarter format, one that US citizens are very familiar with from other sports such as basketball and American football.
“In the end, it’s done to have more time, but it fragments the game. It’s four quarters then in the half-time we have just three minutes to talk to players between them coming in and going back. The ‘four-period’ concept is real,” Scaloni said.
“It feels strange adapting to this. Eventually, it will become the norm, just like any other improvement. For now, it feels unusual because the flow is so broken up.”
Some coaches have made a positive assessment of the break because it allows them to exert more influence on the game.
Argentina can qualify for the next round with a victory and would be assured of finishing top of Group J if Jordan fail to beat Algeria later on Monday.
Another player chasing the all-time World Cup scoring record, Kylian Mbappe, will play his 100th game for France when they meet Iraq in Philadelphia.

“There is nothing bigger – one hundred is a historic figure, and to have the chance to reach that tally here at a World Cup means it will be a special match for me,” Mbappe said on Sunday.
Mbappe, 27, is tied with West Germany legend Gerd Mueller on 14 goals after he netted twice in France’s opening 3-1 win against Senegal in Group I.
France, who were beaten by Argentina on penalties in the last final in 2022, will expect to brush aside the Iraqis to guarantee a ticket to the knockout phase.
Norway and their marksman Erling Haaland, who scored twice against Iraq in a 4-1 opening win, will also be guaranteed of going through from Group I if they beat Senegal in New Jersey and France defeat Iraq.


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Fifa World Cup 2026

Lionel Messi, who turns 39 on Wednesday, equalled Miroslav Klose’s all-time mark of 16 World Cup goals in the last match against Algeria. Photo: AFP

Kylian Mbappe scored twice in France’s 3-1 win against Senegal. Photo: AFP

Chinese referee Ma Ning praised for his ‘masterful performance’ in first World Cup match

Ma Ning was the first referee from China to take charge of a World Cup match in 24 years. Photo: Reuters

Referee Ma Ning (centre) and assistant referee Zhou Fei (right) before the Ecuador v Curacao match. Photo: Xinhua

Chess legend Magnus Carlsen hopes Norway’s return to World Cup ‘will be new normal’ for team

Magnus Carlsen is currently in Hong Kong for the FIDE World Team Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships. Photo: May Tse

Magnus Carlsen competing at the FIDE World Team Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships in Hong Kong. Photo: FIDE

Sport

Football

Argentina coach said ‘there are no easy games’ and listed the hydration breaks as one of the things that make conditions more difficult


Argentina coach said ‘there are no easy games’ and listed the hydration breaks as one of the things that make conditions more difficult.


Ageless Messi has World Cup scoring record in his sights, Mbappe set to play 100th match

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Argentina coach said ‘there are no easy games’ and listed the hydration breaks as one of the things that make conditions more difficult

Argentina coach said ‘there are no easy games’ and listed the hydration breaks as one of the things that make conditions more difficult