Returning Colombia beats World Cup debutant Uzbekistan, Ghana downs Panama on late goal, England defeats Croatia, Portugal and DR Congo draw

That's the final whistle, and what a stunning final set of minutes it was.

Both teams put on an energetic, forceful show, producing perhaps their greatest moments of offense of the entire game in the final minutes.

After Colombia's third goal, Behruzjon Karimov rocketed a shot toward Colombia's goal, only to see it clatter off the post.

Still, it was a historic game for Uzbekistan in its World Cup debut. It came out fighting and proved it is not going down easily.

Just as Uzbekistan was starting to make things uncomfortable, an unmarked Campaz pounced on a cross from the right in the ninth minute of added time and slammed it home to seal the deal for Colombia, 3-1.

Both teams are playing fiercely in the final minutes.

Uzbekistan’s Azizbek Amonov passed from the left to Akmal Mozgovoy, who fired a shot toward the upper right corner of the net, but it flew too high. 

Then, in the 92nd minute, Dostonbek Khamdamov nodded on a cross from the left, but then Colombia's Camilo Vargas caught the subsequent bounce off his defender.

Colombia subs captain James Rodríguez in the 71st minute for Jaminton Campaz.

Luis Díaz celebrates scoring Colombia's second goal.  Alfredo Estrella / AFP via Getty Images

Uzbekistan didn't have long to soak in its first World Cup goal.

The Colombians roared back with a vengeance, Gustavo Puerta winning possession toward the middle of the pitch and playing in Luis Díaz, who was streaking in down his left.

Utkir Yusupov got a hand on Díaz's first-touch finish, but it wasn't enough, and Colombia regained the lead, 2-1.

It was Díaz’s first World Cup goal. 

Abbosbek Fayzullaev, left, celebrates after scoring Uzbekistan's first goal.  Natacha Pisarenko / AP

In a historic first, Uzbekistan scored its first-ever goal in the World Cup!

In a dramatic play, Khamdamov saved the ball from going out of bounds on the left, crossing it across back to team captain Shomurodov, whose shot was saved. But the ball bounced off the post, and then came hero Fayzullayev, who headed into the net to seal the deal.

Uzbekistan is trying to ramp up its offense as we reach the 60th minute. It has yet to pay off, but Sayfiev is hugging the left touchline, and the idea is clear: catch Muñoz up the pitch and get behind Colombia's defense.

Uzbekistan is starting the second half with some substitutions as it tries to pull a goal back: Farrukh Sayfiev on for Sherzod Nazrullaev and Dostonbek Khamdamov for Oston Urunov.

And we're back!

Colombia has dominated and will look to add to its lead. Uzbekistan has been mostly pinned back and will need to take a few risks to even the current 1-0 scoreline.

What a strong start.

Colombia has been strong in its offense, maintaining the majority of possession thus far and registering seven shots to Uzbekistan's one. Colombia's attack paid off with a beautiful opening goal by Muñoz, and now it's halftime with the score at 1-0.

Daniel Muñoz scores Colombia's first goal. Carl Recine / Getty Images

Colombia's Daniel Muñoz ghosts behind the center backs in the 40th minute from the right and latches on to an exquisite pass over the top from Arias, touching it with the outside of his right boot over the keeper on the full volley to open the scoring! It's 1-0 Colombia!

Abdukodir Khusanov goes into the book in the 34th minute after taking out Luis Díaz down the left wing — and a cameraman.

Colombia's Luis Díaz came agonizingly close to scoring after beating Uzbekistan's center backs down the left from a through ball by Arias. But he could only watch as his shot bounced off the inside of the far post.

Colombia picked Akmal Mozgovoy's pocket to recover possession high up the pitch, but Jhon Arias' low shot from beyond the 18-yard box went agonizingly wide and hit the side of the net.

Maluma at the stadium in Mexico City today. Carl Recine / Getty Images

Colombian reggaeton singer Maluma is at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City tonight to watch his country's World Cup opening match.

Colombia's Johan Mojica earns the first yellow card not even 10 minutes into the game.

Having lost the footrace down the right wing, Mojica dived in front of Abbosbek Fayzullaev to bring him down. Colombia was able to clear its lines on the ensuing free kick.

We're underway in Mexico City! Let's play some fútbol!

James Rodríguez, who is without a club after a brief spell in Major League Soccer, will start for Colombia tonight.

Rodríguez, Colombia's captain and talisman, will try to take his nation over the finish line after Colombia failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. 

Rodríguez last club was MLS’ Minnesota United, and he played his last match with it in May. He has previously played for Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and other European giants.

Fans arrive at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City today. Luke Hales / Getty Images

The fun continues, but this time down in Mexico City, where Uzbekistan will make its World Cup debut against Colombia at 10 p.m. ET. 

It's in Group K alongside the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Portugal, which tied 1-1 today. 

It’ll be an intriguing game as Uzbekistan says hello to the global soccer stage, helmed by its coach, soccer legend Fabio Cannavaro — who is himself a World Cup champion, having won with Italy back in 2006. 

You may recognize Abdukodir Khusanov, who made history as the first Uzbek player to compete in the English Premier League when he joined Manchester City last year, and Eldor Shomurodov, the team’s captain, with stints playing for Italian clubs, including Roma and Genoa. 

Meanwhile, Colombia is ready to make its seventh World Cup show.

On Colombia’s side, fans from around the world already know Luis Díaz, who plays for the prestigious Bayern Munich, and captain James Rodríguez, the team's star in the last three World Cups.

Midfielder Kwasi Sibo, right, celebrates with Elisha Owusu after Ghana's victory.  Cole Burston / AFP via Getty Images

Gut-wrenching end for Panama and a victorious last-minute clincher for Ghana.

Panama clinched a corner kick in the 97th minute and aimed a header toward the net, but it was successfully saved by Ghana's goalkeeper.

In the 94th minute, Ghana's Caleb Yirenkyi scores!

Caleb Yirenkyi celebrates after scoring Ghana's first goal at the World Cup.  Robert Cianflone / Getty Images

It was a team effort — Semenyo drove the ball down the field and passed off to Thomas-Asante, who passed to Yirenkyi ready at the center of the box. 

Ghana's Elisha Owusu is out and Kwasi Sibo is in at midfield, and Panama switches out José Luis Rodríguez for Ismael Díaz in midfield. 

Rain continues, but the fighting prevails. 

There have been some good attempts at both ends of the field. 

Antoine Semenyo of Ghana shoots at goal. Ezra Shaw / FIFA via Getty Images

In the 65th minute, Ghana’s Antoine Semenyo fired into the box, but Panama’s Ramos cleared it. Minutes later, Ramos shot for Ghana’s net but was slightly too wide. 

We're seeing some substitutions in the second half.

Ghana sends in Brandon Asante and Abdul Fatawu to replace Kamaldeen Sulemana and Ernest Nuamah.

Panama replaces Cecilio Waterman with José Fajardo and Cristian Martínez with Azarias Londoño.

Panama's Cristian Martínez fires a shot, but it skims the outside of the net.

We're now at the hour mark, and the game is still scoreless.

Ghana’s Jonas Adjetey fires a header toward Panama’s net, but goalkeeper Orlando Mosquera catches it. 

Ghana's starting the second half with fresh fire.

Ati-Zigi is out as the teams return for the second half, and Benjamin Asare is on as Ghana’s goalkeeper. 

Panama midfielder José Luis Rodríguez, No. 7, and Ghana defender Jonas Adjei Adjetey.  Cole Burston / AFP via Getty Images

And we're back! Second half is underway.

We're now at halftime, and the score remains at 0-0.

Both teams have put up strong defenses, but Panama's offense is keeping Ghana's goalie on his toes.

It's still lightly raining in Toronto, meaning the players will have to be careful and even more precise.

The pressure's on for a goal in the second half.

Ghana's keeper, Ati-Zigi, is being tended to on the field, just minutes after he crashed into a Panamanian player while successfully defending the box.

Looks like he'll stay in for now.

Panama just made two attempts in Ghana's box, the first powerfully blocked by Ghana goalie Lawrence Ati-Zigi and the second too high just above the crossbar.

The teams are now on a hydration break, the first of the game.

Score remains 0-0.

Ghana's Caleb Yirenkyi just earned the first yellow card of the game after he tackled Panama's Yoel Bárcenas in the midfield.

Ghana and Panama are playing in the rain and are off to an already aggressive start.

Merely about three minutes into the game, Ghana's goalkeeper, Lawrence Ati-Zigi, blocked a Panama attempt at goal.

Cecilio Waterman of Panama controls the ball against Elisha Owusu of Ghana.  Robert Cianflone / Getty Images

It's officially kickoff! Ghana and Panama fight for their chance at World Cup glory.

Ghana and Panama will face off in their first game at this World Cup at Toronto’s BMO Field at 7 p.m. ET in the second Group L match up of the day.

It’s a consequential game for the two countries, as they fight to avoid the bottom slot of their group, which includes the formidable England and Croatia teams. Earlier today, England beat Croatia 4-2. 

Fans of Ghana arrive at Toronto Stadium. Robert Cianflone / Getty Images

Ghana’s Black Stars are no stranger to soccer’s biggest stage, as they make their fifth World Cup appearance. The pressure’s on for Panama’s Los Canaleros, who made their World Cup debut in 2018 but failed to qualify in 2022. 

Marcus Rashford of England, left, celebrates with Jordan Henderson. Michael Steele / Getty Images

Fun and consequential match today.

England’s win gives it an early leg up in Group L. While Croatia is still favored to advance, its path becomes slightly harder after the two-goal loss.

Harry Kane was brilliant, scoring two goals in the first half. Croatia found two equalizers in the opening 45 minutes, but England dominated the rest of the way, adding two goals while staying on the attack in the second half.

Off a corner and a subsequent header, Joško Gvardiol appeared to have a clean shot at the net, but his shot was blocked by a relentless Harry Kane.

Every goal counts during group play, so expect Croatia to remain aggressive.

Marcus Rashford celebrates scoring England's fourth goal. Alex Pantling / FIFA via Getty Images

That may be it for Croatia.

On a strong counterattack, Marcus Rashford took a pass from Bukayo Saka on the left side of the box, and from there it was too easy.

Rashford easily won his 1-on-1 against a defender and buried a right-footer into the right of the net.

Can Croatia generate some chances over the match’s homestretch?

Pickford handled a shot from the right side of the box by Igor Matanović, shoving it aside to keep England ahead.

England and Croatia playing at Dallas Stadium. Eddie Keogh / The FA via Getty Images

Coming into the game for England are Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford and Morgan Rogers, who could provide a nice boost over the final 20 minutes or so.

England has dominated the second half so far, scoring less than two minutes in and producing several chances since.

England has 10 shots on goal and is also winning the possession battle.

Croatia, however, has already equalized twice. Expect it to make a push over this final quarter of the match.

Livaković just made a bevy of massive saves after a corner into the box, stopping a Nico O’Reilly header, followed by an Anthony Gordon header off the rebound ,followed by an Ezri Konsa shot off another rebound.

Moments later, Livaković stopped back-to-back shots from Harry Kane.

It was an onslaught by England, but Livaković stood tall to keep the deficit at 3-2.

Declan Rice just fired a right-footed shot from the outside the box toward the far post, but Livaković pushed it aside for a corner.

Nico O’Reilly had a clean header off a corner, but he missed wide right of the goal.

Jude Bellingham #10 of England celebrates scoring his team's third goal.  Alex Pantling / FIFA via Getty Images

Only 90 seconds into the second half and we have our next goal.

A pass from the backfield eventually found its way to Jude Bellinham, who streaked down the right side until he buried a goal into the far side of the net.

England leads 3-2.

If the second goes anything like the first, we are in for an instant classic.

What a fun first half between two teams in the top 15 of the FIFA men’s rankings.

England leads in expected goals 1.36 to 0.43, but the match is tied on the scoreboard. Croatia hasn’t had many big chances, but it has been passing well, maintaining possession and taking advantage of the shots it does get.

Harry Kane has been spectacular, scoring his ninth and 10th career World Cup goals.

It should be a very fun second half.

Madness.

Croatia scores an equalizer in the fifth minute of stoppage time. Ivan Perišić just barely stayed onside to flick a header to Petar Musa, who smacked in a right-footer to tie the game.

We enter halftime in a 2-2 tie.

Kane just scored his 10th career World Cup goal off a beautiful set piece.

Declan Rice placed a perfect ball toward the far post, and Kane found it for a strong header into the back of the net.

England is back up in front 2-1.

What a strike.

Off a pass from Petar Sučić, Martin Baturina fired a right-footed shot into the top left corner of the net, tying this match at 1-1.

Croatia hasn’t had many chances, but it took advantage of that one.

Croatia is still struggling to generate any offense. Meanwhile, Jude Bellingham almost had a chance right at the top of the penalty box, but he hit the ground as there was confusion over whether a foul would be called. The play looked clean on replay.

England is up at the hydration break and has controlled this match so far, leading in possession 59% to 41%. Croatia has yet to attempt a shot on goal and also trails in accurate passes.

Noni Madueke just had a great run down the right side. His shot was deflected out of bounds for an England corner.

Incredible action in the early going.

After a Luka Modrić foul in the box, England was awarded a penalty. Harry Kane’s first attempt was stopped ... but Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livaković was ruled to have come off his line.

On Kane’s second kick, he didn’t hesitate as he fired a rocket into the back-right corner of the net.

England takes the lead in the 12th minute.

Kane is lining up to kick.

Kane won a ball in the box and tried to turn around and shoot. It deflected off a Croatia defender for a corner.

One of the most anticipated matches of the World Cup group stage is underway.

For England:

For Croatia:

Jay Croucher and Drew Dinsick look into Group L's opening match between England and Croatia, discussing why Thomas Tuchel's squad is "underrated" despite being favored over the Croatians.

England fullback Tino Livramento was ruled out of the World Cup yesterday because of a calf injury, forcing coach Thomas Tuchel into a late squad change ahead of his team’s opener against Croatia.

Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah was called up as a replacement and due to head to the England training camp in Kansas City. Livramento was injured during training on Sunday.

“A subsequent scan and medical assessment on Monday unfortunately confirmed he could play no further part in England’s tournament,” it said in a statement.

What a result for Congo, which scored its first-ever World Cup goal and recorded its first-ever World Cup point with this draw. Prior to today, Congo had never scored let alone earned a draw at the World Cup.

Yoane Wissa’s goal during the fifth minute of stoppage time in the first half will go down in history as a result.

It was a disappointing result for Portugal. Cristiano Ronaldo, one day after a Lionel Messi hat trick, was held scoreless.

Tomás Araújo was given a yellow card for a near-clothesline.

Let’s see if we get another goal before this one is over.

Nélson Semedo was carded for a takedown on Yoane Wissa.

Both sides have stayed aggressive looking to break the 1-1 tie.

Congo just had a great chance, turning a poor Portugal corner into a run-out the other way.

Cédric Bakambu had a clean shot from the top of the box, but he fired it too high.

Ronaldo just had another chance in the box, but this time some strong defense from Congo forced his shot well wide of the net. Ronaldo is starting to apply some serious pressure, though.

Ronaldo just received a pass in the center of the box, but the timing of the play was a little off, and his right-footed attempt missed wide of the goal. That was his best scoring attempt of the match so far.

We’re now at the hydration break in the 70th minute, still tied at 1-1.

After a no-call on Pedro Neto, there was some physical play on the Congo side of the field. Portugal then took exception to a takedown by Samuel Moutoussamy, which led to some light pushing and shoving.

Congo just had a nice chance off a throw-in, but Steve Kapuadi’s header off a header didn’t have enough steam to threaten a goal. Instead, it missed wide.

Some fun action in the first 10 minutes of the half, with both sides applying pressure.

Portugal’s Vitinha almost just scored a slick goal, but João Cancelo was caught offside.

Diogo Jota, who played in 49 matches for Portugal, and his brother died in July 2025 in a car crash in Spain.

Congo kicked off to get the second half going. Let’s see if either side can break the tie.

What a finish to the half, as Congo equalized in the final seconds for its first World Cup goal in the country’s history.

Portugal dominated possession 80% to 20%, but Congo actually generated better chances, finishing with the lead in expected goals (0.49 to 0.07).

While Portugal has done quite a bit of passing, Congo has been more aggressive when finally on the ball. Let’s see if the end of the half provides a boost for the Leopards moving forward.

Wow!

After a corner in the fifth minute of stoppage time, Congo has tied this match at 1-1.

Yoane Wissa scored the first World Cup goal in Congo’s history, knocking in a header off a pass from Arthur Masuaku following the set piece.

Yoane Wissa, No. 20, of DR Congo scores his team's first goal. Molly Darlington / Getty Images

Congo went on a nice run late in the half, but Samuel Moutoussamy’s attempt at a one-timer with his left foot hit a Portugal defender and went out for a corner.

Can Congo find an equalizer before halftime?

Mbemba was somewhat questionably carded after a battle for a ball in the air saw him get a little physical.

Portugal came out of the hydration break on the attack, but Congo’s goalkeeper knocked a shot out of bounds for a corner.

Fun stuff so far, with Portugal largely dictating the action in the early going.

While the teams are even in expected goals (0.05 to 0.05), Portugal has dominated possession, controlling the ball for 80% of the time so far.

Cristiano Ronaldo has had some touches, but has yet to attempt a shot.

Portugal’s Nuno Mendes was making a run in the box, but before he could shoot, a Congo defender kicked the ball back toward the goal. Fortunately, Lionel Mpasi was there to deflect the ball away.

On the rebound, another Portugal shot went out of bounds.

Bernardo Silva’s attempt at a sliding takeaway turned into a foul, and he earned the match’s first card.

Congo has finally played some offense after the Portugal goal and just had a legitimate chance.

Yoane Wissa took a nice left-footed shot from the top of the box, only missing the net left by a few feet.

Portugal started this match on the attack and it paid off!

Off a cross from Pedro Neto, João Neves headed the ball into the back of the net to give Portugal a 1-0 lead.

We’re underway in Houston. How will Cristiano Ronaldo perform in his sixth World Cup appearance?

For Congo:

And for Portugal:

When both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo left Europe for other pro leagues in 2023, both legends were seen as on the downswing of their careers.

Messi departed for MLS’ Inter Miami, while Ronaldo currently plays for Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League.

Yesterday, Messi quieted doubts that he could still perform against better competition, recording a hat trick in Argentina’s opener.

How will Ronaldo follow that one up? The 41-year-old scored only three goals total in his last Premier League season in 2022-23. And his last World Cup ended poorly when he came off the bench in a 1-0 loss to Morocco in the quarterfinals.

If Ronaldo has any magic left, this tournament — which he has said will be his last World Cup — is his chance to prove it.

Norway's Erling Halaand scored two goals against Iraq in his World Cup debut yesterday, and on most days that would be the biggest story of the tournament.

Yesterday was not most days, however, as a 38-year-old Lionel Messi scored a hat trick in his sixth World Cup appearance for Argentina last night, tying the record for most career goals at the World Cup.

That got Haaland’s attention:

Yesterday's four World Cup matches drew a combined 281,223 fans, breaking the 32-year-old single-day tournament record.

The previous mark of 277,070, also for four matches, was set in the United States on June 28, 1994.

Yesterday’s total came on an action-packed day featuring matches between France and Senegal (80,545 fans in East Rutherford, New Jersey), Argentina and Algeria (69,045 in Kansas City, Missouri), Austria and Jordan (68,527 in Santa Clara, California) and Iraq and Norway (63,106 in Foxborough, Massachusetts).

The total attendance through six days sits at 1,309,652 (65,483 average), putting the tournament on pace to smash the 1994 cumulative attendance record of 3.5 million, according to FIFA.

Group L opens today with a heavyweight contest between familiar foes England and Croatia in Texas.

Croatia’s extra-time victory over England in the 2018 semifinals remains ​a defining moment in recent tournament history, and although both squads have evolved, the ⁠psychological edge of that night still lingers.

After decades of World Cup underachievement (England has not reached the final since it won in 1966), the English enlisted no-nonsense German manager Thomas Tuchel to help lead them to glory.

Tuchel’s main dilemmas center on selection rather than fitness, with competition for places in midfield, defense and the No. 10 role, where Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham and Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers are vying for the position, underscoring the depth at his disposal.

Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha, whose clean sheet against Spain has already made him one of the World Cup’s biggest names, received some great news today: His mother will be in attendance for his next match.

Vozinha told NBC News’ Jesse Kirsch that he wished his mother had been there to see “the best moment in [his] life” when he helped Cape Verde draw Spain in their World Cup opener, but U.S. immigration rules made that difficult.

“The rules of visas in America changed,” Vozinha said. “So we didn’t have — we didn’t manage that. So maybe I will try to manage and to see if she can come at least to the last game, but let’s see.”

Cape Verde is one of 50 countries whose citizens are required to pay up to $15,000 in bonds before entering the United States due to a history of staying in the U.S. past the expiration of their visa. However, the State Department waived fees for citizens of five countries that qualified for the tournament: Algeria, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Tunisia and Cape Verde.

"All relatives of players are eligible for visa bond waivers, and the Department is actively reaching out to this player's family to assist with visa services," a State Department official said.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said today that he worked with Secretary of State Marco Rubio to waive visa fees for Vozinha’s mother and that she will be able to travel to the U.S. in time for her son’s next match.

Dos de los máximos contendientes para ganar la Copa Mundial de la FIFA 2026 entraron en acción y tuvieron un excelente debut. Jorge Valdano, Andrés Guardado, Gabriel Batistuta y Maxi Rodríguez nos comparten sus impresiones tras los grandes partidos.

Ghana will play its opening match against Panama without midfielder Thomas Partey after a Canadian judge yesterday rejected a bid to allow him into the country as he awaits trial on rape charges.

Partey’s visa application was denied last week.

He will remain in the United States while his teammates play in Toronto today. He will be eligible to play in Ghana’s next two matches — both in the U.S.

Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs had criticized the visa denial, calling it a “high-handed and extremely unfair decision.” Its appeal was heard by the court earlier yesterday.

Partey is awaiting trial in Britain while facing allegations from several women dating to his time playing for Arsenal from 2020-25. He has pleaded not guilty.

Kansas City, Missouri, the World Cup’s smallest host city, welcomes soccer fans to its stadium and fan zones. The city, which calls itself the “soccer capital of America,” hopes to show fans why it deserves the title.

Kansas City welcomes soccer fans for World Cup

02:32

Uzbekistan will mark the biggest moment in the country’s soccer history today when it participates in its first World Cup, facing Colombia.

Coached by Fabio Cannavaro, Italy’s 2006 World Cup-winning captain and a former Ballon d’Or winner, Uzbekistan finished second in Asian qualifying to earn its way into the expanded 48-team field.

Colombia is back in the World Cup after failing to qualify in 2022.

The latest injury news surrounding U.S. men's national team star Christian Pulisic sounds decent ahead of their second Group D game against Australia in Seattle on Friday.

Pulisic, 27, was superb in the first half of USA’s 4-1 win against Paraguay in Los Angeles last Friday, as he grabbed an assist and played a big part in their leading 3-0 at halftime.

But Pulisic, who has been plagued with injuries throughout his career, didn’t return for the second half and was subbed off at halftime due to a calf issue after a kick.

Yesterday, Fox Sports’ Jenny Taft reported that Pulisic is listed as “day to day” in terms of his injury status and remains in modified training.

Argentina debutó con una goleada 3-0 sobre Argelia gracias al primer hat-trick mundialista de Lionel Messi. El capitán, en su sexta Copa del Mundo, llegó a 16 goles e igualó a Miroslav Klose como máximo artillero histórico del torneo.

Harry Kane, one of the world’s dominant goal scorers, leads England into its first match against Croatia with the Three Lions seeking their first World Cup title since 1966, when they won on home soil.

Kane has been a force over the past year with 61 goals in 51 matches for Bayern Munich across all competitions. The 32-year-old striker has eight goals in two previous World Cups and won the Golden Boot in 2018 by scoring six times in Russia.

But he didn’t score in England’s semifinal loss to Croatia in 2018. In 2022, he missed a penalty late against France in a 2-1 semifinal loss in Qatar when he sent the ball over the crossbar.

Kane’s eight World Cup goals are two shy of Gary Lineker’s England record.

Tyler Adams of the U.S. men’s national team is helping to expand and diversify the game one field at a time by building mini-pitches across the country. The playing surfaces, however, aren’t made of green grass that can be a challenge to maintain, but of a blue hard-court.

“When you go down to a park, no matter what surface you’re on, as long as you have a ball, you’re happy,” Adams said on NBC and Telemundo’s “My New Favorite Futbolista.”

This was supposed to be Kansas City’s big night, making history as the Missouri city hosts a World Cup game for the first time, but Lionel Messi had to go and steal the show and make it all about himself.

Messi’s magical performance is all anyone anywhere is going to remember or talk about for days. The first World Cup hat trick of his career, to tie German legend Miroslav Klose for the most goals in World Cup history (16); that he scored all three goals and Argentina began its world title defense with a resounding 3-0 victory over Algeria in America’s heartland; that at just a week shy of 39 years old, the magic is far from gone.

He became the first male player to play at six World Cups yesterday, but 69,405 still showed up expecting to be entertained, ooh’d and aah’d and wow’d, and somehow he still exceeded expectations. Messi had them in the palm of his hand for the 80 minutes he required to collect his goals. On the 20th anniversary of his World Cup debut, Messi remains the ultimate showman, still making it look effortless as he runs circles around world-class players a decade (or two) younger than him.

“I can’t ask for anything more. God gave me too much, now everything is just to enjoy,” Messi told reporters after the game. “I’m just happy to be considered as one of the best in football history. I’m just grateful to be considered among many great players.”

An emotional Lionel Messi was wiping his tears with his shirt after scoring Argentina's first goal against Algeria in the World Cup, a strike that marked the beginning of a memorable performance where he netted thrice to secure a 3-0 win.

But while his first World Cup hat trick had many Argentine fans in tears of joy, Messi said he was crying for a personal reason unrelated to the sport.

“Why did I cry? It was something completely unrelated to football. I went through some difficult days,” said Messi, who is playing in a record sixth World Cup, after Tuesday’s match.

“But I’m grateful to the entire delegation and my teammates because they were always by my side, giving me a lot of strength to help me get through it.”