RecapTuesday, June 23

Haaland's Hat-Trick Steals the Show as Favourites Roll and Algeria Survives

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Argentina and France cruised to expected victories while Norway's Erling Haaland delivered a stunning hat-trick in a five-goal thriller against Senegal, but the day's closest call came in the desert as Algeria scraped past Jordan to keep their knockout hopes flickering.

The crowd nailed three of four outcomes (75% accuracy) and collected an extraordinary 33 exact scorelines on France's 3–0 demolition of Iraq — but Norway's 3–2 win wrong-footed 49 of you who'd backed the draw or Senegal.

Messi & Martínez Make It Six From Six

The world champions dispatched Austria 2–0 in front of a raucous crowd in Miami, extending their perfect start in Group J. Lionel Messi opened the scoring with a trademark curling effort in the 34th minute before Lautaro Martínez doubled the advantage just after the hour mark, sealing Argentina's second straight clean sheet. Emi Martínez was rarely tested but commanded his area with authority when called upon. Pre-match markets had made Argentina heavy favourites at around 1.36 (BetMGM), and they delivered precisely what the 63 pool members who backed them expected — though only 12 called the exact 2–0 scoreline that was the third-most popular guess.

Haaland's Masterclass Lights Up Group I

Erling Haaland announced himself at this World Cup with a scintillating hat-trick as Norway edged Senegal 3–2 in a pulsating encounter that swung back and forth across 90 minutes. The Manchester City striker opened the scoring inside ten minutes, added a second from the penalty spot before half-time, then completed his treble with a clinical finish in the 78th minute — just four minutes after Sadio Mané had pulled Senegal back to 2–2 and threatened to spoil the party. Mané and Ismaïla Sarr both found the net for the Lions of Teranga, but it was Haaland's night. Pre-match odds had Norway as slight favourites around 2.20 (DraftKings), yet 32 of you hedged with a draw and 17 backed Senegal outright — only 25 trusted the Scandinavians, and just four nailed the 3–2 scoreline. Norway now sit level on six points with France atop Group I, while Senegal's tournament hangs by a thread.

Les Bleus Stroll Past Overmatched Iraq

France delivered the day's most emphatic result, dismantling Iraq 3–0 in a performance that never threatened to deviate from the script. Kylian Mbappé scored twice — including a dazzling solo effort in the first half — while Ousmane Dembélé added the third as Didier Deschamps rotated his squad and still found top gear. Iraq, already on the brink after conceding five to Norway, offered little resistance and now sit bottom of Group I with zero points and a –6 goal difference. The bookmakers had installed France as overwhelming favourites (around 1.14 according to FanDuel), and 71 of 74 pool members agreed — with a remarkable 33 calling the exact 3–0 scoreline, the single biggest haul of the day.

Desert Fennecs Cling to Knockout Dream

In the day's tightest contest, Algeria survived a genuine scare to edge Jordan 2–1 in a Group J basement battle that mattered more than the table suggested. Trailing at half-time, the Fennecs clawed back with two second-half goals to claim all three points and move to three points alongside Austria, keeping their round-of-16 hopes alive heading into the final matchday. Jordan, still winless, had their moments but remain rooted to the bottom. Pre-match markets had made Algeria clear favourites (around 1.53 via ESPN BET), and 56 of you backed them — 22 nailing the exact 2–1 scoreline — but this was no procession. Argentina's perfect record means they've already secured top spot, but second place in Group J remains a three-way fight with everything to play for.

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