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Brilliant Benzema Helps Madrid Go 2 Points Clear of Barca

Real Madrid players celebrate after scoring against Espanyol. (Getty Images)
Real Madrid players celebrate after scoring against Espanyol. (Getty Images)
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Brilliant Benzema Helps Madrid Go 2 Points Clear of Barca

Real Madrid players celebrate after scoring against Espanyol. (Getty Images)
Real Madrid players celebrate after scoring against Espanyol. (Getty Images)

A brilliant back-heeled pass by Karim Benzema helped Real Madrid take a step toward reclaiming the Spanish league title on Sunday with a 1-0 win at Espanyol.

With Espanyol about to make it to halftime with a clean sheet, Benzema cleverly unlocked the hosts’ defense. He used a no-look pass with his heel to poke the ball through the legs of defender Bernardo Espinosa and meet Casemiro’s move into the heart of the box.

Casemiro’s resulting goal and some flawless defending were all Madrid needed to win and move ahead of Barcelona by two points at the top of the table.

“I see things, that is what football is to me,” Benzema said about the goal. “The assist is good, but Casemiro puts it in and gave us the three points. (This win) is very important. I won’t say that we don’t pay attention to Barca, of course we do, but we are focused on our matches and each game left is a final for us.”

Zinedine Zidane’s team took advantage of Barcelona’s 2-2 draw at Celta Vigo on Saturday by securing a fifth straight win since the league resumed following a three-month stoppage as Spain contained its COVID-19 outbreak.

The title rivals have six games left. Madrid holds the tiebreaker on head-to-head results in the event they finish level on points. The run-in seems tougher for defending champion Barcelona, which faces third-place Atlético Madrid on Tuesday at Camp Nou.

Last-place Espanyol appears headed for the second division after falling 10 points from safety.

Sunday’s matches continued to be closed to fans due to the coronavirus pandemic, like all games in Spain since the competition resumed two weeks ago. An accelerated schedule has games every three days in order to finish the season by July 19.

Espanyol hung on in the match until Benzema and Casemiro combined to decide the contest between a trophy-chasing powerhouse and a team needing a miracle to avoid the drop.

The biggest weapon of the Barcelona-based Espanyol was China forward Wu Lei, whose speed produced two promising attacks early on. Madrid defender Dani Carvajal blocked a strike by Sergi Darder three minutes into the game when Wu found him with a low cross.

But Madrid proved the more dangerous side throughout. Casemiro forced goalkeeper Diego López to palm his lob from Madrid’s own half over the bar before Benzema tested him with a powerful shot in the 36th.

López was helpless in the 45th when Benzema set up Casemiro, and the hosts never gave signs of recovering in a second half dominated by Madrid’s high ball possession.

“The goal is Karim’s,” Casemiro said. “I know how talented he is from years of playing together. He heard me ask for the ball in the open space. The goal is 90% his.”

Espanyol was coached by sports director Francisco Rufete, a former player who stepped in after the club fired Abelardo Fernández on Saturday. Rufete is the team’s fourth coach this season.

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Messi Hat-Trick Equals Scoring Record as Argentina Dazzle Against Algeria

Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Group J - Argentina v Algeria - Kansas City Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri, US - June 16, 2026 Argentina's Lionel Messi celebrates scoring their first goal. (Reuters)
Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Group J - Argentina v Algeria - Kansas City Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri, US - June 16, 2026 Argentina's Lionel Messi celebrates scoring their first goal. (Reuters)
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Messi Hat-Trick Equals Scoring Record as Argentina Dazzle Against Algeria

Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Group J - Argentina v Algeria - Kansas City Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri, US - June 16, 2026 Argentina's Lionel Messi celebrates scoring their first goal. (Reuters)
Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Group J - Argentina v Algeria - Kansas City Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri, US - June 16, 2026 Argentina's Lionel Messi celebrates scoring their first goal. (Reuters)

Lionel Messi scored a majestic hat-trick to equal the all-time World Cup scoring record, answering doubts about his influence at age 38 and firing up Argentina's title defense with a 3-0 Group J win over Algeria on Tuesday.

He drew level with Germany's Miroslav Klose with 16 goals in total and became the oldest player to score a World Cup hat-trick — exactly 20 years to the day since his first goal at the global tournament.

The opening game in Group J at Kansas City Stadium saw another masterclass from the Argentina captain, who turns 39 later this month and was marking his 200th cap for his country as he became the first player to compete at six World Cups, and the oldest to score a hat-trick at the tournament.

He had the crowd celebrating what they thought was a dream start with a goal in the opening five minutes but it was chalked off for offside.

So it ‌felt inevitable that ‌it was the star forward who would rise to the moment for the raucous sea ‌of ⁠sky blue and ⁠white, with what seemed like every fan in the stands wearing a shirt bearing his name as he gave them another moment of magic.

Messi netted his first in the 17th minute when he collected a brilliant through ball from Rodrigo De Paul, who slipped a perfectly weighted pass between Algeria's back line.

Messi drove forward before unleashing a rocket from about 25 yards out that glanced off the fingertips of goalkeeper Luca Zidane -- son of France great Zinedine Zidane who was in the crowd -- and into the top-right corner.

He struck his second in the 60th minute when Alexis Mac Allister fired a low drive from 25 yards that Zidane fumbled badly, the ball spilling ⁠awkwardly off his chest and dropping invitingly for Messi, who guided it into the net.

"There ‌are no words to describe it," Mac Allister said of Messi's enduring brilliance. "I ‌think if anyone thought this team was better without Leo, today it became clear that Leo is the most important player of all. ‌And that we have to build a team around him, where he feels comfortable."

Messi almost completed his hat-trick about five minutes ‌later, but Zidane leapt to push his shot over the bar, yet he did find the net again in the 76th minute with another blistering strike, teed up by substitute Nico Gonzalez.

'MAYBE THE BEST PLAYER OF ALL TIME'

"What makes the difference is they have a player who doesn’t forgive," Algerian defender Aissa Mandi said of Messi. "Almost every chance ends up in the back of the net.

"He’s a player, maybe the best ‌player of all time, so that’s his efficiency, and it’s formidable. We knew it, we tried to limit him as much as possible, but it didn’t work."

Algeria's Fares Chaibi ⁠had briefly celebrated what he thought ⁠was the opening goal a couple of minutes after Messi's disallowed effort, but it was also ruled offside.

Algeria fans screamed for a red card when Messi stepped on Mandi's calf in the first half, but there was no sanction against him.

Argentina are aiming to become the first men's team to retain the World Cup since Brazil in 1962.

They arrived wary, however, of another stumble, mindful of how their past two World Cup campaigns had begun with a shock defeat to Saudi Arabia in 2022 and a frustrating draw with Iceland four years earlier.

Questions lingered too over this side's credentials, with Lionel Scaloni's team having gone years without facing European opposition until a 3-0 friendly win over Iceland last week, their first match against a European opponent since the last World Cup.

On Tuesday, however, those doubts were swept aside as the holders delivered a composed and authoritative performance that signaled they will again be a formidable force.

"While we had the experience of the last World Cup, where we started, perhaps not in the best way, and ended up winning, we know how important it is to start with a win, to gain confidence," Mac Allister said.

Argentina play Austria on Monday in Arlington, Texas, while Algeria face Jordan the same day in Santa Clara, California.

Sports

Arnold Sees Positives in Iraq’s Opening World Cup Loss to Norway

Iraq head coach Graham Arnold gives instructions from the side line during the World Cup Group I soccer match between Iraq and Norway in Foxborough, Mass., near Boston, Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (AP)
Iraq head coach Graham Arnold gives instructions from the side line during the World Cup Group I soccer match between Iraq and Norway in Foxborough, Mass., near Boston, Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (AP)
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Arnold Sees Positives in Iraq’s Opening World Cup Loss to Norway

Iraq head coach Graham Arnold gives instructions from the side line during the World Cup Group I soccer match between Iraq and Norway in Foxborough, Mass., near Boston, Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (AP)
Iraq head coach Graham Arnold gives instructions from the side line during the World Cup Group I soccer match between Iraq and Norway in Foxborough, Mass., near Boston, Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (AP)

Iraq coach Graham Arnold ‌urged his players not to lose heart after their 4-1 defeat by Norway in their World Cup opener on Tuesday and reminded them they have two more chances to get a victory that could put them through to the knockout rounds.

Norway's Erling Haaland opened the scoring in the 29th minute and while Aymen Hussein briefly levelled for Iraq, Haaland put his side back in front before halftime.

Leo Ostigard added a third in the 76th minute and Hussein's late own goal completed the scoring.

Iraq ‌are playing at ‌the World Cup for the first time ‌in ⁠40 years and ⁠Arnold said he was encouraged by their performance.

"We put good pressure on Norway," he said. "But a couple of mistakes against players at this level will always punish you. So we need to learn lessons from our mistakes."

The Australian said Norway's second goal, which came from a weak back pass to Iraq goalkeeper ⁠Jalal Hassan, was a turning point.

"It really probably ‌hurt the players mentally," said ‌Arnold. "I tried to pick them up and say it's the past, and ‌we've got to get over it."

Despite the defeat, Arnold ‌said Iraq remain firmly in contention to reach the knockout stage.

Norway lead Group I on goal difference, with France also on three points following a 3-1 victory over Senegal.

With the best third-placed sides also ‌able to advance under the World Cup's expanded 48-team format, Arnold said there was no reason ⁠to panic.

"We're ⁠in a group phase, there's nine points available," he said. "We've got to take all the positives out of today and get ourselves ready for the next game.

"There is still the opportunity for third spot. Three points should be enough to get you through."

Arnold also highlighted the contribution of Hussein, who endured an injury-hit season.

"For him to get through 90 minutes with that energy that he had, of course scoring the goal was fantastic," he said.

With France next up, Arnold called on supporters to stay behind the team.

"Be proud of the players," he said. "Keep supporting the boys and stay happy."

Sports

Erling Haaland Scores Twice in World Cup Debut as Norway Tops Iraq 4-1

Norway's Erling Haaland (9) smiles as he leaves the pitch at the end of the World Cup Group I soccer match between Iraq and Norway in Foxborough, Mass., near Boston, Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (AP)
Norway's Erling Haaland (9) smiles as he leaves the pitch at the end of the World Cup Group I soccer match between Iraq and Norway in Foxborough, Mass., near Boston, Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (AP)
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Erling Haaland Scores Twice in World Cup Debut as Norway Tops Iraq 4-1

Norway's Erling Haaland (9) smiles as he leaves the pitch at the end of the World Cup Group I soccer match between Iraq and Norway in Foxborough, Mass., near Boston, Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (AP)
Norway's Erling Haaland (9) smiles as he leaves the pitch at the end of the World Cup Group I soccer match between Iraq and Norway in Foxborough, Mass., near Boston, Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (AP)

Norway will go as far in this World Cup as Erling Haaland takes it.

In his tournament debut, he showed he’s more than up for that challenge.

Haaland scored two goals, including one off a defensive blunder, on Tuesday to propel Norway to a 4-1 victory over Iraq in Group I.

The Manchester City striker's 56th and 57th international goals came in Norway’s first appearance in the tournament since reaching the knockout round at the 1998 World Cup in France — two years before Haaland was born.

Haaland said he will do his best to meet the expectations he created with this performance.

“Of course I will try,” Haaland said. “It’s about continuing and don’t think too much. It’s difficult at this stage. But I’ll focus on (the) next (game) and of course be happy. But also stay calm.”

Norway coach Stale Solbakken said he had a feeling Haaland was ready after watching how loose he was in the team's last training session before the match.

“You could see that he lived up to the occasion,” Solbakken said. “The occasion wasn’t too big for him.”

Leo Ostigard scored in the 76th minute off a corner kick from Martin Odegaard. An own-goal by Iraq forward Aymen Hussein just before the final whistle completed Norway's scoring.

Hussein also scored for his team, an equalizer just nine minutes after Haaland’s first strike.

Haaland put the Norwegians in front for good just before halftime when he sneaked in front of a poor back pass to Iraq goalkeeper Jalal Hassan. Haaland beat Hassan to the ball, preempting his attempted clearance, and then used his shin to put the ball in the back of the net.

“It's one of those things. It happened,” Iraq coach Graham Arnold said. “It is what is and we have to learn from it.”

Haaland’s first goal, which came in the 29th minute, followed a cross into the box from David Moller Wolfe. Haaland slid and used his right heel to finish it off. It ignited waves of cheers from the Norway supporters, who dominated the stands clad in red as they broke out in synchronized Viking row chants.

Iraq, playing in the World Cup for just the second time after debuting in 1986, held its own with a sizable contingent of supporters that was mostly concentrated behind one of the goals.

That energy helped Iraq briefly get back into the game.

In the 38th minute, Amir Alammari corralled a ball on the baseline halfway between the left corner and the goal and fired a cross in front of the net. It eluded Norway’s defenders, allowing Hussein to punch a clean header that bounced under the hand of diving goalkeeper Orjan Nyland to even the score at 1-1.

It was Hussein’s 34th international goal. That includes his winning goal against Bolivia in Iraq’s final World Cup qualifying match in April that gave the country the last spot in the 48-team tournament field.

“It’s a proud moment to be back in the World Cup after 40 years. To lose 4-1, it hurts,” Iraq's Hussein Ali said.