Portugal superstar Cristiano Ronaldo silenced his critics as he became the first man to score in six different World Cups on Tuesday while England's bid to reach the last 32 stumbled with a 0-0 draw against Ghana.

If there is one thing the US loves, it is the gravitational pull of a superstar, with the American Dream built on the premise that an individual, armed with talent and charisma, can climb above the rest and carry the whole show.

The goals for Mbappe, in his 100th cap, came nearly three hours apart after thunderstorms in the region delayed the second-half kickoff by approximately two hours.

Mbappe’s goals, on his 100th international appearance, came nearly three hours apart after thunderstorms in the region delayed the second-half kickoff by a shade under two hours.

Messi, who had tied Miroslav Klose's record of 16 goals with a brilliant hat-trick against Algeria last week, bagged the 17th and 18th goals of his World Cup career in a 2-0 win over Austria in Texas.

After an underwhelming final season at Liverpool by his own lofty standards, the 34-year-old Salah has responded impressively on the global stage, registering a goal and two assists in two matches at this tournament.

Daichi Kamada opened the scoring after four minutes, bundling home Keito Nakamura's low cross from close range, before Ayase Ueda doubled Japan's lead in the 30th minute with a fierce low drive into the far corner.

The former Netherlands coach said the result, secured thanks to goalkeeper Eloy Room's 15 saves, was reward for supporters who never lost faith despite a bruising 7-1 defeat by Germany in their World Cup debut six days earlier.

Substitute Deniz Undav was the hero for Germany, scoring a 68th-minute equalizer before calmly slotting his second in the fourth minute of stoppage time to settle an enthralling Group E game in Toronto.

Vozinha said he was delighted his mother would finally be able to see him play at the World Cup in person, but made it clear he wanted the focus to return to soccer.

A day of celebration for the co-hosts got even better later Friday after Paraguay's 1-0 victory over Turkey confirmed that the US would clinch top spot in Group D, ensuring a theoretically easier draw in the last 32.

After a dreary first period, Luis Romo's goal just after half-time thanks to a goalkeeping error put Mexico through as Group A winners with a match to go.

Yoane Wissa's header cancelled out Joao Neves's early goal and the African side -- appearing in their first World Cup since 1974 when it was known as Zaire -- more than held their own.

Messi's hat-trick at Kansas City Stadium saw him equal the all-time men's World Cup scoring record of 16 goals, drawing level with Germany's Miroslav Klose. 

The Real Madrid superstar notched his team's first goal against Senegal at the MetLife Stadium, breaking the deadlock in the 66th minute of a tough contest from a superb Michael Olise pass.

Lamouchi, the first coaching casualty of the tournament, was appointed in January on a contract until 2028. He leaves the post with matches to come against Japan on Saturday and the Netherlands on June 25.

It is the latest logistical nightmare for an Iran squad that arrived at the tournament being co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada under the shadow of a bitter diplomatic row between Tehran and Washington.

In Boston, which along with its suburbs is home to the biggest Cape Verdean community in the United States, fans draped in the blue flag of the archipelago nation spoke of their pride after watching the game beamed in from Atlanta at a fan zone in the city centre.

After months of uncertainty surrounding their participation in the tournament following the war in the Middle East, all eyes were on the Iranians as they took on the New Zealanders in Group G at Los Angeles' SoFi Stadium.

Despite enjoying 74 percent possession and laying siege to the Cape Verde goal, the 2010 world champions were unable to find a breakthrough against the underdogs from the volcanic archipelago of just 525,000 people.

The meeting of Brazil and 2022 semi-finalists Morocco at the MetLife Stadium just outside New York City was a clash of the teams ranked sixth and seventh in the world respectively.

The US entered the tournament looking to improve on their last-16 finish in Qatar, while Paraguay came through the demanding CONMEBOL qualifying campaign to make their first appearance in the tournament since 2010.

Cyle Larin levelled for the home team in the 78th minute after Jovo Lukic put Bosnia ahead midway through the first half in the first World Cup finals game played on Canadian soil.

Australia squeezed past host Indonesia with a 1-0 victory to reach Sunday's final against Thailand, setting up the Young Garuda for a face-off with Cambodia on Saturday for third place in the ASEAN U-19 tournament.

Mexico's victory launched a 48-team tournament also hosted by the United States and Canada that will last nearly six weeks, culminating in the final in New Jersey on July 19.

The extravaganza hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada is the biggest World Cup in history, stretching until the final in New Jersey on July 19.

Indonesia U-19 became the first team from the tournament to secure a place in the semifinals.