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.

The Young Garuda is gearing up to face the Golden Star Warriors on Sunday for the last match of their group, which looks set to be a challenge for the Indonesian squad, which ranks 2nd in Group A with six goals compared to Vietnam in the top standing with eight.

Staff members without visas would travel to Mexico with the team while efforts to obtain visas continue.

The restriction against hard-sided and resuable bottles was based on safety and security considerations, with bottles among a number of items that could pose a risk if thrown.

The Saudi-backed league faces an uncertain future after its financial backer, the Public Investment Fund (PIF), said it will end funding in 2026, following a reported US$5 billion investment since LIV Golf’s launch in 2022.

As recently as last month, FIFA's official stadium code of conduct included a clause which read: "For the avoidance of doubt, empty, transparent, reusable plastic bottles, up to (1 liter in) capacity, may be brought into the Stadium."

The win propelled Indonesia to the top of Group A, overtaking Vietnam, who had earlier recorded a 3-0 victory over Timor-Leste in their opening match.

The team had been due to leave on a charter flight for their training base in the Mexican city of Pachuca but that was postponed while the South African Football Association tried to sort the paperwork.

Luis Enrique arrived in Paris in 2023 promising a cultural shift rather than instant glamour, with the Spaniard wanting a team in which collective sacrifice outweighed individual status, where the biggest names defended, pressed and suffered together.

In the 70th minute, the two-time reigning MLS MVP could be seen grabbing at the upper section of his left thigh following a free kick. The Argentine legend requested a substitution, then headed to the locker room after Mateo Silvetti replaced him.

The Iranian team will now be based in Tijuana on the border of Mexico and the United States during the tournament, federation president Mehdi Taj said in a video carried by the Fars news agency.