Day five produced four draws in a single World Cup day for the first time since 1958, but we get the feeling this may change on a star-studded sixth day, which features the high-profile trio of Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi, and Erling Haaland.
France and Senegal get the action underway at 8pm (all times BST) at the MetLife Stadium in a repeat of the 2002 group stage duel, which the African side famously won on their debut.
We then move on to Iraq vs Norway at 11pm in Foxborough, before the attention switches to the holders Argentina who take on Algeria at 2am in Kansas City.
Fourth and finally we have Austria against Jordan at 5am in Santa Clara – fair play if you’ve managed to stay up this long, otherwise set those alarm clocks for an early start!
Stats you might see on Day 6
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France vs Senegal stats
- France snapshot stat: Kylian Mbappe (56) needs one more goal to equal Olivier Giroud’s all-time France goalscoring record (57), and two to break it.
- Senegal snapshot stat: The Lions of Teranga will be looking to keep their first World Cup clean sheet in 12 games since their debut 1-0 win over France in 2002.
France skipper Kylian Mbappe is the favourite to retain the Golden Boot and heads into the opening game against Senegal needing one more goal to equal Olivier Giroud’s all-time France goalscoring record (57), and two to set a new record. The 27-year-old is already joint-sixth in the all-time World Cup goalscorers charts on 12 goals and needs one more goal to go level with Lionel Messi and Just Fontaine on 13.
Another player to watch is Michael Olise. The Bayern Munich star enjoyed a sensational season at Bayern Munich with 53 goal involvements, and then bagged a hat-trick in France’s final warm-up game.
Senegal memorably stunned then defending champions France on their World Cup debut in 2002, before going on to reach the quarter-finals. The Lions of Teranga have since returned twice, reaching the group stages in 2018 and round-of-16 four years ago. They’ve since breezed through qualifying undefeated and won AFCON earlier this year before controversially getting the trophy snatched off them.
Senegal will have dreams of causing a repeat upset as they bid to register their first clean sheet in 12 World Cup games stretching back to that 1-0 win over France on their debut.
Iraq vs Norway stats
- Iraq snapshot stat: Looking to score their first World Cup goal in 40 years since Ahmed Radhi netted against Belgium at Mexico 1986.
- Norway snapshot stat: Bidding to win their 11th competitive game in a row, and claim their first World Cup win since beating Brazil at France 1998.
Erling Haaland graces the World Cup stage for the first time as Norway prepare for their first appearance since France 1998. Haaland smashed in 16 goals in qualifying and has 55 goals in just 50 caps.
Norway won all eight games in qualifying, scoring 35 goals, and head into the World Cup looking to win their eleventh competitive match in a row, and their first World Cup win since that famous 2-1 triumph over Brazil in 1998.
Iraq have endured an even longer wait to return to the tournament, with their only previous appearance coming at Mexico 1986. The Lions of Mesopotamia lost all three matches on that occasion and if they lose to Norway they will be one of three countries to have played 4+ games and lost them all (Haiti – 4 & El Salvador – 6).
The Middle Eastern country will be looking to register their first point(s), and score their first goal since Ahmed Radhi netted against Belgium at Mexico 1986.
Argentina vs Algeria stats
- Argentina snapshot stat: Lionel Messi could become the first player to play at six different World Cups and in the process extend his own record to 27 matches played at the tournament.
- Algeria snapshot stat: Mohammed Amoura was the highest scorer in CAF qualifying with 10 goals.
Argentina were stunned by Saudi Arabia in their opening game of the 2022 edition, before going on to win the tournament for a third time. Lionel Scaloni’s side enjoyed a dominant qualification campaign and have won their last seven successive matches, six of which have been to nil.
All eyes will be on the Argentina teamsheet to see if Lionel Messi features against Algeria. If the two-time Golden Ball winner does take part in the game he will extend his record for the most World Cup appearances by any player to 27 matches and become the first footballer in history to play at six separate World Cups.
Messi, with 13 goals, has Miroslav Klose’s 16 goal World Cup record tally in his sights. If he scores against Algeria he will take a step closer by drawing level with Gerd Muller on 14 goals.
Algeria return to the World Cup for the first time since Brazil 2014, where they reached the knockout stages for the first time in their history. They’ve only won one game at the tournament since 1982 and have just three in total from 13 games.
The Desert Warriors were excellent in qualifying though, winning eight of their 10 games, with Mohammed Amoura scoring more goals (10) than any other player in CAF qualifying.
Austria vs Jordan stats
- Austria snapshot stat: Austria are seeking their first World Cup win since beating the United States 2-1 at Italia 1990.
- Jordan snapshot stat: Could become the first country to win a World Cup match on their debut since Senegal stunned France at the 2002 World Cup.
Austria finished fourth and third at their first two tournaments and reached the second group stage in both 1978 and 1982. Since then, however, Das Team have appeared at just two World Cups, with their last win dating back 36 years ago at Italia’ 90.
Under former Manchester Unite manager Ralf Rangnick they stormed through qualification to reach their first World Cup since 1998 and are heavy 4/11 favourites to finally end that long wait for a World Cup win when they face debutants Jordan.
Jordan secured their place in North America by finishing second behind South Korea in AFC qualifying Group B, recording four wins, four draws, and two defeats from ten matches. However, the Chivalrous Ones arrive at their first World Cup without a victory in their last five outings and suffered a heavy 4-1 defeat to Austria’s neighbours Switzerland a couple of weeks ago.
Still, Jordan can take inspiration from Cape Verde’s remarkable goalless draw against tournament favourites Spain; one of the biggest surprises of the opening week. The underdogs are priced at 17/2 to cause a big shock by defeating Austria and becoming the first nation to win on its World Cup debut since Senegal famously stunned defending champions France in 2002.
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