Tonight the World Cup delivers four matches at once — and the headline game is already here: Argentina face Austria in Arlington, where Lionel Messi can become the outright all-time top scorer in World Cup history. Alongside it, there is a heated group schedule in Group I, where France and Norway both have three points and both want to secure a place in the Round of 32 tonight.
Schedule for the Night
- 20:00 Kyiv time. Argentina — Austria (Group J, Matchday 2), AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas
- 00:00 Kyiv time (June 23). France — Iraq (Group I, Matchday 2), Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
- 03:00 Kyiv time (June 23). Norway — Senegal (Group I, Matchday 2), MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
- 06:00 Kyiv time (June 23). Jordan — Algeria (Group J, Matchday 2), Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara, California
20:00 — Argentina — Austria (Group J)
This is the match worth staying up for. Argentina opened the tournament with a 3–0 demolition of Algeria — Messi completed a hat-trick and drew level with Miroslav Klose as the all-time top scorer in World Cup finals (16 goals). One goal today and the 38-year-old captain will stand alone as the record holder among men in the tournament's history. Austria, for their part, also started confidently: a 3–1 win over Jordan, with Romano Schmid scoring a stunning strike from outside the box. Ralf Rangnick will set up a compact shape — the Austrians know how to close space and counter-attack. For Argentina, a win means a virtually guaranteed place in the next round; for Austria, it means keeping the group alive until the final matchday.
Watch the duel between Messi and the Austrian press, and how Marcel Sabitzer will try to neutralise Argentina's attacking triangle. AT&T Stadium in Arlington is the tournament's busiest venue by number of matches (nine), and tonight it will host what is arguably the loudest game of the day.
00:00 — France — Iraq (Group I)
France already thrashed Senegal 3–1 in the first matchday — Kylian Mbappé scored twice and became France's all-time top scorer at World Cups. Against Iraq, Les Bleus have the chance to seal qualification from the group ahead of schedule. Iraq lost 1–4 to Norway and are under pressure: another defeat would effectively end their hopes of reaching the Round of 32. Mbappé is expected to start again — his form warrants it. Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia is the perfect stage for a late-night show.
03:00 — Norway — Senegal (Group I)
The hottest clash of the night block — both teams have three points after the first matchday, and the winner will virtually guarantee themselves a place in the Round of 32. Erling Haaland scored twice on his World Cup debut against Iraq and immediately signalled Norway's ambitions — their first World Cup since 1998. Senegal lost 1–3 to France, but 18-year-old Ibrahim Mbaye scored a stunning goal and showed that the Teranga Lions are capable of surprises. MetLife Stadium in New Jersey has already hosted this group — France and Senegal played here in the first matchday. Watch to see whether Haaland can dominate again against an African defence.
06:00 — Jordan — Algeria (Group J)
Effectively a survival match: both teams lost in the first matchday (Jordan 1–3 to Austria, Algeria 0–3 to Argentina) and are currently without a point. The winner keeps theoretical hopes alive of advancing as one of the eight best third-placed sides. A draw leaves both teams in a very difficult position heading into the final matchday. Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara hosts this late match for those still awake into the early hours.
Read the full recap of all four matches in the evening edition of Night Mundial later today, with the complete morning digest at 09:00 Kyiv time on June 23.
Photo: James Benge · Editorial (source)
