And what a goal it was by Rodriguez, by the way.

“I have seen Uruguay play just once,” emails Gavin.

“In 2014, I spent the year travelling around South America. Being in Bolivia at the time just before the World Cup, I managed to find a last-minute bargain on AirBnB, and rented an apartment for the entire tournament in Rio.

“Having made it that far, I thought I must secure a ticket to a game at the Maracanã to tick it off the bucket list. I managed to grab a last-16 tie not knowing who would be playing, only to sit with the Colombia fans and witness that James Rodriguez goal in a 2-0 win v a Suarez-less (banned) Uruguay.

“That match more than made up for my England adventure, a 24-hour bus ride to witness the last group game v Costa Rica, with Roy Hodgson’s side limping out of the tournament.”

Lovely stuff (well, not the England bit). Thank you Gavin.

Meanwhile, look what I just found in the photo archive from that match at the Maracanã – it’s him again!

Cody Gakpo’s second goal for the Netherlands was the 100th at the tournament, in just the 33rd game. That makes this tournament the fastest to 100 goals since the 1958 edition.

It cannot really be a World Cup without Uruguay, is it? They face Cape Verde later, much later, in about 11 hours’ time.

I witnessed Uruguay against England in March (dreadful game, especially if you left on 75min like me) … I also saw Uruguay v Ghana in 2010, and in a World Cup playoff against Australia in Melbourne in the early noughties.

Have you ever had the pleasure of seeing them play? Mail me.

England have just lost the second Test against New Zealand, if you like that sort of thing. (Cricket content.)

“Do we have any notable names in the upcoming games?” emails Nathan. “Between Desiree Doué, Denzel Dumfries and Brian Brobbey, we’ve been a little spoilt for alliteration.”

What a pre-match tracksuit top that is from the Netherlands, by the way.

Messi’s teammates see him ‘as a God and a kid from the neighbourhood’ – Scaloni

Lionel Messi’s move to America will look like a masterstroke if he leads Argentina to back-to-back World Cup titles. His decision to join Inter Miami in 2023 has been good for all parties, raising the profile of football in the US, delivering titles for his club and writing a new chapter in his career.

But Argentina could be the biggest winner of all, with Messi’s powers still at stratospheric levels aged 38. “Leo will be the best for as long as he wants; he has been doing it every single match for the last 20 years,” said the Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni.

Thierry Henry described him as “on the moon” after his hat-trick in Argentina’s opening game against Algeria. “Leo is just different. It’s just a different topic,” Henry said.

Messi scored his first hat-trick at a World Cup and also moved level on 16 goals with Miroslav Klose as the leading scorer in tournament history.

“I tried to prepare myself in the best possible way to feel good physically, to feel useful, and to be able to help the group,” Messi said.

Despite saying the last World Cup was likely his last , Messi is once again at the heart of the Argentina team, its biggest creative and attacking threat. At this stage of his career, that was far from guaranteed.

“We should be used to this, but if you ever needed any more confirmation that when it comes to Argentina, Messi is the system, he is the tactic, he’s the formation, he’s the identity and he is the heart,” Fox analyst Alexi Lalas said after the 3-0 win against Algeria. “It was something to behold.”

Messi left behind the intensity of European soccer to join Inter Miami in 2023, delivering a massive boost for the MLS. He said he wanted to “live football in another way”, but there was a step down in level compared to Europe’s top leagues.

But at a time when top players are warning of burnout, Messi appears to be benefiting from the move. He has played fewer games than at the height of his Barcelona career, when he could play more than 50 a season. His performance at the start of this World Cup shows he hasn’t lost his sharpness even if he is not regularly facing the world’s top defenders.

“I love to play, to compete. And no matter where it is, today I find myself at another World Cup, which brings extra happiness, but I prepare myself just as I have done throughout my entire career,” he said.

Many people already rated the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner as the greatest soccer player of all time. But even past his peak years, he has hit new heights on the sport’s biggest stage.

His Inter Miami teammate Rodrigo De Paul has spoken of theextra training both players had put in to ensure they were in peak condition.

“We killed ourselves to, physically, arrive in the best way,” De Paul said.

Messi has taken inspiration from Rafa Nadal after watching the Netflix series on the tennis great’s drive to stay at the top.

“I am very similar in that sense. I always want to feel good. As long as I can and I am well, I will be there,” Messi said.

For his teammates, he is simply the biggest inspiration. “What Leo transmits is spectacular,” said Scaloni. “His teammates view him both as a God and as a kid from the neighbourhood. Honestly, you just run out of words. Beyond the goals he scores, it is what he transmits—both to his teammates and to the fans. We will miss him.” James Robson, AP

Right, how about an Associated Press piece on the iconic Lionel Messi? Coming up shortly …

Don’t forget to email us with your World Cup musings.

The Sweden manager Graham Potter, meanwhile, said this of his side’s 5-1 drubbing by a very handy Netherlands side:

“In the end, it is what it is.”

Unarguable.

Tijjani Reijnders, of the Netherlands, offered a scintillating assessment of their handsome win against Sweden.

“We knew we had to win. It was a great victory,” said the Manchester City man.

“We have one goal: to win the World Cup. We did a good job today, and we have to keep going.”

I live for this stuff.

Thank you Billy. Hello everyone. What sort of thing is happening here? Let’s take a look.

That’s it from me for now. Luke McLaughlin is here to steer you through the next couple of hours.

On the Japan supporters cleaning up in Monterrey last night – one woman has gone viral this week for saying men should do the same when they’re at home.

Fifa lauded Japanese fans on social media for their “impeccable manners” that saw them tidy up the stands after their draw with the Netherlands, with pictures of men in blue avidly picking up trash. Similar images have since proliferated online, but one X post went viral after claiming Japanese men aren’t all that they are cracked up to be.

“Japanese men spend among the least time on housework internationally,” read the post, which has been viewed more than 2m times. “Please do it at home,” the post said, with a satirical illustration showing a fan who proudly cleans up the stadium is, in fact, relaxing on a sofa at home, oblivious to the pile of laundry and his wife or mother doing the dishes.

Japanese men participate notoriously little in household chores, with women spending 5.5 times more time than men taking on “unpaid work” such as shopping, domestic chores and caregiving, the cabinet office says, citing 2021 OECD data. The gap is far greater than in Britain, France and the United States, where women spend 1.8 times, 1.7 times and 1.6 times – respectively – longer than men doing unpaid work.

While supporters describe the act of cleaning up the stadium as proof of Japan’s cultural altruism, others have also seen it as slightly performative. Opinions have been divided on the viral X post. “Wives struggling with husbands who don’t clean at all should have them wear Samurai Japan uniforms at home too,” one comment said. “This is too much of generalisation – not all Japanese men are like that,” another user wrote. AFP

World Cup TV: Whether it’s Gary Lineker on ITV or Alexi Lalas going tete-a-tete with Thierry Henry on Fox coverage, it’s been an eye-catching first 10 days on the box.

Group H: Spain have had almost a week to stew over their disappointing start against Cape Verde but are back in Atlanta today to take on Saudi Arabia. Lamine Yamal could be fit enough to start having only come on as a 71st-minute substitute in the opener.

Luis de la Fuente has asked for people not to compare the 18-year-old to the likes of Messi and Maradona … before comparing him to the likes of Salvador Dalí and Michelangelo:

The worst mistake we could make would be to compare him to anyone. He is the midst of a process. He has exceptional footballing maturity and lives it all with total naturalness. He has great serenity and strength. We have to let him follow his path but those players who have something different are ready for that. They’re geniuses, like Dalí [who] can paint a picture, or Michelangelo. They’re different. What is exceptional to us, isn’t to them.

That’ll keep his feet on the ground.

Podcast: The World Cup Daily crew have been discussing Saturday’s action from their base in Los Angeles. They’ve also been coming to terms with the early elimination of dark horses Turkey.

You can listen here or watch here.

“Not sure when you compiled the Sans-Stars list, but there’s no space and you’ve left Room!” writes Chris on email. “Not as good as the Lebowski/Room/Rug one last night, admittedly. But at least it’s an ethos.”

Yes, it may not surprise you that we didn’t write that in the wee hours of this morning in the UK. Poor Vozinha – yesterday’s man, now.

It’s not a World Cup without Japan fans/players cleaning up after themselves …

Japanese fans celebrated their team’s 4-0 victory over Tunisia in the 1,000th ⁠match in World Cup history by staying behind at Monterrey’s stadium to collect rubbish from the stands. The ⁠practice, known in ⁠Japan as ​gomi hiroi, reflects an emphasis on taking responsibility for shared spaces.

Ken Okawa, 30, said he was happy to bring ⁠this tradition to his very first World Cup match as he stooped down to collect discarded cups and other rubbish from the ⁠floor around his seat. “We are guests in Mexico,” he said. “I have been treated ​wonderfully, so this is my way ‌of showing my appreciation.”

The ‌practice is instilled from a very young age in Japan, where schoolchildren are ‌taught to clean up their own classrooms. Miku Takeya, 41, said that the habit of tidying up after herself has become second nature. “It’s a natural part of our culture,” she said. “We do this to ensure that everything we use is left clean so that the next person can use it comfortably.”

Images of ‌Japanese fans cleaning up in stadiums after matches during this year’s World Cup have gone viral. Ahead of Saturday’s match, ​the Nuevo León governor, Samuel García, said he had arranged for 20,000 bin bags to be distributed in the stadium during the match, as well as at Fanfest and other tourist sites, following requests from Japanese fans, according to local media.

While this ⁠practice has captured global attention, many Japanese fans say it is ​nothing out of the ​ordinary for them. “It’s common sense ​in Japan,” said Ichiro Oyo, 27. Still, Ryo Matsuoka, 32, said he ​was proud to ‌bring this part ​of Japanese culture ​to the world stage. “I think it is a matter of great pride that this is being showcased in a stadium like this, where people from all over the world are watching,” he said. Reuters

World Cup team of the tournament so far: John Brewin, Marcus Christenson and I have compiled some of the best performers of the opening 10 days … with one rule – no superstars.

Move over Messi, Mbappé and Haaland – this is about Laryea, Just and Quiñones:

Group F: It was Premier League power in the Netherlands v Sweden match. Well, almost – Crysencio Summerville of Championship West Ham the only goalscorer not to currently ply his trade in England’s top flight. There were doubles for Sunderland’s Brian Brobbey and Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo, while Newcastle’s Anthony Elanga got Sweden’s consolation in a 5-1 defeat.

“The scoreline’s a little ‌harsh on us, but sometimes ‌that happens in football, especially with the quality of the opponent we face,” said Sweden’s Graham Potter.

“We got off to not ‌a good start, which then puts you behind in the game and then affects the mood. After the first break, we thought we did really well. We adjusted things a little bit, which made it better for us.”

You’d expect Ronald Koeman’s Dutch side to top the group from here, with Sweden maybe looking for a draw in their final game against Japan that should see them through as a best third-place team.

“We needed this,” Koeman said. “When you start a tournament, you want to start ‌well. It gives you peace of mind. There was also a bit more pressure on us to win. Otherwise, everything would come down to the final group match, and you don’t want that.”

Tony Mason was one of those up at the crack of dawn in the UK this morning: “After last night’s and this morning’s shenanigans things are starting to get a tiny bit clearer. I’m predicting a blockbuster round of 32 match between Brazil and Japan. Curaçao may have done a huge favour to teams finishing 3^rd as both them and Ecuador will now struggle to get more than 2 points. This Sunday morning I’ve watched a full football match, the highlights of another, been for a run and had breakfast and it still isn’t 9 o’clock.”

We are all slackers in comparison.

Group F: Here in the UK anybody up with the lark was able to watch Japan sweep aside Tunisia in Monterrey. Crystal Palace fans would not have been surprised to see goalscorer Daichi Kamada play so well in an advanced position, filling in for the injured Takefusa Kubo in the Japan attack.

“Daichi has mostly been deployed as a defensive midfielder recently, but considering our current team situation, we had him shift to the shadow striker position today,” said Japan’s head coach, Hajime Moriyasu. “The ⁠idea was to bring out his strengths and ​have him ​control the team’s offence ​and defence from that advanced position.”

Tunisia, meanwhile, have joined Turkey in booking their flights home. Herve Renard replaced the sacked Sabri Lamouchi in the dugout and, well, didn’t make much of a difference. Last up for them: the Dutch.

“The score is heavy but it reflects the difference between the two teams tonight,” said Renard. “Even if we ‌are eliminated we still have a third game to play. ​We are in a World Cup, and we must remain focused. It is important to get ⁠ready to fight for this third ​game ​against the Netherlands.”

Elsewhere in Group E Germany sealed progression from a World Cup group stage for the first time since they won the damn thing in 2014, coming from behind after Côte d’Ivoire had a half-time lead.

“We showed great character today,” said Deniz Undav, channelling his inner Brendan Rodgers. The Stuttgart striker came off the bench to score twice and netted a late winner, making it nine goals in 11 international caps.

Undav’s role is a curious one under Julian Nagelsmann. The coach has previously criticised the striker for his performances in a Germany shirt, even if he scored goals. Undav has also not been particularly happy to just be an impact sub.

“I could have him in the starting lineup,” Nagelsmann said yesterday. “I think that every player would love to be in the starting lineup, but I think he’s very happy as it is right now.”

Comments won’t be on until a little bit later – sorry about that – but in the meantime don’t forget you can email us to share your thoughts.

“I think I need a statue in Curaçao now,” said Eloy Room after keeping Ecuador at bay and earning his country’s first World Cup point – his clean sheet particularly significant after that 7-1 hammering by Germany in the first game. The Miami FC goalkeeper was just one off Tim Howard’s record of 16 saves (for USA v Belgium in 2014) in a World Cup match.

“A little ⁠bit annoyed that I don’t have the record from Tim Howard, but I think he was sweating in front of the TV because I was close,” Room said.

It’s going to be an insane memory. You don’t think about it ​when you do it but of course it’s going to be something you look back to. For me as a goalkeeper, this is almost a perfect game. It’s unbelievable. And I cannot do it alone. I did it with the team and my defenders and the midfielders, strikers. We did it as a ⁠team.

The draw means Curaçao can still (and probably will) progress from Group E if they beat Côte d’Ivoire in their final fixture.