Day 12 of the World Cup: What to Watch - Messi and Argentina continue their title defense against Austria

What do the football stars have in store for us this Monday, after their brilliant starts to the World Cup? Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland each scored twice before Lionel Messi surpassed them on Tuesday. Here's what you need to know ahead of Monday's games.

Argentina x Austria Monday, June 22 | 3pm (Brasília time) | Arlington, Texas | Fox Odds: Argentina (-190), Austria (+500), Draw (+310)

What does Messi have in mind after his first World Cup hat-trick? He scored two second-half goals in Argentina's 3-0 victory over Algeria to open the group stage, and they were all done in different ways. He showed once again why he is still one of football's most valuable players and how his individual excellence is key to Argentina's hopes of winning back-to-back World Cups.

Austria had a 3-1 victory over Jordan and will certainly be satisfied with a draw. Four points would probably be enough to advance to the round of 32 and could even be enough to secure second place in the group. After Ali Olwan equalized for Jordan in the 50th minute, Austria took the lead with an own goal 26 minutes later.

France x Iraq Monday, June 22 | 5pm (Brasília time) | Philadelphia | Fox Odds: France (-1200), Iraq (+2500), Draw (+1100)


Kylian Mbappé will have his eye on the Golden Boot after seeing Iraq concede four goals to Norway in their World Cup debut. Mbappé scored twice against Senegal, and his second goal secured the victory after reducing the deficit to a late goal. France's second-half push was boosted by Michael Olise's move to midfield. Olise started on the wing in the first half, and it is no coincidence that the 2018 World Cup champions were much better in the second half. Aymen Hussein's goal in the 39th minute was the only shot on target Iraq had against the Norwegians.

Norway x Senegal Monday, June 22 | 8pm (Brasília time) | East Rutherford, New Jersey | Fox Odds: Norway (+125), Senegal (+200), Draw (+250)

Argentina and France are the two biggest highlights playing on Monday, but this is the most important game of the day. And it should be the best match too. Norway had two goals from Erling Haaland and took a big step towards qualifying for the knockout stages against Iraq. Senegal is one of the best teams in Africa and a real threat to win a game — or even two — after the group stage. But the Teranga Lions absolutely need points on Monday night to stand a chance of progressing. Three points against Iraq in the final group game may not be enough to progress. We know how powerful Norway's attack can be. Senegal will play for the point or go in search of all three, knowing that six points will be enough to guarantee second place in the group due to the tiebreaker criteria.

Jordan x Algeria Monday, June 22 | 11pm (Brasília time) | Santa Clara, California | FS1 Odds: Algeria (-165), Jordan (+450), Draw (+290)

Onepoint doesn't do much for either team in Monday's late game. Especially for Jordan, as Argentina awaits them in the last game of the group stage. Yes, Jordan lost by two goals to Austria, but the goal that gave them the lead was an own goal and the deficit became two from a penalty 12 minutes into extra time. There are positives to take from the country's first World Cup game, but that won't matter much without points. Algeria will be eyeing four points from their games against Jordan and Austria in an attempt to reduce the -3 goal difference they are facing. While there may be one or two teams in third place who can reach the knockout stages with three points, these teams will have a goal difference close to zero.

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