Sports from Wednesday, June 17th, 2026

Portugal and their talisman Cristiano Ronaldo were left frustrated after Democratic Republic of Congo fought back to earn a 1-1 draw on Wednesday in the African nation's return to the World Cup stage after 52 years.

Captain Shubman Gill and Ishan Kishan led the way with centuries as they set up India's massive 170-run victory over Afghanistan on Wednesday, sealing the three-match one-day international (ODI) series with two straight wins.

Tuesday's four World Cup matches drew a combined 281,223 fans, breaking the 32-year-old single-day tournament record.

Austria celebrated their long-awaited return to the World Cup with a 3-1 win over determined debutants Jordan on Tuesday, with substitute Marko Arnautovic the difference in a gritty, end-to-end Group J match.

Lionel Messi has scored a majestic hat-trick to equal the all-time World Cup scoring record, answering doubts about his influence at age 38 and firing up Argentina's title defence with a 3-0 Group J win over Algeria on Tuesday.

Kylian Mbappe has struck twice to lead France to a dominant 3-1 victory over Senegal in World Cup Group I on Tuesday and become his country's all-time record goalscorer.

Norway's prolific striker Erling Haaland has bagged two goals in his maiden World Cup appearance on Tuesday to guide his team to an opening 4-1 Group I victory over Iraq, and put down a marker for the tournament.