What's Wright - World Cup Reaction: Messi HAT TRICK, should Portugal BENCH Ronaldo?

All right, quick weekend snack on match day one. We recorded this before USA–Australia, but the daytime kickoffs let me lock in, and the star power is already pulling in casuals. Messi, Harry Kane, and Mbappé are cooking; let’s get to it.

Big nations showed up. Which team and which player impressed you most?

England’s second half against Croatia was a jolt; France matched that after the break versus Senegal. Both started flat, then crushed it by two after halftime, and Mbappé has the early goal of the tournament. The player of the week is Messi—once dinged for World Cup output, now stacking records at thirty‑eight, fresh off a hat trick to open this one and still the best player on a title contender, which tilts his longtime duel with Ronaldo.

More impressive ageless act: Messi or LeBron?

It’s the same story in different bodies. The speed dips, but the brain and craft stay elite; LeBron leans on size and feel, Messi on touch and vision. On any given night, either can still be the best guy out there.

Spain stalled, Brazil and Portugal drew. Which slow start worries you most?

Portugal. Brazil drew a top side in Morocco, and Spain ran into a keeper standing on his head with a little complacency mixed in. Portugal’s problem is structural: an aging legend who still plays ninety even though this roster is loaded with attackers. Ronaldo hasn’t scored in his last ten major‑tournament games for Portugal; he should embrace a super‑sub role. The draw with DR Congo puts group seeding at risk, and finishing second could mean a brutal path with Ghana, then Uruguay or Spain. Expanded fields make winning your group more valuable than ever.

So… are you betting Spain again?

Lesson learned from Cape Verde, but Spain can steady it by handling Saudi Arabia and then taking on Uruguay for the group. I’m not jumping off.

Your match‑day two watch list: Netherlands versus Sweden should decide Group F, and Germany against Ivory Coast likely settles Group E. England versus Ghana is a showpiece, Norway against Senegal is huge, and Argentina facing Austria is a strong check‑in on Messi. Scotland against Brazil headlines the third round, and from midweek on you get wall‑to‑wall doubleheaders as groups finish and seeding gets real.

Before we go, a quick true story with World Cup vibes. I once got into a rough fight as a teenager; two years later, I wandered into a hotel bar at three in the morning to catch a World Cup match and the only other person there was that same guy. No drama—just two dudes quietly watching soccer. Enjoy the tournament and happy Father’s Day. Big Father’s Day to you, Demonsi. We’ll talk at the start of the week.