Canada Bars Thomas Partey From World Cup, Messi Matches Klose as Opening Day Yields 75 Goals

Overview

• A Canadian federal court confirmed immigration authorities' refusal to admit Thomas Partey, meaning Ghana must start its World Cup campaign without the midfielder.
• Ghana beat Panama 1-0 with a stoppage‑time winner, a result achieved without Partey in the squad and leaving the team to reshuffle its midfield for upcoming matches.
• Lionel Messi scored a hat‑trick to equal Miroslav Klose's World Cup scoring record, and the opening slate of group matches produced 75 goals across 24 games, the highest single‑day total since 1958.
• Cristiano Ronaldo drew heavy criticism after a subdued display in Portugal's 1-1 draw with DR Congo, renewing questions about his role at age 41 and Portugal's tactical options.
• The expanded 48‑team format and new FIFA measures such as the three‑minute cooling break are intensifying debate: fans booed the pauses, debutant Uzbekistan scored its first World Cup goal under coach Fabio Cannavaro, and critics say the changes are amplifying mismatches as well as spectacle.