From a Day of Draws to an epic Legends Lay, the hype surrounding the biggest tournament of the summer reached another level over the past 24 hours.
Tuesday’s performances were so remarkable that friends who don’t even like soccer were texting me about them.
Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland stole the spotlight with two goals each to guide France and Norway to wins in their respective openers.
On a day when Mbappe’s record-breaking performance and Haaland’s sensational tournament debut could have each dominated the headlines on their own, Lionel Messi somehow found a way to steal the spotlight once again.
Messi netted a hat-trick to tie the all-time tournament goals record held by Germany’s Miroslav Klose with 16 and propel Argentina to a 3-0 win over Algeria.
It was Messi’s 11th career international hat-trick, but his first on soccer’s biggest stage, as he became the oldest player in tournament history to net three in one match.
Messi to record a hat-trick was +3300 at FanDuel.
A parlay with Messi, Haaland, and Mbappe to all record 2+ goals could be found at +8623 at FanDuel.
A parlay with that trio to each score the first goal in their respective matches could be found at +4328, which you would have known if you read this column on Tuesday.
On the heels of an unforgettable run by Messi, Haaland, and Mbappe, the focus shifts to a pair of superstars that are set to step into the spotlight this afternoon.
Let’s set the stage for today’s tournament action in this Morning Coffee for Wednesday June 17th, 2026.
Ronaldo, Kane Set To Take Their Turn In The Spotlight On Soccer’s Biggest Stage
Cristiano Ronaldo is set to lead Portugal as a heavy favourite for their opener against DR Congo.
On Tuesday, Messi became the first player ever to score in six different editions of soccer’s biggest tournament.
This afternoon, Ronaldo can join Messi and tie Portugal’s all-time tournament record with a goal.
Listening to Steven Caldwell, Kevin Kilbane, Janine Beckie, and Luke Wileman after the Argentina match last night, it was interesting to hear them reflect on how Tuesday’s performances could serve as additional motivation.
Ronaldo versus Messi is a debate that has defined a generation for soccer fans.
Now the 41-year-old Ronaldo gets the opportunity to follow Messi with a statement of his own.
Ronaldo anytime goal scorer is -135 at FanDuel.
Ronaldo to score the first goal is +240, 2 or more goals is +300, and to score a hat-trick is +1700.
Meanwhile, Harry Kane is set to step into the spotlight for England in a Group L showdown versus Croatia.
Kane, who was the second choice to lead all scorers pre-tournament behind only Mbappe, is +115 to score an anytime goal at FanDuel.
Kane first goal is +350, 2 or more goals is +550, and to score a hat-trick is +4000.
After what unfolded on Tuesday, I’m willing to bet on Kane to score a goal at +115 and Ronaldo to score a goal at -135.
I’ll also play Luis Diaz to score for Colombia at +120 as a heavy favourite versus Uzbekistan later today.
Meanwhile, I’ll throw some coffee money on Ronaldo, Kane, and Diaz to score the first goal for their respective teams at a whopping +6932.
As for my FanDuel Best Bet, I’ll lock in Panama to win or draw versus Ghana with Colombia to beat Uzbekistan at +111.
Ghana has lost five of six and could be vulnerable as a favourite versus a Panama team that is undefeated in its last 12 matches.
Meanwhile, Colombia is coming off an outstanding run in qualifying and should be able to find a way to earn three points against Uzbekistan in their opening match.
Tuesday’s legendary performances by Messi, Mbappe, and Haaland will be a tough act to follow.
Hopefully, Ronaldo, Kane, and Diaz are up to the task.
Have a great day, everyone!
