Defending champions Argentina got their World Cup campaign off to a flyer, beating Algeria 3-0 thanks to a Lionel Messi hat-trick.
Meanwhile, 2022 finalists France powered to a 3-1 win over Senegal, Norway overcame Iraq 4-1 and Austria beat tournament debutants Jordan 3-1.
It was certainly a day for the big names as Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland each scored twice and ran the show for their respective nations.
Messi equals Klose record
Inter Miami star Messi netted a sublime treble against Algeria in Kansas to draw level with Germany’s Miroslav Klose at the top of the all-time World Cup scoring charts on 16 goals.
“It makes me very happy to have lived through everything that came my way – what I’m living though now is the cherry on top,” Messi admitted post-match.
“I’m very happy and grateful for this wonderful group. I enjoy it so much.
“When I’m in good shape, I give it my all.”
Mbappé double sinks Senegal
Mbappé became France’s highest scorer as his double helped see off a spirited Senegal side in New Jersey.
The Real Madrid forward now has 58 international goals, one more than Olivier Giroud managed in his illustrious career.
Bradley Barcola struck the second goal for Les Bleus, while the West Africans could only get on the scoresheet through substitute Ibrahim Mbaye.
Speaking after the victory, Mbappé said: “It gives us a bit more peace of mind, although you’re never really relaxed at a World Cup.
“We’ve seen it with the other teams – winning is never easy. It wasn’t straightforward, but we know we’re capable of scoring at any moment.
“We have to stay calm and composed, stick to what we need to do, because everything happens so quickly at a World Cup.
“Now our focus shifts to the match against Iraq.”
Haaland brace buries Iraq
On World Cup debut, Man City hitman Haaland scored a brace to push Norway past Iraq in Boston, with a Leo Østigård effort and a late own goal by Aymen Hussein adding gloss to the win.
In reply, Hussein scored Iraq’s second-ever World Cup goal and their first in 40 years.
Norway head coach Ståle Solbakken praised Haaland’s contribution, saying: “You can see he lived up to the occasion – it wasn’t too big for him.
“I had a good feeling before the game, the last training session was very good.
“I had a feeling he would do it for us today.”
Austria edge plucky Jordan
Austria marked their return to the World Cup after a 28-year absence with a hard-fought victory over Jordan in San Francisco.
Romano Schmid had given Ralf Rangnick’s team the lead in the first half, but Jordan deservedly drew level when Ali Olwan curled in a beauty early in the second period.
However, an own goal by Yazan Al-Arab and a stoppage-time penalty from Marko Arnautović saw Austria take all three points.
It was their first World Cup win since beating the USA 2-1 in 1990.
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SportJustSport writers 
Simon Wilkes