Marcotti's Mini World Cup Musings: Messi is supernatural, U.S. get a reality check

Gabriele Marcotti’s “Mini World Cup Musings” reviews the opening stretch of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, now in its first off day 28 days after the tournament began in Mexico City. Marcotti describes a highly volatile competition featuring a standout Golden Boot race involving Lionel Messi, Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappé and Harry Kane. He highlights multiple storylines, including upsets such as Uruguay’s group-stage elimination, Germany’s exit in the round of 32, and Brazil being knocked out in the last 16. He also notes that 31 goals were scored in second-half stoppage time, adding to the late-drama narrative. Within the analysis, Marcotti focuses on Messi’s late-game impact for Argentina’s comeback over Egypt, while raising concerns that Argentina may need to reduce reliance on him as matches progress.