Our Vi-King

🐐 The GOAT Lionel Messi made history in Argentina’s 3–0 win over Algeria last night, scoring his first WC hat trick on the 20th anniversary of his first WC goal. Messi’s career WC goal total now stands at 16, tied with Germany’s Miroslav Klose for the most all-time for men.

⭐ And Messi wasn’t the only shiny soccer star scoring jaw-dropping goals yesterday. French captain Kylian Mbappé notched two in France’s 3–1 win over Senegal, while Norwegian viking and first-time WC competitor Erling Haaland scored a brace of his own in Norway’s 4–1 victory over Iraq.

👔 Meanwhile, it was all draws on Monday, including a shocking 0–0 tie between tourney favorite Spain and debutant Cabo Verde and a 1–1 final score in Belgium vs. Egypt.

📺 The group stage continues. In addition to the USMNT’s Friday game, you shouldn’t miss these three matches:

• 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 England vs. 🇭🇷 Croatia (Group L) — Today at 4 p.m. ET: Powerhouse England’s WC journey begins against aging Croatia, a showdown that’ll pit English anchor Dylan Rice against Croatian legend Luka Modrić, one of the best midfielders of all time.

• 🇧🇷 Brazil vs. 🇭🇹 Haiti (Group C) — Friday at 8:30 p.m. ET: After tying in their opener, Brazil’s road to WC redemption requires a group stage win — unfortunately for them, Haiti won’t go down easy.

• 🇩🇪 Germany vs. 🇨🇮 Côte d’Ivoire (Group E) — Saturday at 4 p.m. ET: Côte d’Ivoire already stunned Ecuador, but they’ll have their work cut out for them against Germany, who scored seven goals in their opening match.

The GIST: From the comprehensive expansion process to preparing for tonight’s 5 p.m. ET entry draft, PWHL front offices have been booked and busy this offseason. It’s all happening.

☝️ Let’s start with the trade freeze thaw: We’re in the fifth phase of the six-step expansion process, meaning existing teams can re-sign skaters — or deal them to other squads since the league-wide trade freeze has also been lifted. And the dominoes are already falling: The legendary Hilary Knight is officially on her way to PWHL Detroit via a trade with PWHL Las Vegas.

✌️ Breaking down tonight’s entry draft: The Vancouver Goldeneyes own the No. 1 pick based on the league’s innovative Gold Plan. The Seattle Torrent will select second after their last-place finish this year, followed by the four expansion squads. Finally, the six remaining teams will draft in the reverse order of their 2025–26 season results.

• There’s plenty of talent to go around over the six-round, 72-pick draft. Not only is this the largest player pool in league history with 236 eligible skaters, it’s also the deepest, featuring 23 Milano-Cortina Olympians from eight different countries. If you build it…

👀 Here are our anticipated top three picks:

• 1️⃣ Caroline Harvey | defender | Wisconsin: The 23-year-old is the reigning Olympic MVP and a true generational talent. Enough said.

• 2️⃣ Abbey Murphy | forward | Minnesota: In any other year, this offensive juggernaut would probably go No. 1 overall. Let’s just say Murphy’s someone you want on your team.

• 3️⃣ Laila Edwards | defender | Wisconsin: Edwards’ versatility (she plays forward, too) is unmatched. This trailblazing friend of The GIST is physical, tough, and employs the best shot in the game.

⚾ MLB: Toronto Blue Jays vs. Boston Red Sox — Tonight at 6:45 p.m. ET — Sportsnet

• Vladimir Guerrero Jr. returned from injury, pitcher Dylan Cease was dominant, and Toronto homered thrice in last night’s 6–1 win in Boston. Everything’s coming up Jays — see if hurler Max Scherzer can continue the trend tonight.

🏀 WNBA: Commissioner’s Cup group stage finale — Tonight — League Pass

• The NY Liberty already wrapped up the Eastern Conference top spot, but the West is coming down to the wire: The Las Vegas Aces, Minnesota Lynx, and Dallas Wings could all claim the coveted championship game berth — and all three teams play at 10 p.m. ET.

⛳ PGA: U.S. Open — Tomorrow through Sunday — TSN

• The PGA’s third major of the season tees off at the notoriously difficult Shinnecock Hills Golf Club. It’ll be a tremendous test for the best golfers in the game, like World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and everyone’s favorite Northern Irishman, the always-opinionated Rory McIlroy.