Lionel Messi's Argentina and Kylian Mbappe's France, the two teams who contested a thrilling World Cup final four years ago, roar into the 2026 tournament on Tuesday.

World Cup favourites France face a tricky Group I opener against Senegal in New Jersey tonight, with memories of one of the biggest upsets in tournament history hanging heavily over the contest.

"They've been very unfair to him," the Paris Saint-Germain winger said. "They go a bit overboard with the criticism of Kylian because he's an incredible player. A great person off the field. I've known him for a long time."

Three goals. Three. In a World Cup final. And still, a defeat.

Vinicius Jr's first-half strike earned Real Madrid a 1-0 win at Sevilla in LaLiga on Sunday, with forward Kylian Mbappe returning to the starting lineup after being controversially left out by manager Alvaro Arbeloa.

Fans were unhappy about Mbappe travelling to Sardinia on holiday while recovering from his injury.

Kylian Mbappe will spearhead France at the World Cup after national team coach Didier Deschamps on Thursday announced his 26-man squad for this summer's tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Real Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa called on French striker Kylian Mbappe on Wednesday to show "his commitment" to the team in the last three matches of the season.

The French forward has been recovering from a hamstring injury and trained with his teammates on Friday, but he was not on the squad list issued by the club on social media.

Kylian Mbappe trained on Friday after recovering from a hamstring injury ahead of the Clasico against Barcelona, with Aurelien Tchouameni also involved following his bust-up with teammate Federico Valverde.

Spanish media reported that the 27-year-old France captain could miss the rest of Real's season after picking up the injury during the 1-1 draw at Real Betis on Friday.

Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappe suffered a "muscle overload" in his left hamstring during the team's 1-1 draw at Real Betis in LaLiga, a club source told AFP on Friday.

The victory ended a two-match winless run in La Liga for Madrid and moved them back to within six points of leaders Barcelona, who host Celta Vigo on Wednesday.

Real Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa mounted a strong defence of French superstar Kylian Mbappe, who was criticised for what some perceived as ignoring his defensive responsibilities in last week's Champions League defeat by Bayern Munich.

Here are the key highlights and talking points from the encounter:

Harry Kane lit up the Santiago Bernabeu with the goal of the night -- a precise, right-footed curler from outside the box that nestled into the bottom-left corner beyond Andriy Lunin -- to seal Bayern Munich’s 2-1 win.

Harry Kane took part in training with his Bayern Munich team-mates on Monday ahead of the German club's Champions League quarter-final first leg match at Real Madrid as he continues his recovery from an ankle niggle.

Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti said he was “half-satisfied” despite a 2-1 defeat to 10-man France in a friendly in the United States on Thursday, insisting the performance displayed his side’s ability to compete with the best.

Kylian Mbappe moved to within one goal of equalling France's all-time scoring record with the opener in a 2-1 win over Brazil as two of the leading World Cup contenders faced off in a glamour friendly in the United States on Thursday.

"I have made a 100% recovery," Mbappe told AS.