France's last two finishes at World Cups:

• 2022 - Runners-up
• 2018 - Winners

Image source, Getty Images

The Senegal defenders were unable to stop Kylian Mbappe in their opening 3-1 defeat to France.

The Real Madrid forward scored twice to give the 2018 winners and 2022 finalists the perfect start to this year's edition.

Iraq are their opponents in the second match and, while they lost 4-1 in their opening game against Norway, the Asian side had their moments.

France are tipped as one of the favourites for the World Cup this year.

Image source, Getty Images

Ashley Williams has first-hand experience of Kylian Mbappe from his own playing days as a defender with Wales.

In November 2017, when Mbappe was a fresh-faced 18-year-old, Williams had to keep tabs on the striker for 84 minutes of an international friendly in Paris.

Mbappe did not score, but he did provide the assist for Olivier Giroud to complete a 2-0 victory.

By coincidence, the 27-year-old's brace against Senegal took him past Giroud to become France's all-time top scorer on 58 goals.

"He was very difficult to play against," Williams said.

"Mbappe is more direct than Messi. Not to say that he's better, but he's equally as hard to defend against.

"When Mbappe dribbles, it's normally with more pace. The way he will manoeuvre the ball to where he wants, in a twist and turn, is with more intensity.

"When you're playing against a striker that is normally 100 miles an hour, you stay in that rhythm as well. You're defending at that pace, whereas Messi will slow you down and then speed you up.

"I'd probably rather play against Mbappe, because you stay locked in with him."

Image source, Getty Images

Do you agree with Harry?

Kylian Mbappe is in action tonight as France face Iraq in Group I.

The Frenchman scored twice in his country's opening game against Senegal, which takes his overall World Cup goal tally to 14.

Should Lionel Messi not score in the earlier kick-off for Argentina and Mbappe emulates his previous performance, he could join Messi and Miroslav Klose as a joint all-time record holder.

That would be exciting wouldn't it?

Chris Sutton
Former England forward's World Cup predictions

This is an important tie for both sides after they lost their opening games.

Moments from Lionel Messi sank Algeria but otherwise they defended well. Now they have to show what they have got going forward, and I expect we will see more of Riyad Mahrez, who began on the bench against Argentina.

Jordan battled well against Austria before conceding a couple of late goals but I don't think this game will be as close.

Chris Sutton has nailed his colours to the mast.

He believes Algeria, after losing their opener to Argentina, will kick-start their World Cup campaign with a big win over Jordan...

Jordan and Algeria will face each other in the second game of the group stages at the 2026 World Cup.

Both sides lost in their first game of the tournament, with Jordan third and Algeria fourth based on goal difference.

Jordan made history by scoring in their first World Cup appearance, while this is Algeria's fifth World Cup appearance, their first since 2014.

Both sides will be looking for a win to get closer to the round of 32.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Right, we know that Argentina will seal their place in the last 32 with a win over Austria tonight, as would Austria if they shock the reigning champions.

But both Jordan and Algeria have the chance tonight to take a big step towards possible qualification for the knockout rounds.

A win and a third-place finish could be all they need.

Here are the remaining matches in Group J:

Monday 22 June

• Argentina v Austria (18:00 BST)

Tuesday 23 June

• Jordan v Algeria (04:00 BST)

Sunday 28 June

• Algeria v Austria (03:00 BST)
• Jordan v Argentina (03:00 BST)

We will return to Ashley Williams, shortly, to get the thoughts of the Wales defender on how to stop France's Kylian Mbappe and Norway striker Erling Haaland when we preview their upcoming matches.

Lionel Messi turns 39 on Wednesday, but you would not know it from his performance against Algeria.

The forward's treble took him level with Germany's Miroslav Klose as the World Cup's all-time top scorer on 16 goals - though Mbappe is just two behind.

With Messi on this kind of form, and on 120 international goals, how do you halt him in his tracks?

"It's more of a team effort," said former Wales defender Ashley Williams. "Try as best you can to push him into comfortable areas with your body shape, your distancing and your angles of approach.

"He's one of those players where if you have to pick a poison, say you'd rather someone else take the shot than him."

• Click here to read Dale Johnson's full feature - 'A defender's view on how to stop the World Cup's best strikers'

The Golden Ball, for the World Cup's best player, was first awarded at the 1982 World Cup in Spain.

Here is a full list of previous winners:

• 1982 Spain: Paolo Rossi (Italy)
• 1986 Mexico: Diego Maradona (Argentina)
• 1990 Italy: Salvatore Schillaci (Italy)
• 1994 United States: Romario (Brazil)
• 1998 France: Ronaldo (Brazil)
• 2002 South Korea/Japan: Oliver Kahn (Germany)
• 2006 Germany: Zinedine Zidane (France)
• 2010 South Africa: Diego Forlan (Uruguay)
• 2014 Brazil: Lionel Messi (Argentina)
• 2018 Russia: Luka Modric (Croatia)
• 2022 Qatar: Lionel Messi (Argentina)

Note that Lionel Messi is the only player to have won the Golden Ball more than once - he couldn't claim another World Cup hat-trick, could he?

BBC Sport's Dale Johnson has taken a different slant at this, speaking to former Wales defender Ashley Williams about how to stop budding Golden Ballers in their tracks.

You never know, by putting the shackles on Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi et al, a defender could step forward to claim the award.

Only once before has the Golden Ball not gone to an attacking player, when Germany goalkeeper claimed the prize at the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea.

Maybe this could be the year of the defender?

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

We asked you earlier who you believed might end up being this World Cup's 'Golden Baller' - ie. the player of the tournament.

It tends to be the player who has the most impact on the World Cup, and is a separate award to the Golden Boot - the tournament's top scorer.

Lionel Messi won it at Qatar 2022 after leading Argentina to their third World Cup title, and first since Diego Maradona inspired them to victory in 1986.

Interestingly enough, Maradona also won the Golden Ball at Mexico 86, but it is not always the best player in the winning team that takes the trophy.

For example, Luka Modric took it in 2018 after helping runners-up Croatia to reach the final, while Messi won the award at Brazil 2014, despite also seeing his side lose in the final - to Germany.

The common theme, though, is for the Golden Ball to go to the tournament's best attacking player - either forward or midfielder.

So who will win it this year? Kylian Mbappe? Erling Haaland? Harry Kane? Lamine Yamal? Messi again? Someone else?

Get in touch using the 'Get Involved' button to tell us your thoughts.

Cheers!

We will take a look at the other match in Group J - Jordan v Algeria - in a moment.

But before we leave Lionel Messi and Argentina behind, we want you to gaze into your crystal ball to tell us who you believe will win the Golden Ball at this tournament...

Andy Reid
Former Republic of Ireland midfielder on BBC Radio 5 Live

I think the scoreline flattered Austria (against Jordan) and maybe Jordan were a little bit unlucky.

Rangnick and Austria won't care - three goals and three points in your first game.

A bit of a confidence boost there for Ralf Rangnick and his players, but former Republic of Ireland midfielder Andy Reid was not completely sold by Austria's performance in their opening 3-1 win over Jordan...

Chris Sutton
Former England forward's World Cup predictions

I am at this game for 5 Live and it is going to be fascinating to see how Ralf Rangnick's Austria deal with Lionel Messi and co.

I actually think Austria can cause a bit of an upset here. They are grafters - they will work their socks off like they always do and they are in good form too.

If it is a tight game then of course Argentina can look to Messi to provide more magic, like he did against Algeria, but I am backing Austria to cause the holders some problems too.

Time to throw Chris Sutton and his predictions into the mix.

Never one to shy away from controversy, the former Premier League winner does not believe Argentina will have it all their own way against Austria...

Austria's 3-1 victory over Jordan was their first win at a World Cup since 1990.

Ralf Rangnick's side are playing in the finals for the first time since 1998, and the opening-day success was their first World Cup since they defeated the United States 2-1 on 19 June 1990.

Now, the reigning champions lie between them and another three points.

Image source, Getty Images