Lionel Messi, widely regarded as the greatest player of all time, added yet another famous milestone to his incredible career after he equalled the record for the number of goals scored in World Cup history.
A hat-trick in a convincing win for Argentina over Algeria, his first-ever in a World Cup but the 60th of his career, brought him to 16 goals on the biggest stage of all, drawing him level with current record holder Miroslav Klose of Germany.
Messi gold dust lights up World Cup
The obdurate Algeria threatened to cause the defending champions some issues early in the game. They started aggressively and had an early goal chalked off for offside on VAR. However, on the 17 minute mark, Messi took over.
The first of his three was a delightful 25 yard effort after a dancing and jinking dribble, the kind we’ve come so accustomed to seeing down the years. His second was an opportunistic take after Algeria goalkeeper Luca Zidane, son of the legendary midfielder Zinedine Zidane, spilled an Alexis Mac Allister shot into his path.
His final goal was another outside-the-box effort low into the bottom corner to cap one of the great individual performances at a World Cup finals. He was substituted just minutes later with the game won, and with his exit, hundreds of fans also took their leave in what felt like a collective ode to the biggest show in town.
The result leaves Argentina almost certain to qualify for the next round and Algeria knowing they likely need four points to make it to the next round after a harmful impact to their goal differential.
Kylian Mbappe becomes France’s leading goalscorer
Elsewhere on day six of what has become a pulsating start to the tournament, Kylian Mbappé became France’s all-time leading scorer on Tuesday, netting twice in a 3-1 victory over Senegal in the teams’ World Cup opener in New Jersey. The Real Madrid forward moved to 58 international goals, surpassing former record-holder Olivier Giroud.
After a largely subdued first half, France broke through after the interval when Mbappé fired a low shot past the Senegal goalkeeper. Bradley Barcola doubled the lead before Ibrahim Mbaye reduced the deficit, giving Senegal hope of a comeback. But another screamer from Mbappe settled proceedings.
Senegal had created the better chances before the break and came close to opening the scoring through Nicolas Jackson, whose effort struck the post, while Ismaïla Sarr missed a clear opportunity from close range just before halftime.
France were also denied a penalty early in the second half after a challenge involving Sadio Mané and Mbappé. Referee Alireza Faghani reviewed the incident following a VAR check but ruled that Mbappé had initiated the contact.
Mbappé sealed the win deep into stoppage time with a long-range strike that ended Senegal’s resistance. France coach Didier Deschamps praised his captain, saying Mbappé “can tip the scales and bring his team to victory,” adding that the 27-year-old “has a real aura” on the global stage.
Mbappe has already won one World Cup and came close to helping France go back-to-back with a phenomenal display in the Qatar 2022 tournament final, netting a hat-trick in a 4-3 defeat. An underwhelming debut season in Spain is now behind him and Mbappe looks ready to make the world pay attention again.
Erling Haaland helps Norway seal comfortable win over spirited Iraq
Another day six headline saw Erling Haaland scored twice on his World Cup debut as Norway marked its return to the tournament after 28 years with a 4-1 victory over Iraq in Group I at Boston Stadium. The striker increased his international tally to 57 goals in 51 appearances and came close to a hat trick before being denied late by goalkeeper Jalal Hassan.
Iraq impressed for long stretches of the first half and equalized through Aymen Hussein after Haaland had opened the scoring from close range. But Norway regained the lead before halftime when Haaland capitalized on a costly mistake by Hassan, charging down the goalkeeper’s clearance and watching the ball ricochet into the net.
The Asian side continued to threaten before the break, creating several chances as Norway struggled to establish control. After halftime, substitute Zidan Iqbal became the first player of Pakistani heritage to appear in a men’s World Cup.
Norway eventually pulled away when Leo Østigård headed in a Martin Ødegaard corner in the 76th minute. Haaland then helped force a late own goal from Hussein as Norway secured all three points. The result marked the first victory by a European team against Asian opposition at this year’s tournament, while Iraq’s search for a first World Cup point continued.
