Tuesday delivered one of the most unforgettable days in FIFA World Cup history, driven by three of the sport’s brightest stars.
France’s Kylian Mbappe got things started with a two-goal performance, and Norway’s Erling Haaland followed with a brace of his own. Then Lionel Messi put an exclamation point on the night for Argentina, recording the first World Cup hat-trick of his career. The milestone also pulled Messi level with Germany’s Miroslav Klose atop the tournament’s all-time scoring chart, with 16 goals each.
What made the day even more remarkable was how differently each player imposed himself on the game.
Mbappe continues to stand out as a scorer because of his rare blend of pace, strength, and finesse. He can overwhelm defenders in open space, but he also has the composure and touch to finish chances with precision.
Haaland, by contrast, brings a more forceful style. The 6-foot-5 striker combines speed with sheer physical dominance, making him a nightmare for defenders and goalkeepers once he gets moving. Charging toward goal, he can seem less like a forward and more like a runaway locomotive.
Messi, meanwhile, remains in a class of his own. Widely regarded by many as the greatest player of all time, he still dazzles with close control, creativity, and an uncanny ability to slip away from pressure. While his finishing remains elite, his passing is just as devastating, allowing him to shape matches in multiple ways. Even at 38, with his 39th birthday coming on June 24, Messi has shown little sign of slowing down.
And then there’s Messi, considered the GOAT by many observers. Messi’s sublime skills and ball magic make him a hard man to pin down and foul. As impressive a goal scorer as he is, Messi is one of the most dangerous passers in the game, even at the age of 38. He turns 39 on June 24 and has showed no signs of slowing down.
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – JUNE 16: Lionel Messi #10 of Argentina celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group J match between Argentina and Algeria at Kansas City Stadium on June 16, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Charlotte Wilson/Getty Images)
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Messi continues to dazzle, set records
Just by stepping onto the pitch and not even touching the ball in the Group J encounter at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., in the final match of the day, Messi made some history as well.
He became the first player to compete in six World Cups. He also became the second player to score in five cups in Argentina’s 3-0 victory over Algeria. Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo was the first player to accomplish that feat.
Wait! There’s more, as Messi celebrated an incredible anniversary.
On June 16, 2006, at the age of 18, Messi became the youngest Argentine player to score a World Cup goal.
On June 16, 2026, at the age of 38, Messi became the oldest Argentine player to score a World Cup goal.
And he celebrated his 200th international career appearance with his first World Cup hat-trick.
“At a loss for words about Leo. What can I say?” Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said. “He’s incredible.”
Game one could not have gone any better. After he was called offside on a goal in the fifth minute, Messi took center stage.
Latching onto a long ball from Inter Miami CF teammate Rodrigo de Paul in the midfield, Messi drilled a left-footed shot from atop the penalty area into the upper right corner for his 14th goal in the 17th minute. Goalkeeper Luca Zidane, the son of former French standout Zinedine Zidane (1998 World Cup), got both hands on it, but the drive was too hard to handle.
Messi scored his second on the hour as he buried a rebound of Alexis Mac Allister’s shot that Zidane could not handle, for his 15th goal.
No. 16 came in the 76th minute when he buried his third goal of the match from the edge of the box, becoming the oldest player to secure a World Cup hat-trick.
As it turned out, only one man stopped Messi from scoring. That was Scaloni, who replaced his superstar with Nico Paz in the 80th minute. Not surprisingly, Messi walked off the field to a standing ovation.
“It makes me very happy to have lived through everything that came my way. What I’m living though now is the cherry on top,” Messi said. “I’m very happy an grateful for this wonderful group. I enjoy it so much.”
Defending champion Argentina will take on Austria in Arlington, Texas, on June 22 and Jordan at the same venue on June 26.
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – JUNE 16: Kylian Mbappe #10 of France celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group I match between France and Senegal at New York New Jersey Stadium on June 16, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
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Mbappe strikes twice and makes history
Not only did Mbappe strike twice in France’s 3-1 victory over Senegal in the Group I match at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., but he also made history.
Mbappe, who has 14 World Cup goals, moved ahead of Brazil’s Pelé and countryman Just Fontaine and into a third-place tie with Germany’s Gerd Mueller. He also became France’s leading international goal scorer (58), as he moved past former Arsenal, Chelsea, and AC Milan forward Olivier Giroud. He also has scored in three consecutive World Cups.
After a rather slow and disappointing start in which he touched the ball only 14 times, the 27-year-old Mbappe returned to form in the second half, and he made Senegal pay dearly.
In fact, he demonstrated he could score from close range and a cracker from distance.
Mbappe lifted France into a 1-0 lead in the 66th minute, depositing a Michael Olise feed from seven yards on the right side of the penalty area past goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.
Instead of producing his arms-folded celebration, the Real Madrid star mimicked playing flute as he fulfilled a promise he made to James Corden on a FOX Sports’ Carpool Karaoke segment. Mbappe had told Corden that he played the flute while growing up.
The African side cut the lead in half on Ibrahim Mbaye’s tally five minutes into second-half stoppage time. But only a minute later, Mbappe put the match away with an impressive 30-yard strike.
Mbappe and his teammates, who are trying to reach their third successive World Cup final, meet Iraq in Philadelphia on June 22, and Norway, in a battle of world-class strikers (Haaland) in Foxborough, Mass., on June 26.
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – JUNE 16: Erling Haaland #9 of Norway celebrates his goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group I match between Iraq and Norway at Boston Stadium on June 16, 2026 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Mark Smith/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images)
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Haaland tallies his first two World Cup goals
Haaland made sure his first World Cup appearance was a memorable one, connecting for a brace, including the game-winner, in a 4-1 triumph over Iraq in Group I at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass.
He is a goal-scoring machine for club and country. For Norway, Haaland has recorded an astounding 57 goals in 51 matches. He averages more than one goal a game. A 50-percent production is considered decent internationally.
The game was a big deal for Haaland and his teammates as Norway made its first World Cup appearance since 1998. That, incidentally, was two years before the 25-year-old striker was born.
The Norwegians’ first goal was typical Haaland as he and his teammates bolted toward the Iraq goal on a break in the 29th minute. David Moller Wolfe sent a cross from the left flank to Haaland, who slid to knock in the ball off his right heel past keeper Halal Hassan for a 1-0 edge.
After Iraq equalized behind Aymen Hussein in the 39th minute, Haaland became more of a ball-hawker. He intercepted a poor back pass on the left side of the box before knocking it off the leg of Hassan in the 43rd minute.
Haaland also set up Norway’s final goal on a header from the left side to Kristian Thorstvedt. His teammate headed the ball toward the net. The ball went in off an Iraqi player for an own goal, just before the final whistle.
Norway will face Senegal in East Rutherford, N.J., on June 22 and then face off against France in Foxborough, Mass., on June 26.
Michael Lewis, the sixth recipient of the Clay Berling Media Career of Excellence Award in 2025, can be followed on X (formerly Twitter) and Bluesky at @Soccerwriter. His 10th soccer book, Around the World Cup in 40 Years: An American sportswriter’s perspective, has been published.
