Argentina’s Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring agoal in the course of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group J match between Argentina and Algeria at Kansas Metropolis Stadium, Kansas Metropolis, Missouri, US, June 16, 2026. — ReutersMessi turns into joint all-time World Cup high scorer with 16 targets.Mbappe overtakes Giroud as France all-time high scorer with 58 targets.Haaland reaches 57 targets in 51 video games for Norway int’l report.
LOS ANGELES: Lionel Messi opened his record-breaking sixth World Cup with a hat-trick to change into the match’s joint all-time high scorer as holders Argentina launched their bid for back-to-back titles with a stunning 3-0 rout of Algeria.
On a magical evening at Kansas Metropolis’s 69,045-capacity Arrowhead Stadium, Messi delivered an electrifying particular person show to hitch Miroslav Klose on the high of the World Cup scorers charts with 16 targets.
The 38-year-old had began an unforgettable event — his 2 hundredth worldwide look — by claiming a chunk of historical past, turning into the primary man to play in six World Cups as he led Argentina onto the sphere for what would change into a one-sided Group J conflict.
Argentina’s Lionel Messi in motion with Algeria’s Rayan Ait Nouri, Houssem Aouar, Ramy Bensebaini, Aissa Mandi and Nabil throughout Fifa World Cup 2026 Group J match at Kansas Metropolis Stadium, Kansas Metropolis, Missouri, US, June 16, 2026. — Reuters
Messi, who first performed within the World Cup as an adolescent in the course of the 2006 finals in Germany, then emphatically stamped his class over proceedings with a memorable hat-trick — the primary of his World Cup profession.
A seventeenth minute curling strike took his World Cup targets tally to 14, placing him alongside German legend Gerd Muller and France famous person Kylian Mbappe within the all-time rankings.
He then moved one away from Muller and Mbappe to hitch Brazilian nice Ronaldo on 15 targets within the sixtieth minute after pouncing on a rebound from an Alexis Mac Allister shot to make it 2-0.
Argentina’s Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring a purpose in the course of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group J match between Argentina and Algeria at Kansas Metropolis Stadium, Kansas Metropolis, Missouri, US, June 16, 2026. — Reuters
He joined Germany’s Klose on 16 targets within the 76th minute, sweeping in a low end from the sting of the world earlier than departing to deafening applause and a standing ovation from an adoring crowd 4 minutes later.
Argentina defeated France in an epic 2022 World Cup remaining in Doha, profitable on penalties after a 3-3 draw that noticed Les Bleus striker Mbappe rating a hat-trick.
Mbappe off the mark
France — who might meet Argentina within the remaining once more this 12 months if seedings comply with the shape e book — launched their match on Tuesday with a 3-1 defeat of Senegal, with Mbappe scoring twice to recommend he’s greater than able to ship one other huge World Cup.
“There are still people out there who will criticise him but he is an extraordinary player,” France coach Didier Deschamps mentioned of Mbappe. “Not everything came off for him, but he can win games in one moment.”
France’s Kylian Mbappé celebrates after scoring their third purpose with Dayot Upamecano, Jules Koundé and Rayan Cherki in the course of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group I match between France and Senegal at New York/New Jersey Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey, US, June 16, 2026. — Reuters
Mbappe’s double in opposition to the Senegalese additionally noticed him overtake Olivier Giroud as France’s main goalscorer with 58 targets from 99 video games.
“I am really pleased for him. He didn’t score in the warm-up friendly games but to break the record at the World Cup gives it more impact,” Deschamps added.
Haaland marks first World Cup finals look with brace
One other potent scorer, Erling Haaland, marked his first World Cup finals look with two targets in a 4-1 romp in opposition to Iraq in France’s Group I.
The Manchester Metropolis striker pounced from shut vary on 29 minutes in Foxborough, however Aymen Hussein’s header introduced Iraq degree earlier than Haaland capitalised on an Iraqi defensive error to place Norway forward once more earlier than half-time. He took his worldwide targets tally to 57 in simply 51 matches.
Norway’s Erling Haaland celebrates after scoring their first purpose in the course of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group I match between Iraq and Norway at Boston Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts, US, June 16, 2026. — Reuters
Substitute Leo Ostigard headed in a 3rd for Norway and so they acquired a fourth deep in stoppage time by way of a Hussein personal purpose to safe three factors of their first look at a World Cup since 1998.
Haaland’s goalscoring World Cup debut left Norway coach Stale Solbakken purring with satisfaction.
“You could see that he adapted to the occasion, the occasion wasn’t too big for him,” mentioned Solbakken.
“I had a good feeling before the game. I had quite a comfortable feeling that he would do it for us today.”
Within the late sport on Tuesday, World Cup debutants Jordan face Austria in Santa Clara, California in Group J.
