Trio Through as Messi Makes History and Mbappé, Haaland Respond
Three of football's biggest stars stole the spotlight on another unforgettable day at the FIFA World Cup 2026, as Argentina, France, and Norway all secured their places in the Round of 32.
At the center of the action was Lionel Messi, who etched his name even deeper into football history by becoming the FIFA World Cup's all-time leading goalscorer.
Messi Stands Alone
The Argentine captain scored both goals in Argentina's 2-0 victory over Austria, taking his World Cup tally to an unprecedented 18 goals.
Messi began the day level with German legend Miroslav Klose but moved clear at the top of the all-time scoring chart with another masterclass performance. The reigning world champions booked their place in the knockout stage, while their iconic captain added yet another record to his extraordinary career.
Mbappé Keeps the Pressure On
Not to be outdone, Kylian Mbappé delivered a brilliant response for France.
The French superstar scored twice in a comfortable 3-0 win over Iraq, celebrating his 100th appearance for Les Bleus in style. Mbappé's brace moved him to 16 World Cup goals, drawing level with Klose and placing him second on the all-time list behind Messi.
France secured qualification for the Round of 32 and remain one of the favorites to challenge for the title.
Haaland Joins the Party
Norway also punched their ticket to the knockout stage thanks to another outstanding display from Erling Haaland.
The prolific striker scored twice for the second consecutive match as Norway defeated Senegal 3-2 in a thrilling encounter. Haaland's clinical finishing ensured the Scandinavians joined Argentina and France among the teams advancing to the next round.
With Norway and France both on six points, their upcoming showdown will likely determine the winner of Group I.
Golden Boot Race Heating Up
The battle for the adidas Golden Boot is becoming one of the major storylines of the tournament.
Lionel Messi (Argentina) – 18 World Cup goals all-time Kylian Mbappé (France) – 16 World Cup goals all-time Erling Haaland (Norway) – Rapidly climbing the scoring charts in 2026
A potential clash between Messi and Mbappé later in the tournament would add another chapter to one of football's most captivating rivalries.
As the knockout stage approaches, the world's biggest stars are delivering on the grandest stage, and the race for World Cup glory is only getting started.