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Another day, more superstars shine at the World Cup.
Lionel Messi set a World Cup record with his two goals, but two of the game’s best strikers scored two of their own. Kylian Mbappé, who may one day break Messi’s record of 18 World Cup goals, scored twice for France against Iraq and then Erling Haaland struck twice for Norway against Senegal.
Here’s the best from Monday 22 June at the FIFA World Cup.
Argentina vs Austria
- Lionel Messi has become the first man ever to score 17 goals in World Cup history.
- Messi has both taken (seven) and missed (three) the most penalties in World Cup history. This was his first miss that wasn’t on target and wasn’t saved.
- Messi has also become the third player to score in six consecutive World Cup matches, joining Just Fontaine (France) and Jairzinho (Brazil).
- Messi passed Klose for another record with Argentina’s victory: He has now won 18 World Cup matches in his career, passing Klose who has 17.
- Messi became the fourth man to score five goals in his first two games at a World Cup tournament, after Sandor Kocsis (Hungary) in 1954 (seven), Just Fontaine (France) in 1958 (five) and Harry Kane (England) in 2018 (five).
France against Iraq
- Kylian Mbappé scored two goals to take his total to 16 goals in his World Cup career. He is now tied with Miroslav Klose for the second most in men’s World Cup history behind Messi.
- Mbappé has six multi-goal matches at the World Cup, extending his record for the most ever.
- Mbappé became the fourth youngest European player to reach 100 caps after Sergio Ramos (Spain), Lukas Podolski (Germany) and Kristen Viikmäe (Estonia).
- Iraq remain winless all-time at the World Cup at 0-0-5 (WDL). It has been outscored 11-2 in those games.
- France have won their first two group games at each of the last four World Cups.
Norway vs Senegal
- Erling Haaland scores his third goal at the World Cup. He is now up to 59 goals in 52 games for Norway.
- Haaland has scored in his last 12 competitive games for Norway and has scored at least one goal in 18 of his last 21 competitive international matches.
- Haaland is the sixth player to score more than one goal in each of his first two career World Cup appearances, and only the second to achieve this in the last 50 years (England’s Harry Kane in 2018).
- It was just the third time Senegal have ever conceded three goals in a World Cup match.
- Ismaïla Sarr is now up to 20 career goals for Senegal. Those were his first two in the World Cup.
Jordan vs Algeria
- Algeria gets its first victory at the World Cup in exactly 12 years. Its last World Cup win came on 22 June 2014 against South Korea.
- Nizar Al-Rashdan gave Jordan their first ever lead in a World Cup match.
- Algeria have conceded the opening goal in nine of their last 12 World Cup games.
- Riyadh Mahrez made his first World Cup start since 17 June 2014.
THE BEST OF THE DAY
Today’s Moment
Messi entered Monday’s match against Austria tied with former Germany forward Miroslav Klose with 16 goals as the all-time leader in men’s World Cup goals. He had a golden chance to pass Klose, but sent his penalty wide in the ninth minute.
In the 38th minute, however, Messi got his goal.
Left back Facundo Medina played a low cross near the penalty spot. Argentine winger Thiago Almada let the pass go under his feet to an oncoming Messi, who slotted home his left-footed shot past Austrian goalkeeper Alexander Schlager.
A bonus moment of the day: Norway’s celebrations after the victory over Senegal.
The Norwegians have become famous for their rowing across the north-east. The team did what their fans did on the field after the win.
Today’s goal
If this is Messi’s last World Cup and Mbappé keeps up his current pace, he will one day be the World Cup’s all-time leading goalscorer.
Mbappé showed why early in France’s win over Iraq. He received the ball on the right side of the 18-yard box from team-mate Michael Olise, put it on his weaker left foot for a wonderful goal, his third of the tournament.
The France captain came into the tournament after a tough season with Real Madrid, but he is showing again why he is one of the best players in the world – for one of the best teams in the World Cup.
Today’s Assist
Erling Haaland didn’t even manage five touches in the first half. Senegal contained the star scorer, who could not connect with Norway’s captain and playmaker Martin Odegaard.
It took a few minutes in the second half for that to change. Odegaard picked up the ball in midfield and slid a perfect pass into Haaland’s path, which Kalidou Koulibaly just missed on his slide tackle.
From there, the end was inevitable.
Today’s Rescue
Senegal were under a lot of pressure in the first half against Norway, who created chances and looked threatening going forward.
The best chance fell to Norway’s captain Martin Ødegaard, who got his shot off quickly. However, Mendy was quick to close Ødegaard down and remove the space he had. The former Chelsea goalkeeper made himself big and blocked the shot with his left leg.
