# Lionel Messi Breaks All-Time World Cup Goals Record as Group Stage Heats Up
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The 2026 FIFA World Cup delivered another unforgettable day of action on Monday, with Lionel Messi etching his name even deeper into football history while superstars Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland also stole the spotlight.
## Argentina 2–0 Austria — Messi Breaks the Record
Lionel Messi scored a brace to lead Argentina to a dominant 2-0 victory over Austria in Dallas, but the result was secondary to history. With his two goals, Messi now has **18 career World Cup goals** — the most in tournament history, surpassing the previous record held jointly with Miroslav Klose (16) and others.
The 38-year-old magician showed no signs of slowing down, dictating play from midfield and finishing with his trademark precision. Argentina now sits atop Group H with maximum points and looks every bit the defending champion.
## France 3–0 Iraq — Mbappé Closing In
Over in rain-soaked Philadelphia, Kylian Mbappé scored twice and Ousmane Dembélé added his first World Cup goal as France cruised to a 3-0 win over Iraq. The match was delayed by over two hours due to severe thunderstorms, but Les Bleus showed no rust.
MbappĂ© now has **16 World Cup goals** in his career, closing in on Messi’s newly-set record — and he’s only 27 years old. France joins Norway atop Group I with six points and a +5 goal difference.
## Norway 3–2 Senegal — Haaland Brace Seals Knockout Berth
Erling Haaland scored twice in the second half as Norway held off a spirited Senegal comeback to win 3-2 at MetLife Stadium in front of 80,663 fans. Marcus Holmgren Pedersen opened the scoring just before halftime after a defensive error from Senegal’s Kalidou Koulibaly.
IsmaĂŻla Sarr scored twice for Senegal — including a stoppage-time goal — but it wasn’t enough. The result means both Norway and France have clinched their spots in the Round of 32.
## What’s Coming Up
Today’s slate (Tuesday, June 23) features:
| Match | Time (ET) | Group | Venue |
|——-|———–|——-|——-|
| **Portugal vs Uzbekistan** | 1:00 PM | Group E | Boston |
| **England vs Ghana** | 5:00 PM | Group F | Miami |
| **Japan vs Morocco** | 8:00 PM | Group F | Los Angeles |
| **South Korea vs Tunisia** | 11:00 PM | Group E | Seattle |
**Friday’s headliner:** Norway vs France at Gillette Stadium will decide who tops Group I, with both teams already through to the knockout stage.
## FAQ
**Q: Who holds the record for most World Cup goals now?**
**A:** Lionel Messi holds the record with 18 career World Cup goals, surpassing the previous record after scoring twice against Austria on June 22, 2026.
**Q: How many goals does Kylian Mbappé have at the World Cup?**
**A:** MbappĂ© has 16 World Cup goals after scoring twice against Iraq. At age 27, he has a realistic shot at breaking Messi’s record.
**Q: Which teams have qualified for the Round of 32 so far?**
**A:** Norway and France have both clinched their spots from Group I, along with Argentina from Group H. Many more spots will be decided this week.
**Q: Where can I watch the World Cup matches?**
**A:** All matches are broadcast on Fox Sports (English) and Telemundo/Universo (Spanish) in the US, with streaming available on Fubo and YouTube TV.
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