Argentina 3–0 Algeria — Messi Equals All-Time World Cup Record
The biggest story of the tournament so far came from Kansas City, where Lionel Messi scored his first-ever World Cup hat-trick to lead defending champions Argentina past Algeria.
Match Stats
| Stat | Argentina | Algeria |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | 3 | 0 |
| Possession | 62% | 38% |
| Shots on Target | 7 | 3 |
| Corners | 6 | 4 |
Key Moments
- 17′ — Messi curls a spectacular 25-yard strike past Luca Zidane (son of Zinedine Zidane) into the top corner. 1-0
- 60′ — Algeria keeper Zidane makes a costly error; Messi pounces and slots home from close range. 2-0
- 76′ — Messi completes his hat-trick with a thunderous strike from the edge of the box. 3-0
With his 14th, 15th, and 16th World Cup goals, Messi equaled Miroslav Klose’s all-time record. The 38-year-old also became the first player in history to appear at six World Cups — all on his 200th appearance for Argentina.
France 3–1 Senegal — Mbappe Becomes France’s All-Time Top Scorer
Kylian Mbappe scored twice to overtake Olivier Giroud as France’s all-time leading goalscorer (58 goals), leading Les Bleus to victory over Senegal. The 27-year-old Real Madrid star now has 14 World Cup goals, just two behind Klose’s record.
Norway 4–1 Iraq — Haaland Dominates on World Cup Debut
Erling Haaland announced himself on the World Cup stage with two goals as Norway cruised past Iraq. It was Norway’s first World Cup finals win since 1998, and Haaland’s tally now stands at 57 goals in just 51 international appearances.
What’s Coming Today (June 17)
| Match | Group | Time (ET) | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portugal vs DR Congo | L | 1:00 PM | Boston |
| England vs Croatia | L | 4:00 PM | Dallas |
England kick off their campaign against Croatia in Dallas under Thomas Tuchel. Harry Kane enters the tournament fresh off his best-ever season at Bayern Munich. Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo also takes the field today against DR Congo in what could be his final World Cup at age 41.
FAQ
How many goals does Messi need to break Klose’s record?
One more goal. Messi is tied with Klose at 16 World Cup goals — the next one makes him the sole all-time leader.
Will Messi play in Argentina’s next match?
Yes. Argentina faces Austria next in Group J, and Messi is expected to start.
How far can Norway go in this World Cup?
With Haaland in this form and a well-organized squad, Norway could be dark horses to reach the quarter-finals or beyond.
Where can I watch World Cup 2026 matches in the US?
Matches are broadcast on Fox Sports and streamed on FuboTV. Check local listings for times.
Looking Ahead
Argentina’s next Group J match is against Austria, where Messi will have another chance to break Klose’s record. Meanwhile, England, Portugal, and France will look to build momentum as the group stage continues across North America.