DALLAS/PHILADELPHIA/NEW JERSEY/SANTA CLARA, JUN 23 (IANS): Lionel Messi once again etched his name into football history, scoring twice to guide defending champions Argentina to a 2-0 victory over Austria in their Group J clash at the Dallas Stadium. The win secured Argentina’s place in the knockout stages of the FIFA World Cup 2026, with Messi breaking multiple records along the way.
The Argentine captain, who turns 39 in two days, overcame the disappointment of missing a first-half penalty to open the scoring in the 38th minute. His strike not only gave Argentina the lead but also set a new benchmark for the most goals scored by an individual in World Cup history. It was his 17th goal across editions, surpassing Germany’s Miroslav Klose (16).
Messi’s second goal came deep into stoppage time (90+5), sealing Argentina’s victory and extending his tally to 18 World Cup goals. With five goals already in the 2026 edition, he continues to dominate the scoring charts. His brace also made him the third player, after France’s Just Fontaine and Brazil’s Jairzinho, to score in six consecutive World Cup matches.
Argentina’s performance was not without challenges. Austria pressed high and controlled phases of the game after Messi’s missed penalty, but their aggression failed to yield results. Despite dominating possession during a 15-minute spell, Austria could not convert their momentum into goals. Argentina regained control when Messi combined with Thiago Almada to create the breakthrough, restoring confidence and rhythm to their play.
The defending champions imposed an offensive style in the second half, with Messi orchestrating attacks and leading by example. His opportunistic second goal in added time capped a memorable night, ensuring Argentina’s second win in Group J. With this result, Argentina advanced to the last 32, and if Jordan fail to beat Algeria later in the day, they will be confirmed as group winners.
Messi’s record-breaking feat now places him ahead of Klose (16), Ronaldo of Brazil (15), and the duo of Kylian Mbappe and Gerd Müller (14 each). His enduring brilliance, even at 39, underscores his unmatched legacy in the sport.
Mbappe dazzles in 100th international as France punish Iraq 3-0
Kylian Mbappe marked his 100th international appearance in style, scoring twice as France defeated Iraq 3-0 in their Group I clash to secure a place in the Round of 32 with a game to spare. Ousmane Dembele added the third goal, ensuring Les Bleus maintained their perfect record in the tournament.
Mbappe’s brace not only highlighted his brilliance but also set new benchmarks in World Cup history. He has now scored two or more goals in six World Cup matches, more than any other player. His tally of four goals in the 2026 edition keeps him firmly in contention for the Golden Boot, just behind Lionel Messi.
The French captain opened the scoring in the 14th minute with a thunderous left-foot strike from 20 yards, assisted by Michael Olise. His second came after Iraq’s Zaid Tahseen and goalkeeper Ahmed Basil misplayed a goal kick, gifting Dembele possession. Dembele unselfishly squared the ball to Mbappe, who converted with ease. That goal took Mbappe to 15 World Cup strikes, equalling Ronaldo of Brazil, before his second of the night pushed him to 16—joint second with Miroslav Klose and just two shy of Messi’s record 18.
Dembele was rewarded for his teamwork in the 27th minute when Olise set him up to score his first-ever World Cup goal, sealing France’s dominance. Iraq, despite their aggressive pressing, struggled to contain France’s star-studded attack and failed to capitalize on their brief spells of control. France now look ahead to their final group clash against Norway, already assured of knockout football. Mbappe, meanwhile, continues his personal duel with Messi for both the Golden Boot and the all-time scoring record. His next milestone is within reach: equalling coach Didier Deschamps’ 103 caps, ninth on France’s all-time list. Should France progress deep into the tournament, Mbappe could achieve that in the Round of 16.
Haaland’s brace fires Norway into knockouts
A brace from Erling Haaland ensured Norway’s progression to the Round of 32 at the FIFA World Cup 2026 with a 3-2 win over Senegal in the Group I match of the FIFA World Cup 2026 here at the New Jersey Stadium on Tuesday (IST).
Senegal are still without a point, but they could yet progress as one of the eight best third-placed teams. To keep those hopes alive, they must beat Iraq in their final Group I fixture.
Moreover, Haaland became the first player since Harry Kane in 2018 to score multiple goals in his first two World Cup matches and the sixth overall. The Norway striker has scored four times in Group I. Haaland, meanwhile, is firmly involved in a mouthwatering tussle for the Golden Boot with Lionel Messi and Kyian Mbappe. He made it four goals in two World Cup games and an astonishing 59 in 52 for his country, with Marcus Holmgren Pedersen also on the scoresheet for Norway.
Chances were at a premium in a tight first half, but Norway started to click as the interval approached and took the lead in the 43rd minute when Holmgren Pedersen capitalised upon a Kalidou Koulibaly error and gleefully lashed home.
Haaland then got his customary goal three minutes after the restart, calmly slotting in after an inch-perfect pass from Martin Odegaard to ensure he has now scored in each of his last 12 competitive appearances for Norway.
Ismaila Sarr pulled one back for Senegal in the 53rd minute, but Haaland re-established Norway’s two-goal advantage five minutes later when he poked in from close range.
Sarr made Norway sweat when he struck again in stoppage time, but Stale Solbakken’s side held on for the victory they needed to secure a knockout berth with one group-stage game remaining. This win means Norway’s four FIFA World Cup victories have come against teams from four different confederations: 1-0 against Mexico (Concacaf) in 1994, 2-1 against Brazil (CONMEBOL) in 1998, 4-1 against Iraq (AFC) in 2026 and now a triumph against CAF representative Senegal.
Algeria keep knockouts hopes alive with win over Jordan
Algeria came from behind to beat Jordan 2-1 in the Group J match here at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium and keep alive their hopes of a place in the knockout round at the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Jordan, who took the lead, have now been eliminated from the World Cup after Algeria secured a devastating second-half comeback with both their goals coming from well-worked set pieces. With this result, Argentina are now confirmed as the winners of Group J. Both teams were desperate for a positive result at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium after tasting defeat in their opening matches, and while neither was able to carve out any clear opportunities in the opening exchanges, it was Algeria that were the more proactive side, reports FIFA.
Jordan maintained their concentration impressively, though, and it was instead Jamal Sellami’s men who broke the deadlock in the 36th minute as Algeria became the 44th nation to score a goal at the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Mousa Al Tamari miscued and sliced the ball across the penalty area into the path of Nizar Al Rashdan, and he made a far cleaner connection on his effort to sweep home with the outside of his right boot.
It was now Algeria’s turn to stay composed, and after pinning Jordan back for a prolonged spell after the restart, Nadhir Benbouali headed them level from a 69th-minute corner.
Amine Gouiri then completed the turnaround with eight minutes remaining, tucking in from close range after the ball fell to him at another corner.
Algeria have now kept only one clean sheet in 15 FIFA World Cup matches. That came in the 0-0 draw against England in 2010.
With this result, Argentina are now confirmed as the winners of Group J.