Only Lionel Messi could have one-upped Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland on Tuesday.
After Mbappe scored two second-half goals in France’s 3-1 win over Senegal and Haaland matched him with two goals of his own in Norway’s win over Iraq, Messi scored the first World Cup hat trick of his career in Argentina’s 3-0 win over Algeria to officially make the sixth day of the 2026 World Cup the most exciting yet.
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Sure, Monday’s fixtures delivered four ties for the first time in 66 years as Cape Verde got a 0-0 draw with Spain. But let’s be real, ties are not the most appetizing outcome for American sports fans. We love stars having star-like performances. And all three of soccer’s biggest names playing Tuesday showed why they are among the best players in the world.
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For a brief time, Mbappé moved ahead of Messi on the all-time World Cup goals list when he added the 13th and 14th goals of his career. After Senegal appeared to add some late drama by cutting France’s lead to 2-1, Mbappé quickly quashed any and all hope of Senegal stealing point with an absolutely incredible strike that seemed to come out of nowhere.
Just look at his conviction on where he was placing the ball. He immediately knew where to beat goalkeeper Édouard Mendy and wasn’t even looking at the goal when he hit the ball.
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The goal sealed all three points for France in a second half that showed why it’s the most dangerous attacking team in the world with reigning Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembelé and breakout star Michael Olise operating alongside Mbappé up front.
Haaland needed just 29 minutes to score his first World Cup goal in his first World Cup game in Norway’s 4-1 win. Haaland added a second in the 43rd minute and now has an astonishing 57 goals in 51 appearances for his country.
Oh, he’s just 25 years old, too.
Since joining Manchester City in 2022, Haaland has become Mbappé’s chief rival for best striker in the world. He scored 36 goals in 35 Premier League games his first season with City, and has 112 goals over 132 games in what’s considered the best domestic league in the world.
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On June 26, Mbappé’s France and Haaland’s Norway will square off in the final round of Group I games. It not only will be a game that can serve as a head-to-head referendum on each player’s attacking prowess. It may also determine which team wins the group.
But just about an hour after Haaland’s game concluded, Messi, at 38, reminded both of them why he’s been the best player this century — and maybe ever — with one of his best games ever for Argentina.
Messi’s 14th, 15th and 16th World Cup goals tied him with Miroslav Klose for the all-time World Cup lead. That 16th goal was absolute brilliance, as he slowed to create space between himself and Algeria’s defense before slicing a shot through four defenders and past goalkeeper Luca Zidane.
It was also a sign that the defending World Cup champions are still so reliant on their legendary playmaker. And how he seems more than able to carry that burden again as Argentina seeks to become the first team since Pelé’s Brazil in 1958 and 1962 to win back-to-back World Cups.
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