It was a night of records and superstar performances at the 2026 World Cup, led by Lionel Messi, who stole the show for Argentina. France beat Senegal 3-1 with two goals from Kylian Mbappé, while Norway defeated Iraq 4-1 with a brace from Erling Haaland, but Messi’s hat-trick in Argentina’s 3-0 win over Algeria defined the evening.
Argentina, the reigning world champions, opened their tournament strongly in Group 10. Messi, who turns 39 later this month and now plays in MLS, silenced doubts about his form by curling in his first goal of the tournament after 17 minutes. Algeria competed well and had more possession at times, but Argentina’s superior quality settled the match.
The second half brought more Messi magic. In the 60th minute, Alexis Mac Allister shot from outside the box, Algeria goalkeeper Luca Zidane parried poorly into the middle, and Messi finished from close range for 2-0. Sixteen minutes later, Messi again placed the ball into Zidane’s corner to complete a stunning hat-trick and seal the 3-0 win.
In Group 9, France struggled early against Senegal before Mbappé opened the scoring in the 66th minute after a precise pass from Michael Olise. Bradley Barcola, who had just come on, doubled the lead in the 82nd minute on his first touch, before Mbappé added a late long-range strike for 3-1. The goal made him France’s all-time top scorer with 58, passing Olivier Giroud.
Norway’s return to the World Cup after 28 years also ended in a convincing win, but not without resistance from Iraq, back in the tournament for the first time since 1986. Haaland scored in the 29th minute, Iraq equalized through Ayman Hussein, then a mistake by goalkeeper Jalal Hassan let Haaland restore the lead before halftime. Leo Østigård added a third from a Martin Ødegaard corner, and an own goal by Hussein completed the 4-1 result.
