Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterLionel Messi scored a hat-trick to become the World Cup's joint-top all-time scorer as reigning champions Argentina began their defence with a statement victory over Algeria.Making his 200th appearance for his country, Messi scored his first treble at a World Cup just a week shy of his 39th birthday.And it created a piece of history, as the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner took his World Cup finals goal tally to 16 - moving him level with Germany's Miroslav Klose as the all-time leading scorer in the competition's history.Latest Videos FromWatch full video here: His first came when he collected the ball from Inter Miami team-mate Rodrigo De Paul before bending a strike past Luca Zidane - the son of France legend Zinedine Zidane - on his 27th World Cup appearance.Messi and Argentina's second came from close range on the hour mark when the Inter Miami man pounced on a mistake from Zidane, before he sealed a first World Cup hat-trick in the 76th minute when he arrowed home a thunderous strike from the edge of the area. You may like Lionel Messi makes World Cup history in sensational one-man display How to watch Lionel Messi at the 2026 FIFA World Cup Kylian Mbappe's unusual World Cup celebration explained Kylian Mbappe picked up where he left off in the World Cup by scoring twice as France beat Senegal in New Jersey.The Real Madrid star striker scored a hat-trick in the final in Qatar four years ago and started with a brace at this tournament.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.In doing so he became France's all-time leading goalscorer with 58 goals for his country - one clear of former record holder Olivier Giroud.Mbappe broke Senegal's resistance in the second half with a low strike before rifling home a sensational long-range effort deep into stoppage time.Bradley Barcola had earlier put France 2-0 up before Ibrahim Mbaye pulled one back, but Mbappe's second of the game ended Senegal's hopes of a comeback. What to read next Which records will Lionel Messi break at World Cup 2026? How to watch Argentina vs Algeria for FREE World Cup 2026 Golden Boot power rankings: Can Erling Haaland top the scoring charts? Anything Mbappe can do, Erling Haaland can do too as the striker netted twice on his World Cup debut as Norway overcame a spirited Iraq in their opening Group I game at Boston Stadium.The 25-year-old took his tally to 57 goals in 51 appearances for his country as they made their World Cup return after 28 years, though he was denied the 55th hat-trick in tournament history by Jalal Hassan's fine block late on.Making their first appearance on the biggest stage in 40 years, Iraq more than held their own in the opening stages but the deadlock was broken just 58 seconds after the first-half hydration break when the overlapping David Moller Wolfe swung in an inviting low cross from the left which Haaland slid home at the far post.Iraq deservedly levelled on 39 minutes as Amir Al-Ammari's cross which was met by a powerful downward header inside the upright by Aymen Hussein, who sealed his country's place at the World Cup with the winner in the intercontinental play-off final against Bolivia in March.In the final game of the day Austria beat Jordan 1-0 thanks to a goal from Romano Schmid.It was a stunning strike that appeared to come from nothing. Schmid cut inside and curled a shot beautifully past Yazeed Abulaila in the Jordan goalBut Jordan pulled a goal back through Ali Olwan before Austria retook the lead and take all three points thanks to a Yazan Al Arab own goal and then Marko Arnautovic made it 3-1 from the penalty spot deep into stoppage time.TOPICSKylian MbappeErling HaalandFranceNorwayArgentinaSenegalAustriaJordanJames AndrewSocial Links NavigationEditorJames Andrew is the editor of FourFourTwo, overseeing both the magazine and website. James is an NCTJ qualified journalist and began his career as a news reporter in regional newspapers in 2006 before moving into sport a year later. In 2011 he started a six year stint on the sports desk at the Daily Mail and MailOnline. James was appointed editor of FourFourTwo in December 2019. Across his career James has interviewed the likes of Franco Baresi, Sir Alex Ferguson, David Beckham and Michael Owen. James has been a Fulham season ticket holder since the mid-1990s and enjoys watching them home and away, through promotion and relegation.
