World Cup 2026 highlights and what you missed overnight: Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland keep pace with Lionel Messi

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·23. Juni 2026

World Cup 2026 highlights and what you missed overnight: Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland keep pace with Lionel Messi

Battle for the World Cup’s golden boot is not a two-horse race

A star-studded line-up at the World Cup overnight produced the goods as Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland kept pace with Lionel Messi.

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Messi had earlier in the day scored twice as Argentina beat Austria 2-0; his first goal breaking the all-time World Cup goal record with his 17th finals strike and the second extended the tally.

It was then over to Mbappe, who answered the ball with two goals of his own on his 100th appearance for France as they beat Iraq 3-0 in a match delayed for more than two hours by bad weather.

Mbappe scored either side of the storm which delayed the second half to move alongside Miroslav Klose on 16 World Cup goals.

France were in cruise control and it was only their seeming desire to set up Mbappe at every opportunity that denied them the chance to extend their lead.

Iraq’s hopes of clawing back into the match were hit when Aymen Hussein, their goalscorer in their opening 4-1 defeat to Norway, was forced off due to injury.

His replacement, Ali Al Hamadi, fired wide but France remained unruffled as the humid atmosphere was punctured by a dramatic rainstorm.

The whistle sent both sides scurrying for cover with FIFA announcing that the match had entered “severe weather mode” due to the possibility of lightning strikes.

After a delay of two hours and 11 minutes from the half-time whistle, the players returned to restart with France continuing to dominate in possession and territory.

Mbappe was gifted his second goal – and fourth of the tournament – as Iraqi goalkeeper Ahmed Basil was unable to control an overhit pass from Ahmed Qasem, the ball running loose to Dembele who squared for Mbappe to stroke the ball home.

Erling Haaland ensured the battle for the World Cup’s golden boot is not a two-horse race with an electrifying brace in Norway’s 3-2 win over Senegal in New Jersey.

The Manchester City forward kept himself within a goal of Messi as he scored a quickfire couple after the half-time break.

Norway opened the scoring in the 43rd minute when Marcus Holmgren Pedersen capitalised on a defensive howler from Kalidou Koulibaly to sneak a ball past goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.

Haaland got his first almost immediately after the break when he found himself in the perfect position to fire home a brilliant counter-attacking run and pass from Martin Odegaard.

Senegal struck back five minutes later through Ismaila Sarr, but Haaland restored Norway’s advantage in the 57th minute with a deft first-touch strike that was lofted over Mendy and into the back of the net.

Sarr guaranteed a thrilling finish when he scored his second at the start of stoppage time, but Norway were ultimately able to fend off Senegal’s late rally.

The result guarantees progression to the knockout rounds for Norway, who have won two group stage games for the first time in their history. Senegal will need a victory against Iraq to give themselves a chance of making it to the round of 32.

Two second-half goals from corners saw Algeria come from behind to beat Jordan 2-1 and keep their hopes of reaching the World Cup last 32 alive.

Nadhir Benobuali and Amine Gouiri grabbed the decisive goals in Santa Clara after Nizar Al Rashdan’s opener for Jordan, setting up a clash with Austria to decide who finishes second behind Argentina in Group J.