World Cup Day 6: Messi makes history; Haaland, Mbappe fire | OneFootball

Tuesday’s World Cup action didn’t disappoint as some of the tournament’s big names finally turned up to the party.

We’ve recapped all the happenings from matchday six, including what you missed overnight and the biggest stories from the tournament.

World Cup Day 6:

Mbappe makes mark as France beat Senegal

Kylian Mbappe is just 27 years old, but he has a World Cup career to match almost any in the game.

Mbappe opened the 2026 tournament with two goals, including a blistering late strike, as France saw off a stubborn Senegal. After a poor first half, the Real Madrid striker exploded after the break, steering in from a gorgeous Michael Olise pass for the opener.

Bradley Barcola doubled the lead after another fine French move, before Mbappe’s blast made the result safe, just moments after Ibrahim Mbaye had given Senegal a lifeline.

Mbappe has now scored 14 World Cup goals in 15 games, more than Pele, Just Fontaine, and level with Gerd Muller. A winner in 2018, a Golden Boot in 2022, including a final hat-trick, what can he achieve this time around?

Read – The best football kits we’ll see at FIFA World Cup 2026

Haaland has World Cup debut to remember

Dubbed dark horses before a ball had been kicked, Norway lived up to that billing after swatting aside Iraq in their opener.

It helps, of course, to have Erling Haaland in your ranks.

The Manchester City superstar was in the right place at the right time to score Norway’s first World Cup goal since 1998, before hunting down the Iraq defence to force a second, after Aymen Hussain’s headed equaliser.

Iraq struggled with Norway’s set piece threat all game, with Leo Ostigard and an own goal from Hussein sealing a 4-1 win for the Scandinavians. Senegal are up next, where a win will almost certainly seal a place in the knockout rounds.

Read – How to watch World Cup highlights this summer

Messi makes history with Algeria hat-trick

The king is back.

Argentina’s win in Qatar four years ago was widely lauded as Messi’s crowning moment, a fitting farewell to a career that has reached unprecedented heights. But, at 38, Messi is proving he’s far from done. A move to MLS has not contributed to a decline for Messi, who lead South America’s qualification phase for goals and started with a bang here.

A stunning hat-trick saw Argentina’s defence begin with a 3-0 win over Algeria, and saw Messi make history. He reached 16 goals in the World Cup, levelling the landmark of Miroslav Klose, and with plenty of time to set his own.

Make no mistake, Messi remains the main man for the world champions. A second World Cup would give him an unmatched Argentine legacy.

Read – 10 of the most unforgettable FIFA World Cup moments

Austria see of debutants Jordan in action-packed encounter

Austria against Jordan was hardly the sort of fixture to get a UK audience up in the early hours to watch, but those who did watch through bleary eyes will not have been disappointed.

Austria edged an end-to-end encounter in the end, a clash that contained brilliant goals, goalkeeping gaffes, and now customary VAR drama. On a day of great goals, Romano Schmid slammed in his entry for Goal of the Tournament so far, before Ali Olwan whipped Jordan level with a lovely effort of his own.

Read – The youngest players ever to feature at a World Cup

Chalobah called up for England as Livramento injury ends World Cup hopes

There was some squad news from England ahead of their opener against Croatia on Wednesday night. Tino Livramento will play no part in the tournament after sustaining a calf issue, with the versatile Newcastle defender sent home.

Thomas Tuchel sprung a surprise with the inclusion of Chelsea centre-back Trevoh Chalobah as his replacement, leaving England light in the full-back areas.

A penny for Trent Alexander-Arnold’s thoughts…

Read – The five World Cup teams to score 7+ goals this century

See Also – Ronaldo’s redemption at the 2002 World Cup

Follow The Football Faithful on Social Media:

Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | TikTok