World Cup Day 12: Messi smashes record, weather delay, Mbappe and Haaland purr | OneFootball

Matchday 12 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 bore witness to Lionel Messi setting a new record, the first lengthy weather delay of the tournament, and virtuoso performances from Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland. 

We’ve recapped all the happenings from Monday’s action, including what you may have missed overnight.

World Cup Day 12:

Messi breaks record as Argentina reach knockouts

Lionel Messi put on another masterclass at the World Cup as the Inter Miami forward grabbed a brace against Austria to become the all-time top goal scorer in the competition’s history.

The 38-year-old, however, did not get off to a great start, sending a poor penalty attempt wide of the target after is stutter-step run up to the spot kick failed to fool goalkeeper Alexander Schlager.

But Messi recovered from that setback quickly, brilliantly sliding Facundo Medina’s low cross into the bottom corner for his 17th World Cup goal, moving him one ahead of previous record holder Miroslav Klose.

Argentina never got out of first gear from that point on while looking very comfortable. Austria offered little in attack, allowing the reigning champions to conserve their energy.

They did eventually get the second goal their performance deserved when Messi broke on the counter deep into stoppage time. He sprayed the ball out to Julian Alvarez, whose shot was saved. The ball came back to Messi, who initial effort was blocked, but he managed to squeak the rebound past Kevin Danso for his 18th World Cup goal and a 2-0 win.

Read – Julian Alvarez makes transfer admission amid Arsenal and Barcelona links

Weather delay can’t rain on France’s parade

Kylian Mbappe moved within two goals of Messi’s record when he grabbed a brace against Iraq in torrential weather in Philadelphia.

The Real Madrid striker unleashed a superb strike from range to give France the lead in the 14th minute. Iraq managed to keep them out for the rest of the half, but we wouldn’t see a ball kicked in anger again for over two hours after the game was stopped due to heavy rain and storm protocols.

If the Iraqis were feeling positive about how they reacted to going a goal down in the first half, that completely evaporated soon after the elongated interval. Ahmed Basil Fadhil, who replaced Jalal Hassan in nets following his blunder against Norway, gift wrapped a goal to France, mis-controlling a short kick out to hand Mbappe the easiest goal of his life.

Didier Deschamps’ men were in the groove now as Michael Olise’s audacious lob bounced off the crossbar. The Bayern Munich attacker went on to set up Ousmane Dembele for their third goal of the match, condemning Iraq to a heavy defeat three hours and 48 minutes after it first kicked off.

Read – Every player to win 100 caps for France as Mbappe reaches milestone

Norway beat Senegal in five-goal thriller

Going up against one of the best centre-forwards in world football, Senegal knew they could not afford any mistakes at the back. But they handed Norway a first-half lead when Kalidou Koulibaly passed the ball straight to Marcus Holmgren Pedersen right outside the box.

The full-back, who had only come on 30 minutes earlier to replace the injured Julian Ryerson, fired the ball underneath Edouard Mendy, who probably should have done better.

Norway almost doubled their lead when Erling Haaland stole the ball off Mendy in a moment that was very reminiscent of his first goal against Iraq last week. But in his rush to score from an acute angle, his shot hit the post. The ball was subsequently crossed back towards the Manchester City star, whose header was caught by the goalkeeper.

Haaland took no time making up for his miss after the break, though. Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard supplied an inch perfect through-ball for the striker to run onto before chipping Mendy.

Senegal, however, got themselves back into the contest almost immediately. A delicious touch from Sadio Mane played in Ismaila Sarr, who managed to find the net under duress.

Unfortunately for the AFCON finalists, their reprieve was also short lived. Patrick Berg recovered possession in the opposition box following another error by Koulibaly and sent it into Haaland, who diverted the ball in off the crossbar with a simple side-footed volley for his third goal of the tournament.

Read – Juventus exploring a deal for Manchester City forward

Algeria come from behind to eliminate Jordan

Jordan scored their first ever goal at a World Cup when Nizar Al Rashdan poked home after 35 minutes against Algeria.

But the Fennecs staged a second-half comeback in Santa Clara thanks to goals from Nadir Benbouali and Amine Gouiri.

Algeria can finish second in Group J if they beat Austria in their final match this Sunday, though a draw should be enough to see them through as one of the best third-placed teams.

Jordan, however, are heading after two matches. Even if they somehow beat Argentina, there is no possibility of progressing to the knockouts thanks to FIFA’s head-to-head tiebreaker. Argentina are also guaranteed to finish top of the group, meaning their encounter will be the deadest of rubbers.

Read – How FIFA’s new World Cup format manufactures dead rubbers

Iconic Performances – The night Zinedine Zidane dominated Brazil at the World Cup

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