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Another day, more superstars shining at the World Cup.
Lionel Messi set a World Cup record with his two goals, but two of the game’s best strikers scored two. Kylian Mbappé, who could one day break Messi’s record of 18 World Cup goals, scored twice for France against Iraq, and then Erling Haaland scored twice for Norway against Senegal.
Here are the best of the day of Monday June 22 during the FIFA World Cup.
Argentina vs. Austria
- Lionel Messi became the first man to score 17 goals in World Cup history.
- Messi has both taken (seven) and missed (three) the most penalties in World Cup history. It was his first miss which was not on target and which was not saved.
- Messi also became the third player to score in six consecutive World Cup matches, after Just Fontaine (France) and Jairzinho (Brazil).
- Messi passed Klose for another record with Argentina’s victory: he has now won 18 World Cup matches in his career, surpassing Klose, who has 17.
- Messi became the fourth man to score five goals in his first two World Cup matches, after Sandor Kocsis (Hungary) in 1954 (seven), Just Fontaine (France) in 1958 (five) and Harry Kane (England) in 2018 (five).
France versus Iraq
- Kylian Mbappé scored two goals, taking his tally to 16 goals in his World Cup career. He is now tied with Miroslav Klose for second in men’s World Cup history behind Messi.
- Mbappé has six multi-goal matches in the World Cup, extending his record.
- Mbappé became the fourth youngest European player to reach 100 national team caps behind Sergio Ramos (Spain), Lukas Podolski (Germany) and Kristen Viikmäe (Estonia).
- Iraq remains winless all-time at the World Cup with a record of 0-0-5 (WDL). He was outscored 11-2 in those matches.
- France have won their first two group matches at each of the last four World Cups.
Norway vs. Senegal
- Erling Haaland scores his third World Cup goal. He now has 59 goals in 52 matches for Norway.
- Haaland has scored in his last 12 competitive appearances for Norway and has scored at least one goal in 18 of his last 21 competitive matches for the national team.
- Haaland is the sixth player to score more than one goal in each of his first two World Cup appearances, and only the second to do so in the last 50 years (England’s Harry Kane in 2018).
- It was only the third time that Senegal had conceded three goals in a World Cup match.
- Ismaïla Sarr now has 20 career goals for Senegal. They were his first two in the World Cup.
Jordan vs. Algeria
- Algeria wins its first World Cup victory in exactly 12 years. His last World Cup victory dates back to June 22, 2014, against South Korea.
- Nizar Al-Rashdan gave Jordan their first ever lead in a World Cup match.
- Algeria have conceded the first goal in nine of their last 12 World Cup matches.
- Riyad Mahrez made his first appearance at the World Cup since June 17, 2014.
THE BEST OF THE DAY
Times of the day
Messi entered Monday’s match against Austria tied with former Germany striker Miroslav Klose with 16 goals as the all-time leader in men’s World Cup goals. He had a golden opportunity to pass Klose but sent his penalty in the ninth minute.
In the 38th minute, Messi scored his goal.
Left back Facundo Medina played a low cross near the penalty spot. Argentina winger Thiago Almada let the pass slip under his legs to an oncoming Messi, who fired his left-footed shot past Austrian goalkeeper Alexander Schlager.
Bonus moment of the day: Norway’s celebration after its victory against Senegal.
Norwegians have become famous for their rowing activity across the Northeast. The team did what its fans did on the field after the victory.
Objective of the day
If this is Messi’s last World Cup and Mbappé maintains his current pace, he will one day be the all-time leading World Cup scorer.
Mbappé showed why from the start of France’s victory against Iraq. He collected the ball on the right side of the penalty area from teammate Michael Olise and placed it on his weaker left foot for a magnificent goal, his third of the tournament.
The French captain came into the tournament after a difficult season with Real Madrid, but he is once again showing why he is one of the best players in the world – for one of the best teams in the World Cup.
Help of the day
Erling Haaland didn’t even have five touches in the first half. Senegal contained the star scorer, who couldn’t connect with Norwegian captain and playmaker Martin Odegaard.
It took a few minutes in the second half for that to change. Odegaard collected the ball in midfield and slipped a perfect pass into the path of Haaland which Kalidou Koulibaly narrowly missed during his sliding tackle.
From there, the arrival was inevitable.
Save of the day
Senegal came under heavy pressure in the first half against Norway, who created chances and looked threatening going forward.
The best chance fell to Norwegian captain Martin Ødegaard, who quickly scored his shot. Mendy, however, was quick to close down Ødegaard and take away the space he had. The former Chelsea goalkeeper made himself tall and blocked the shot with his left leg.
