FIFA World Cup Day 6 Wrap: Messi’s record Hat-Trick & Mbappe’s brace steal the show
Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick to tie Miroslav Klose’s World Cup goal record in Argentina’s 3-0 win over Algeria at Kansas City Stadium, while Kylian Mbappé became France’s all-time top scorer with a brace in a 3-1 victory over Senegal at New York New Jersey Stadium. Both matches marked historic moments on Day 6 of the FIFA World Cup 2026, with Argentina and France securing dominant openings to their group-stage campaigns.
Argentina and France delivered standout performances on Day 6 of the FIFA World Cup 2026, with Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé each delivering historic individual feats. In Kansas City, Messi silenced critics by scoring a hat-trick in Argentina’s 3-0 win over Algeria, marking his 200th senior international appearance and tying Miroslav Klose’s record of 16 World Cup goals. His three goals—scored in the 17th, 60th, and 76th minutes—came at Kansas City Stadium, where the Argentine captain showcased his signature curling strikes to lead his team to a flawless start. Meanwhile, France secured a 3-1 victory over Senegal at New York New Jersey Stadium, with Mbappé becoming the nation’s all-time top scorer by netting a brace. His goals in the 66th and 90+6th minutes surpassed Olivier Giroud’s previous record of 58 international goals, while Bradley Barcola added a second-half strike to ensure France’s opening win. Senegal’s Ibrahim Mbaye pulled one back late, but Mbappé’s stoppage-time winner sealed the win. Other group-stage matches saw Norway dominate Iraq 4-1 in Boston, with Erling Haaland scoring twice, and Austria defeat Jordan 3-1 in the San Francisco Bay Area, thanks to a late penalty. The day highlighted the tournament’s early momentum, with defending champions and European powerhouses setting the pace for the expanded 48-team World Cup. Messi’s performance came after months of physical scrutiny and a grueling domestic season, with Argentina’s coach, Lionel Scaloni, acknowledging the emotional and logistical challenges behind the scenes. The win provided a stark contrast to Argentina’s 2022 opening-day defeat and restored confidence ahead of the tournament. France’s victory avoided a repeat of their 2002 opening-day loss to Senegal, with Mbappé’s goals cementing his status as the tournament’s breakout star. The day’s results underscored the competitive depth of the expanded World Cup, as multiple teams delivered strong performances in their opening matches.
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