“Mbappé makes history in the World Cup with two goals in the victory over Senegal.”

Lionel Messi made history again at the World Cup, this time with an impressive hat-trick against Algeria at the age of 38, equaling the legendary Miroslav Klose as the all-time top scorer in finals with 16 goals. Kylian Mbappé also shone, scoring twice and leading France to victory over Senegal, while Erling Haaland finally made his debut on football’s biggest stage, guiding Norway to a convincing win against Iraq. The sixth day of the 2026 World Cup was marked by the strong return of the main stars and the confirmation of some of the most anticipated teams.

At the start of the day, all eyes were on Kylian Mbappé, who did not disappoint. The Real Madrid forward opened the scoring for France in the 27th minute, following a lackluster first half, taking advantage of a masterful pass from Michael Olise. Bradley Barcola doubled the lead after an excellent team play, but Senegal managed to pull one back through Ibrahim Mbaye. However, Mbappé sealed the deal with a stunning strike, finalizing the score at 3-1. With this brace, Mbappé now has 14 goals in 15 World Cup matches, surpassing historic names like Pelé and Just Fontaine, and equaling Gerd Müller. France, the 2018 world champions and finalists in 2022, thus reasserts itself as one of the main contenders for the title.

O MUNDIAL 2026 VIVE-SE COM A LEGO

Erling Haaland, for his part, confirmed Norway’s status as a “dark horse” attributed to them before the tournament. The Manchester City forward scored Norway’s first goal in a final tournament since 1998 and was decisive in the 4-1 victory over Iraq. Aymen Hussain equalized for the Iraqis, but Haaland, with his constant presence in the area, forced the second goal and contributed to the opponent’s defensive collapse. Leo Ostigard and an own goal by Hussein completed the scoreline, putting Norway in an excellent position to secure a place in the round of 16, needing only a victory over Senegal in their next match.

The most awaited moment of the day, however, belonged to Lionel Messi. The Argentine, who many believed was in decline after moving to MLS, silenced all critics by scoring three goals against Algeria, securing a 3-0 victory in Argentina’s opener. This hat-trick allowed him to equal Miroslav Klose’s record and continue fueling the dream of winning a second World Cup, which would definitively cement his legacy as the greatest Argentine player of all time. “The king is back,” Argentine media wrote after the final whistle. Messi, at the end of the match, stated: “I feel good, motivated, and ready to help my team win everything again. This group deserves it.” The captain of the albiceleste thus demonstrated that, even at 38 years old, he remains the central figure of the world champion team.

The day was also marked by the clash between Austria and Jordan, a match that surprised with its intensity and the quality of the goals. Romano Schmid scored what many already consider the best goal of the tournament, while Ali Olwan equalized for the Jordanians with a sublime strike. Austria ultimately emerged victorious in a match marked by goalkeeper errors and yet another controversial VAR decision, reinforcing its status as a team to watch in this final phase.

In the selection chapter, England announced the absence of Tino Livramento due to a muscle injury, with Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah being called up as an emergency replacement. This decision leaves the English team with few options for the flanks, which could be a decisive factor in the difficult clash against Croatia.

With the big stars making their presence felt and several records being matched or broken, the 2026 World Cup promises to be full of excitement. Anticipation is growing around what Messi, Mbappé, and Haaland might still achieve in a tournament that is already making history in football. The next round will bring decisive clashes for determining which teams advance to the knockout stage, and fans are looking forward to new chapters in a competition that is exceeding all expectations.

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