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Jun 23, 20264
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Messi, Mbappé, Haaland Each Score Twice in World Cup Goal-Fest
Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, and Erling Haaland each scored twice on the same day, with Messi becoming the World Cup's all-time leading scorer. Their performances have set up a fierce contest for the Golden Boot as all three teams advanced to the round of 32.
Quick Facts
Who
Lionel Messi
What
scored two goals each
When
Monday (June 22, 2026)
Where
Dallas Stadium (Arlington, Texas)
- scored two goals each
- Messi became all-time leading scorer
- Messi's World Cup tally reached 18 goals
- Mbappé tied Klose with 16 World Cup goals
- Haaland scored four goals in his first World Cup
Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, and Erling Haaland each scored two goals in their respective World Cup matches on Monday, setting up a thrilling race for the tournament's Golden Boot.
Messi, playing two days before his 39th birthday, scored both goals in Argentina's 2-0 victory over Austria at Dallas Stadium. His two strikes took his career World Cup tally to a record 18 goals, surpassing Germany's Miroslav Klose. The Argentina captain now leads the tournament scoring chart with five goals from two matches.
Hours later, Mbappé scored twice for France in a 3-0 win over Iraq in Philadelphia, despite a nearly two-hour thunderstorm delay at halftime. The France captain reached 16 World Cup goals across three tournaments, tying him with Klose for second on the all-time list. Ousmane Dembélé also scored for France.
At New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, Haaland scored twice as Norway defeated Senegal 3-2 to secure a place in the round of 32. The 25-year-old Manchester City striker now has four goals in two matches in his first World Cup, level with Mbappé and one behind Messi in the Golden Boot standings.
Haaland's double followed a frustrating first half where he struck the post and had a header saved. Norway coach Ståle Solbakken praised his star, saying "He is the best striker. He doesn't play for France or Argentina. He scores for Norway."
Mbappé played down comparisons with Messi after France's win. "Leo always scores goals and always will. So I am not looking at what he is doing. I'm just focusing on helping my team," Mbappé said.
With all three forwards leading their teams into the knockout stage, the battle for the Golden Boot remains wide open. Haaland has now scored in 12 consecutive competitive matches for Norway, with 24 goals over that stretch.
Why This Matters
This development shifts the World Cup narrative to a three-way scoring duel between Messi, Mbappé, and Haaland. Their simultaneous double strikes not only break records but also set up head-to-head comparisons that will dominate headlines. For fans and analysts, tracking who wins the Golden Boot becomes a central story, while each player's team dynamics and knockout-stage matchups will be scrutinized for advantages. Betting markets, sponsors, and media coverage will intensify around these three stars.
Timeline & Sources
Jun 22, 2026
WireMessi scores twice for Argentina in 2-0 win over Austria, becoming all-time World Cup top scorer with 18 goals.
Jun 22, 2026
WireMbappé scores twice for France in 3-0 win over Iraq, tying Klose with 16 World Cup goals. Match delayed by thunderstorm.
Jun 22, 2026
WireHaaland scores twice for Norway in 3-2 win over Senegal, reaching four career World Cup goals.
Jun 22, 2026
WireArgentina, France, and Norway all advance to the round of 32.
Jun 22, 2026
WireHaaland scores two goals in second half for Norway vs Senegal
Entities
- Lionel Messi
- Didier Deschamps
- Norway national football team
- Manchester City
- Austria national football team
- East Rutherford, New Jersey
- Argentina national football team
- FIFA World Cup
- Miroslav Klose
- Ståle Solbakken
- Philadelphia
- Senegal national football team
- Arlington, Texas
- Ismaila Sarr
- New York New Jersey Stadium (East Rutherford, New Jersey)
- Erling Haaland
- France national football team
- Dallas Stadium, Arlington, Texas
- Iraq national football team
- Kylian Mbappé
- Ousmane Dembélé
- Marcus Pedersen
Sources
- Erling Haaland World Cup Goals D4839e677ca60d26ef0bb61eb79c2446apWireJun 23, 2026
- Mundial Messi Mbappe Haaland Argentina Francia Noruega Aaafcbf75f6d94c7b62189f409ff6e84apWireJun 23, 2026
- Messi, Mbappe and Haaland set up Golden Boot showdownxinhuaMediaJun 23, 2026
- World Cup roundup: Messi becomes all-time top scorer as Argentina, France and Norway reach knockout stagexinhuaMediaJun 23, 2026