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Jun 23, 20263
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Messi and Mbappé Shatter World Cup Scoring Records in Historic Tournament Start
Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé are rewriting World Cup scoring history: Messi now holds the all-time record with 18 goals, while Mbappé is tied for second with 16. Both have led their teams to the knockout stage amid a goal-scoring bonanza attributed to new rules, equipment, and expanded tournament format.
Quick Facts
Who
Lionel Messi
What
Messi scored five goals in first two matches, setting record for most career World Cup goals
When
2026-06-23
Where
2026 World Cup (USA, Canada, Mexico)
- Messi scored five goals in first two matches, setting record for most career World Cup goals
- Mbappé scored four goals, tying Klose for second all-time
- Haaland scored four goals in World Cup debut
- Ronaldo scored two goals against Uzbekistan
- First 100 goals of tournament scored in record 33 matches
Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé have captivated the 2026 World Cup with record-breaking goal-scoring performances, leading their teams to the knockout rounds while rewriting the tournament's history books.
Messi, nearing his 39th birthday, scored five goals in Argentina's first two matches, surpassing Miroslav Klose's previous record of 16 career World Cup goals. His second goal against Austria secured a 2-0 victory and brought his career total to 18, also surpassing Brazilian legend Marta's record of 17 goals across all World Cups (men's and women's). The Inter Miami star has scored 12 of his goals since turning 35, demonstrating remarkable longevity.
Mbappé, 27, has added four goals for France, including two in a 3-0 win over Iraq, bringing his career World Cup total to 16 and tying Klose for second on the all-time list. The Real Madrid forward has scored his 16 goals in 16 matches since 2018, compared to Messi's 28 matches over six tournaments. “Leo always scores,” Mbappé said. “If I want to look at what Leo’s doing, I’ll have to do even more.”
Norway's Erling Haaland has also made a strong impact in his World Cup debut with four goals in two matches, while Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice against Uzbekistan to reach 10 career goals. Argentina and France have both secured spots in the elimination rounds and are among the favorites to win the tournament.
The tournament has seen an unprecedented number of goals, with the first 100 scored in just 33 matches — the fastest such milestone since 1958. The average of 3.09 goals per match exceeds the 2.69 average from the 2022 tournament. Analysts attribute the surge to several factors, including the new official ball “Trionda” with its unpredictable flight, mandatory cooling breaks due to North American heat, the five-substitution rule, precise injury-time calculations, and the expanded 48-team format that has widened the gap between traditional powers and debutants.
Why This Matters
For fans and analysts tracking the 2026 World Cup, these record-breaking performances signal a shift in football’s power dynamics and highlight how rule changes (e.g., five substitutes, precise injury time) and equipment (the Trionda ball) are boosting scoring rates. This affects betting odds, fantasy lineups, and tournament predictions, as high-scoring games could persist into the knockout stage.
Timeline & Sources
Jun 23, 2026
WireMessi scores five goals in first two matches, setting all-time World Cup goal record.
Jun 23, 2026
WireMbappé scores four goals in first two matches, tying for second all-time.
Jun 23, 2026
WireHaaland scores four goals in Norway's first two World Cup matches since 1998.
Jun 23, 2026
WireRonaldo scores twice against Uzbekistan.
Jun 23, 2026
WireArgentina and France secure spots in knockout rounds.
Jun 23, 2026
WireArgentina defeats Austria 2-0; Messi scores twice, sets all-time World Cup goal record with 18.
Jun 23, 2026
WireFrance defeats Iraq 3-0; Mbappé scores twice, ties Klose for second in career World Cup goals with 16.
Jun 24, 2026
WireWorld Cup reaches 100 goals in fastest time since 1958; analysts cite new ball, rules, and expanded format.
Entities
- Real Madrid
- Lionel Messi
- Inter Miami
- Marta
- Mexico
- Norway national football team
- Manchester City
- Julián Álvarez
- Argentina national football team
- Miroslav Klose
- Cristiano Ronaldo
- Ralf Rangnick
- ESPN
- FIFA
- Portugal national football team
- BBC
- Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima
- Erling Haaland
- France national football team
- United States
- Thomas Frank
- Reuters
- Canada
- Kylian Mbappé
- Trionda (ball)