World Cup day 12: Messi makes history, Mbappé chases and Haaland scores
- Messi enters eternity by surpassing Klose as the all-time top scorer in World Cups with 18 goals
- Mbappé continues the pursuit with a brace against Iraq, reaching 16 World Cup goals
- Haaland unleashed with another brace in Norway's 3-2 victory against Senegal, adding 4 goals in the tournament
Monday of records. The 12th gave us Messi's historic record, another Mbappé masterclass, a rampant Haaland and a comeback with a twist of surprise. Groups I and J wrapped up their second matchday and there are already tickets for the Round of 16. Here's the rundown.
Argentina 2-0 Austria: Messi enters the history books. A brace from the captain (who'd missed a penalty earlier) sends Argentina to the Round of 16 and, in doing so, breaks Klose's record as the all-time top scorer in World Cup history (18 goals). A day to frame. I've got all the details here.
France 3-0 Iraq: Mbappé's not about to be left behind. Kylian Mbappé with a brace (14th and 54th minutes) and a goal from Ousmane Dembélé. With those two strikes, Mbappé reaches 16 World Cup goals and matches Klose, two behind Messi's shiny new record. France qualified and top of Group I.
Norway 3-2 Senegal: the Haaland show. In the big match of the "group of death", Erling Haaland grabbed a brace (he's up to four in the tournament) after Pedersen's opener. Senegal fought until the end, but Norway won through, qualified and matched France on points.
Algeria 2-1 Jordan: comeback and curtains for Jordan. Jordan took the lead, but Benbouali and Gouiri turned it around. Algeria throws itself into the Round of 16 battle; Jordan eliminated without a point to their name.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the all-time top scorer in World Cup history as of matchday 12?
Lionel Messi. In Argentina's 2-0 victory over Austria, he scored a brace and reached 18 goals, surpassing Miroslav Klose as the all-time leading goalscorer in World Cup history.
What was the result of France vs Iraq on matchday 12?
France won 3-0 with a brace from Kylian Mbappé (14th and 54th minutes) and a goal from Ousmane Dembélé. Mbappé reached 16 World Cup goals, equalling Klose's tally and sitting two goals behind Messi's record.
How many goals has Haaland scored at the 2026 World Cup?
Four. On matchday 12, he scored a brace in Norway's 3-2 victory over Senegal, which secured Norway's passage to the Round of 16.
Which team was eliminated on matchday 12?
Jordan, who lost 2-1 to Algeria after taking the lead and were eliminated with zero points.
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