SB Nation Reacts Launches 3 World Cup First-Round Polls After All 48 Teams Debut

Q: With Messi tying the all-time goal record, can any other player challenge his claim for the tournament's best performance?

Yes. Messi’s hat trick in Argentina’s 3-0 win over Algeria is the strongest single-game case so far, especially because it tied Miroslav Klose’s all-time World Cup scoring record at 16 and came in Messi’s sixth tournament. That combination of production, history and match control makes him the clear benchmark in SB Nation Reacts’ “best individual performance” debate. But he is not unchallenged. Kylian Mbappé is the most credible rival after his double for France against Senegal, a performance that also reportedly made him France’s all-time leading men’s scorer. Erling Haaland is also in the conversation after a multi-goal display in Norway’s opening win, while France’s Michael Olise and Ivory Coast’s Yan Diomande were both cited for highly influential performances. There is also a strong outsider case for Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha. His seven-save display in a 0-0 draw with Spain did not carry the same headline value as Messi’s hat trick, but in terms of difficulty, consequence and overperformance, it was one of the round’s most significant individual efforts. Even so, Messi’s claim remains the strongest because his performance combined elite output with a major historical milestone. Others can challenge him on style, influence or surprise value, but on the evidence from the first round, they have not clearly surpassed him. Mbappé looks the likeliest to do so if he follows his opening statement with another decisive performance.

2 articles · Updated · Cartilage Free Captain · Jun 18

SB Nation Reacts opened a new World Cup survey after the first group-stage round wrapped up, inviting fans to weigh in on the tournament’s early standout moments.
Three polls ask readers to pick the best match so far, the most disappointing team display and the top individual performance from the opening games.
All 48 teams have now played once, giving voters a full first look at the field; examples cited include Portugal, Tunisia and Spain, with Mbappe left as an write-in option.
SB Nation said results from the FanDuel-sponsored survey will be published soon as first-round reactions continue to build.