Messi Breaks World Cup Scoring Record With 2 Goals as France Beats Iraq 3-0
Updated
Updated · ESPN · Jun 23
Messi Breaks World Cup Scoring Record With 2 Goals as France Beats Iraq 3-0
3 articles · Updated · ESPN · Jun 23
Summary
Two Lionel Messi goals sent Argentina past Austria 2-0 and into the round of 32, with the captain setting a new all-time FIFA World Cup scoring record.
Messi missed a ninth-minute penalty and another early chance before scoring in the 38th minute, then struck again in stoppage time after following up Julián Álvarez's blocked breakaway.
That first goal moved him past Miroslav Klose on the men's list, and the late second took him beyond Marta for the overall World Cup record.
France also won 3-0 over Iraq in Philadelphia, where Kylian Mbappé scored twice and Ousmane Dembélé added one after a lightning delay halted play for 2 hours 15 minutes.
Lionel Messi now holds the all-time World Cup goal record. Should this achievement erase the gender line in football records?
With the new 48-team format, are individual records from superstars overshadowing the actual competition for the World Cup trophy?
As superstars shine in US stadiums, are host cities on track to lose the economic game of the 2026 World Cup?
2026 FIFA World Cup: Messi and Mbappé’s Record-Breaking Scoring Race and the Rise of New Football Legends
Overview
On June 22, 2026, the FIFA World Cup saw Lionel Messi make history by becoming only the third player to score in six successive World Cups, further cementing his legendary status and helping Argentina extend their winning streak to eight matches. On the same day, Kylian Mbappé scored twice for France in a dramatic match against Iraq, which was notable for being the first weather-related suspension of the tournament. Ousmane Dembele added a third goal, securing a crucial victory for France. These headline performances highlight the ongoing battle between football’s greatest stars and the emergence of new records at the 2026 World Cup.