World Cup: Messi Scores Hat-Trick as Mbappé and Haaland Lead Their Teams to Victory

The 2026 World Cup delivered another memorable day of action, with some of the tournament’s biggest stars taking center stage.

France kicked off the day with a 3-1 win over Senegal as Kylian Mbappé and Bradley Barcola provided the goals to give Didier Deschamps a key three points.

Erling Haaland and Norway’s long-awaited return to the World Cup took center stage in the afternoon and the star striker did not disappoint, putting together a first-half brace in a 4-1 blowout win over Iraq.

Then, in prime time, Lionel Messi delivered like only he can, nabbing his first World Cup hat trick to jump into a tie for No. 1 all time in goals scored. It was a great start for reigning champion Argentina as it dispatched Algeria 3-0 in its opener.

Austria wrapped up the day with a 3-1 win over Jordan in the late kickoff, spoiling Jordan’s historic World Cup debut and joining Argentina atop Group J.