Lionel Messi etched his name further into football history on June 22, 2026, becoming the World Cup's all-time leading scorer with his 17th and 18th career goals as Argentina defeated Austria 2-0 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The same day, France and Norway also secured their places in the knockout rounds with commanding victories.

Messi, now 38, surpassed Germany's Miroslav Klose, who had held the record of 16 World Cup goals since 2014. The Argentine captain scored once in each half, with the first a trademark curling effort from outside the box and the second a clinical finish after a one-two with Julián Álvarez. The record-breaking moment drew a standing ovation from the 80,000-strong crowd, including many neutral fans.

Mbappé Leads France Past Iraq in Storm-Delayed Match

Kylian Mbappé scored a brace as France defeated Iraq 3-0 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, in a match that featured an extraordinary 2-hour, 10-minute halftime intermission due to a severe thunderstorm. The delay did not disrupt Les Bleus, who dominated possession and created numerous chances throughout.

France's victory, combined with Norway's 3-2 win over Senegal, sets up a blockbuster Group I decider between France and Norway on Friday, June 26. Both teams have six points from two matches, with France holding a slender goal-difference advantage (+5 to Norway's +4).

Haaland Shines as Norway Holds Off Senegal

Erling Haaland scored twice as Norway defeated Senegal 3-2 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, in front of 80,663 fans. The match was intensity personified, with Senegal's defensive errors proving costly. Norway's goals came from capitalising on the mistakes of Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly, who endured a difficult evening.

Senegal rallied late, with Ismaïla Sarr scoring his second goal of the match in stoppage time, but Norway held on to secure their place in the Round of 32. Senegal, now with zero points from two matches, face a must-win against Iraq on Friday to have any hope of advancing as one of the best third-placed finishers.

India Angle: World Cup Fever in India

While India did not qualify for the 2026 World Cup, the tournament has captured significant attention across the country. Prime-time broadcasts on Sports18 and JioCinema have drawn record viewership numbers, particularly for matches featuring global superstars like Messi, Mbappé, and Haaland. The Indian Super League (ISL) has also benefited from the World Cup buzz, with several ISL clubs reporting increased youth academy registrations.

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has been closely studying the tournament's expanded 48-team format, which increases the likelihood of India qualifying for future editions. India's FIFA ranking has improved to 102nd, and the AIFF's technical committee is using the World Cup as a benchmark for its long-term development roadmap, targeting qualification for the 2030 or 2034 tournament.

Knockout Stage Picture

With several teams already securing their Round of 32 berths, the tournament is taking shape. Argentina leads Group G with maximum points, while France and Norway have both advanced from Group I. England, Portugal, Brazil, and Germany are also well positioned to progress. The standout match of the next round will likely be the France-Norway clash to determine Group I's top seed, with the winner potentially avoiding a tougher knockout draw.

Sources: NBC News, FIFA.com, Associated Press, Sporting News