Lionel Messi became the World Cup’s all-time leading scorer as Argentina beat Austria, Kylan Mbappé and France posted another four-goal burst, and Erling Haaland’s two early in the second half helped Norway overpower Senegal. Together, the trio’s goals underli
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The first wave of noise hit when Erling Haaland’s night finally caught fire: two goals, both coming within the first 15 minutes of the second half, and suddenly Norway’s game with Senegal looked like it was being rewritten in real time.
The moment carried weight because Haaland had been denied on the eve of halftime. He’d clanked a shot off the post and saw a header turned away before the break. Then, in the second half, he made the match stop hesitating. After a 4-on-2 rush, he scored his first goal against Senegal. His second came when he banked a right-footed shot off the crossbar and in.
And when it was done, he didn’t just celebrate with a striker’s grin. Haaland held his left hand up to his left ear to encourage cheers from a large contingent of red-clad Norway fans.
His surge landed on a day already packed with goals from the tournament’s upper tier. Hours earlier, Lionel Messi and Mbappé each scored two as Argentina and France did the scoring on their way to wins.
Messi’s performance added a new layer to football history. He became the World Cup’s all-time leading goal-scorer with 18 when Argentina beat Austria in Arlington, Texas. He’s also leading the race for the golden boot with five goals in two games.
Mbappé, meanwhile, kept pace in the same high-scoring orbit. France beat Iraq 3-0 in Philadelphia, with Mbappé scoring twice to reach 16 goals. He is tied for second with former record-holder Miroslav Klose.
With Haaland’s two bringing his tally up through this stretch, the combined picture is starting to look like a separate race inside the tournament itself: the three players have scored a combined 13 goals so far.
Haaland’s own climb is still comparatively short—his current momentum sits on a longer wait. This is his first time on soccer’s biggest stage. and the context matters: Norway last qualified in 1998. two years before he was born. But he may not need much time to make up ground. He is on the verge of turning 26 next month, and he has already turned scoring into routine.
The 6-foot-5 striker has scored in 12 consecutive competitive matches for Norway’s national team. Over that run, he has 24 goals. The last time Haaland didn’t score for Norway in a game that mattered was Oct. 13, 2024.
The goals on Monday night didn’t just move numbers. They reminded everyone watching that Messi, Mbappé and Haaland are defining the tournament in the same moment—three different teams, three different matches, and the same relentless message: the top of the scoring list isn’t waiting for anyone.
MISRYOUM Sports News World Cup Lionel Messi Erling Haaland Mbappé Norway Senegal Argentina Austria France Iraq golden boot Miroslav Klose Arlington Texas Philadelphia East Rutherford
Messi is just on another level. Like how is anyone supposed to catch that??
So Haaland got denied before halftime and then scored twice?? I swear those posts/crossbars always come back around. Also the “left ear” thing to hype fans is kinda funny but I get it.
Wait Mbappé scored four goals? It says another four-goal burst but I’m confused like was that the whole team or just him. Either way that’s wild that France is lighting it up again, but Iraq beating… sorry did France even play Iraq for real?
World Cup and it’s just the same three dudes every time lol. I saw Messi is leading with 18 goals already which is insane, but also isn’t this like the golden boot race so why does it matter if they’re lighting up “in two games”?? I’m not even sure Norway vs Senegal was actually close before, sounds like Haaland turned it around in like 5 minutes.