World Cup highlights: The never ageing Messi responds to Haaland and Mbappe

[p][b][a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/5HVXO9dxLLHOPDks18WhAx?si=CUGPRHpeSPeDQppPhpJbrA&nd=1&dlsi=2c808737d0c943a8"]You can now listen to this article via Spotify[/a].[/b][/p][p][i][b]Flashscore[/b][/i] brings you the best of the tournament every day with daily highlights from the [b]World Cup[/b], so you don’t miss any of the key moments.[/p][h2]Key Moments[/h2][p]Where to begin? Three of the world’s biggest stars played their first match in the 2026 World Cup.[/p][p]Things got off to a flying start in the very first match of day six, with [b][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/mbappe-kylian/Wn6E2SED/"]Mbappé[/a][/b] netting a brace. He put [b][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/france/QkGeVG1n/"]France[/a][/b] ahead after a superb assist from [b][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/olise-michael/E5pvwqkK/"]Michael Olise[/a][/b] (66th minute) – who had already delivered a brilliant pass just minutes earlier. [b][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/barcola-bradley/lhGD3RgS/"]Bradley Barcola[/a][/b] doubled the lead (82nd), before the captain added another. The No.10 for the Bleus wasted no time after Ibrahim Mbaye pulled one back (90+5) to beat [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/mendy-edouard/8zpLkf6p/"]Edouard Mendy[/a] with a stunning long-range strike (90+6)![/p][p]On top of that, the French striker became his country’s all-time top scorer, surpassing Olivier Giroud’s 57 goals.[/p][p]Next up, it was [b][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/haaland-erling/UmV9iQmE/"]Erling Haaland[/a][/b]’s turn to shine. Against [b][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/iraq/K8aAGt6r/"]Iraq[/a][/b], he matched[b] [/b]Mbappe's feat. Two goals in fourteen minutes, between the 29th and 43rd minutes, while Aymen Hussein equalised in between. Then, in stoppage time, his assist was ultimately not credited as the goal was an own goal… by[b] [/b]Hussein[b] [/b](90+6). Final score 4-1, and we’re already looking forward to [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/norway/8rP6JO0H/"]Norway[/a] vs France![/p][embed guid="81c70962-e548-4b1a-838e-ba76d3e6e8e3" url="https://x.com/OptaJohan/status/2067132876185846095" social-type="twitter" /][p]Then came the icing on the cake with an incredible performance from [b][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/messi-lionel/vgOOdZbd/"]Lionel Messi[/a][/b] against [b][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/algeria/nc87N1BR/"]Algeria[/a][/b]. Few expected such a debut, but the former [b][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/barcelona/SKbpVP5K/"]FC Barcelona[/a][/b] star rolled back the years with a stunning hat-trick. He had never scored three goals in a single World Cup match before. For [b][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/argentina/f9OppQjp/"]Argentina[/a][/b], it’s the perfect start, and now they have every reason to believe they can defend their title.[/p][embed guid="08baaaf9-2be2-46d1-8d57-51da269fb3be" url="https://x.com/OptaJoe/status/2067075852819370239" social-type="twitter" /][p]Finally, [b][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/austria/naHiWdnt/"]Austria[/a][/b] wrapped up the day with a rollercoaster match. Quickly taking the lead, Ralf Rangnick’s men wobbled against a brave Jordanian side. In the second half, it took another veteran to make the difference: [b][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/arnautovic-marko/WvR2ASLR/"]Marko Arnautovic[/a][/b]. Involved in the 2-1, then decisive from the penalty spot in stoppage time, the No.7 secured his country’s first World Cup win in 36 years![/p][h2]Goal of the Day[/h2][p]This is Messi’s trademark. After a beautiful Argentine move, the No.10 bursts forward from the centre circle, passes, then collects the ball near the box.[/p][p]As he’s done so often for nearly twenty years, he curls a perfect left-footed shot that gives [b][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/zidane-luca/jPxdddKn/"]Luca Zidane[/a][/b] no chance. The ball skims the post and seals the match. This goal is even more special as it allows[b] [/b]Messi to join [b][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/klose-miroslav/tO31cZrF/"]Miroslav Klose[/a][/b] among the top scorers in World Cup history.[/p][p]It also marks his first hat-trick in the competition, in what was his 27th match across six editions. We can’t wait to see what’s next.[/p][image alt="Messi's third goal sequence" id="b66d39bd-a7a1-40fa-8a51-62de3db124ec" credit-line="StatsPerform via Opta, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters / Jay Biggerstaff" guid="bef4b7d3-9104-4689-83ab-29df84acd90c" original-width="1080" original-height="1080" /][h2]Player of the Day[/h2][p]How could we not name Leo Messi this Wednesday? At almost 39 years old, he continues to show he never stops with the ball at his feet.[/p][p]It almost seems like a joke, as no one expected such a debut. Since the 2022 triumph, Messi has been seen as retired, especially after his move to Inter Miami in MLS. Sure, Europe doesn’t watch him as closely as before, but it’s clear he hasn’t lost his magic. His hat-trick is just another signature moment.[/p][embed guid="8bc98734-fa0d-4c3d-bd0f-30b9d96b4470" url="https://x.com/OptaAnalyst/status/2067078465937883545" social-type="twitter" /][p]A top-corner goal, a second showing his poacher’s instinct, and a third into the side netting. This hat-trick had it all. The opposition may not have done everything to stop him, but it shows he’s still incredibly hard to defend. The question now is whether he can do the same against[b] [/b]Austria and [b][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/jordan/vNcmJoU2/"]Jordan[/a][/b] before the end of the group stage…[/p][p]In the first half, his nasty challenge could have changed everything, but the referees clearly didn’t see it. Good news for[b] [/b]Messi and Argentina, as they can still count on their magician.[/p][p]He’s been more dazzling in open play before, but that’s not what matters this Wednesday. The world (and especially Europe) woke up once again, amazed by the brilliance of one of football’s greatest legends.[/p][h2]Best of Social Media[/h2][p]This is probably the night’s ugliest moment: Messi committed a foul that could have changed everything… Unsurprisingly, the incident went viral on social media.[/p][embed guid="f6e93aeb-4e5b-4648-b7e6-4dba4d4dc42b" url="https://x.com/beltrandelrio/status/2067082128689422491" social-type="twitter" /][p]Speaking to the press, Thomas Tuchel discussed the recent events his squad has gone through—and even joked about it![/p][embed guid="a02506b6-8c48-41b1-9bc5-4bb1944a4f7b" url="https://x.com/oncediariomx/status/2067064536369103162" social-type="twitter" /][p]Finally, [b][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/rabiot-adrien/l08EAP2Q/"]Adrien Rabiot[/a] [/b]shared his thoughts on the pitch conditions on Tuesday night…[/p][embed guid="03985f70-f8c0-42ee-9813-79a043373b07" url="https://x.com/sofoot/status/2067062175693254682" social-type="twitter" /][infobox id="4ccc1b10-d68f-4c97-bcf4-5e613c17c2e3" /]