FIFA World Cup 2026 results roundup Day 6: Lionel Messi hat trick, Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe brace as big boys arrive
World Cup 2026 results: Argentina begin the defence of their World Cup crown against Algeria, while Jordan make their tournament debut against Austria. In Group I, 2022 World Cup finalists France opened their campaign against Senegal, and Iraq marked their return to the global stage against Norway.
Argentina 3-0 Algeria
Lionel Messi bagged a hat trick as Argentina began their title defense by brushing aside Algeria. The 38-year-old veteran showed he will still be a force to reckon with after a vintage display. The game at Arrowhead Stadium started at a frenetic pace with both teams having early chances.
The first goal arrived in the 17th minute after the Inter Miami forward curled a finish past Luca Zidane, the son of French footballing legend Zinedine Zidane. La Albiceleste took hold of the game and ensured there were no hiccups heading into half time. After play resumed, it was once again all about Messi.
At the hour mark, Zidane could only parry Alexis MacAllister’s effort into the path of the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, who thumped home. He then capped off the display with a wonderful strike in the 76th minute to complete his first World Cup hat trick and draw level with Germany’s Miroslav Klose as the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history with 16 goals.
This statement win puts Argentina in a good spot when they face Austria on June 22, while the Desert Warriors will hope to bounce back against Jordan on June 23.
France 3-1 Senegal
Kylian Mbappe’s brace helped France see off a spirited Senegal side in their Group I clash. The match at the MetLife Stadium saw minimal chances in the opening half, but the African side would believe they should have been ahead. Nicolas Jackson had a low shot hit the post, and Crystal Palace attacker Ismaila Sarr missed the target from close.
Les Bleus were laboured for most part, but that changed in the second half. They were denied a penalty when Mbappe was brought down in the box, but the Real Madrid striker was not going to be denied. A low strike across goal from him put the 2022 World Cup finalists ahead in the 66th minute. Jackson thought he equalized for the Lions of Teranga, but his goal was ruled out for offside.
Bradley Barcola then chipped a finish over Edouard Mendy eight minutes from time to put the European side in command. With the game petering out, a quality finish from a tight angle by Senegal’s 18-year-old Ibrahim Mbaye deep into stoppage time sparked hopes of an unlikely comeback.
However, seconds later, Mbappe scored his second, a stunning long-range strike to put the game to bed and become France’s all-time leading goalscorer. Didier Deschamps’s side will play Iraq next on 22 June, and Senegal will take on Norway on 23 June.
Norway 4-1 Iraq
Erling Haaland made an impressive World Cup debut as Norway fended off Iraq’s challenge in their Group I clash. Before the game, much had been said about whether Haaland could do it on the big stage after a prolific run with Manchester City and his country during the qualifiers.
The 25-year-old answered those doubts in some style at the Gillette Stadium. Iraq, making a first World Cup appearance in 40 years, didn’t appear to be fazed by the occasion. They saw a couple of chances pass them by and were made to regret their lack of a cutting edge when Haaland poked home a low ball from David Moller Wolfe in the 29th minute.
The Lions of Mesopotamia were level on terms 10 minutes later as Aymen Hussein headed in from Amir Al-Ammari’s cross. But parity lasted only four minutes. Haaland made a relentless charge down Iraq goalkeeper Jalal Hassan and forced him to deflect the clearance into the back of his net.
Still, the Asian side ended the half strongly. Ibrahim Bayesh saw his volley blocked, Ali Al-Hamadi couldn’t get away from Kristoffer Ajer in the box, and Akam Hashim saw his shot narrowly miss the target.
In the second half, Landslaget played a more settled game. Leo Ostigard scored a header to put his side clear in the 76th minute, and a stoppage time own goal from Aymen Hussein sealed the three points for Norway.
With Haaland leading the charge, Norway will head into their match against Senegal on June 23 brimming with confidence while Iraq face an uphill task against France on June 22.
Austria 3-1 Jordan
Austria recorded a 3-1 win over a battling Jordan side, who made their World Cup debut in the Group J clash. Ralf Rangnick’s side took the lead in the 21st minute after a thunderous strike from Romano Schmid. Ali Olwan almost brought his side level only to see his header come off the crossbar.
But Olwan would have his and his nation’s first ever World Cup goal after running across the pitch to put a curled finish past Alexander Schlager five minutes into the second half.
With both teams huffing an puffing, a corner for Austria saw Yazan Al Arab inadvertently flicking the ball from his back into his own net in the 76th minute. Veteran Marko Arnautovic then scored from the spot in stoppage time following a handball from Saleem Obaid. With this win, Austria made a perfect start, winning their first World Cup game since 1990.
Rangnick’s men will next face defending champions Argentina on June 22 while Jordan and Algeria square off on June 23.
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