Lionel Messi stands alone... unless Kylian Mbappé has something to say about it.
The best goal-scorers in world football took the stage on Monday in what turned out to be a historic day at the World Cup.
The little boy from Rosario got the party started, netting a brace as Argentina beat Austria 2-0 and surpassed Miroslav Klose's all-time scoring mark, further cementing his status as the greatest to ever lace up a pair of cleats
But Mbappé looks like the player primed to one day snatch that goal-scoring title from Messi, maybe sooner rather than later — well, maybe a bit later, considering the delay in Philadelphia due to severe thunderstorms — as he cut into the lead with another two-goal showing as France beat Iraq 3-0.
Not to be left out, Erling Haaland continued his raid of North America like his Viking ancestors of eons past, scoring another brace as Norway won a crucial Group I game against Senegal.
Later on in the night, Algeria grabbed a much-needed win against Jordan as it looked to stay alive in Group J.
Here are the big takeaways from Monday's action at the World Cup.
THE RESULTS
GROUP J: Argentina 2, Austria 0 | Match Report | Match Stats
GROUP I: France 3, Iraq 0 | Match Report | Match Stats
GROUP I: Norway 3, Senegal 2 | Match Report | Match Stats
GROUP J: Algeria 2, Jordan 1 | Match Report | Match Stats
THE BIG TAKEAWAYS
Messi showing no signs of slowing down
In the early portion of his career, though accolades followed him wherever he went in a Barcelona kit, Lionel Messi looked like a different player once he donned the baby blue and white of Argentina.
Through his first four World Cups, Messi had only six goals in 19 games. He fell short of trophies, losing in the quarterfinal in 2010 (a 4-0 rout against Germany), the final in 2014 (a 1-0 loss to Germany) and 2018 (a 4-3 loss to France). Those defeats weren't reserved for the World finals, as he lost Copa America finals in 2007, 2015 and 2016.
That last loss pushed Messi to the edge, telling reporters after the defeat to Chile that he was done with international soccer. The people of Argentina didn't let that slide, as a nationwide campaign pushed him to come back for the 2018 World Cup.
In 2021, Messi gave all that love back to his country, winning Argentina's 15th Copa America, and he followed it up at the Qatar World Cup in 2022, sinking to his knees as Gonzalo Montiel sank the decisive penalty against France.
Today, at 38 years old, Messi can stand tall, immortal, knowing he's completed soccer, that there's nothing left to accomplish for the greatest to ever play the sport. He sits atop the all-time scoring table, has scored all five of Argentina's goals through two games, and holds countless soccer records.
Conversations about his early international career are in vain — to accomplish what he has since turning 35 is unlike anything the sport has ever seen. According to Opta, 24 per cent of the goals scored at the World Cup by players aged 35 or older have been netted by Messi.
There will never be another.
Mbappé shining at yet another World Cup
Maybe it's an overreaction considering he did it against Iraq, the 60th-ranked country in FIFA's men's rankings, but his body of work, game after game, tells the story. Messi is undeniably the greatest of this generation, but there may not be a better World Cup-riser than Mbappé.
Amidst all the drama and turmoil in his second year at Real Madrid, fans may have forgotten just how gifted the 27-year-old is.
In his 100th cap for Les Bleus, Mbappé reached the 60-goal mark and built up his World Cup tally to 16, tying Klose. Had Messi not broken the record today, the only name on the tip of anyone's tongue would be Mbappé's.
He opened the scoring in the 14th minute, firing a rocket left-footed strike from outside the box, across the net and in, leaving Madrid fans salivating at the prospect of getting someone like Michael Olise to supply their striker with chances (keep dreaming).
Not even the elements could stop him, as when the game resumed after a two-hour delay, the Frenchman got right back on the scoresheet, capitalizing on a huge mistake by Iraq on a misplaced pass to the keeper.
Past Mbappé recapturing his World Cup form, France looked to be in lockstep, as reigning Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembele finally got on the scoresheet with a goal and an assist, and the embarrassment of riches available upfront began to really click.
It took too long to get Haaland to the World Cup
Anyone who predicted Norway to be one of the dark horse contenders, well done. This team has proven they belong following an impressive win over Senegal, one of the top teams in Africa and the 19th-ranked team in the world.
Though Norway has done well announcing itself, its superstar up top shouldn't need any sort of introduction.
One of the best strikers in the world, with 112 goals in 132 appearances for Manchester City, all Haaland has needed was the right stage. He finally got it at the World Cup, and he's made the most of it.
A freak of nature, capable of outrunning most defenders despite his massive six-foot-five frame of pure Viking muscle, all Haaland needs is a single touch to turn the game on its head.
After debuting with a brace against Iraq last week, he decided to do it again, opening his account in the 48th minute on a terrifying counter, leaving Kalidou Koulibaly in the dust and rocketing a shot home off what looked like the slightest touch with his left foot.
He went on to score the winner 10 minutes later, showing off his body control to redirect a shot with his right past Édouard Mendy.
Though Senegal fought back, with Ismaila Sarr netting a brace of his own in the dying embers, Norway held on and booked its ticket to the knockout round. All that's left to play for now is seeding. A showdown against France looms.
GOAL OF THE DAY
Could it be anything other than Messi's record breaker? How he manages to find space is beyond comprehension, ghosting his way to pockets in the final third. The almost-39-year-old did just that for his 17th World Cup goal, sinking into the open space at the top of the box as a trailing runner and rocketing home a left-footed strike into the bottom corner. History.
STAT OF THE DAY
Look away, Ronaldo fans.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
At the end of the day, Messi is essentially 60-something years old in soccer years. Let the man get some rest!
FAN(S) OF THE DAY
Leif Erikson would be proud.
THREE STARS OF THE DAY
1. Lionel Messi (Argentina): We've spoken a bunch already about his goals, so here's just a tip of the hat to Messi's understanding of how to conserve energy and work off-ball. He doesn't always have to run, doesn't have to always press, but like an older quarterback, his understanding of the game has proven to be on another level this World Cup.
2. Kylian Mbappé (France): Beyond just his two goals, Mbappé instilled the fear of god into the Iraqi defence, finishing with 10 touches in the opposing box and moving well in tandem with the rest of the French front four. Often nitpicked for his lack of defensive effort, Mbappe did well in the press, finishing with six recoveries and forcing the Iraq backline into a fair number of mistakes.
3. Erling Haaland (Norway): In 52 games with his national team, Haaland has scored 59 times — 1.13 goals per game. Unheard of stuff. Norway isn't just feeding him perfect balls in the box; he makes the most of every single touch he's able to get in that final third and has an uncanny ability to turn anything into a shot on target.
