The 2026 World Cup began with a spectacular display from three of football's biggest stars: Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, and Erling Haaland. Messi, playing for Argentina against Algeria, notched his first-ever World Cup hat-trick, leading his team to a 3-0 victory. This achievement, at the age of 38, tied him with Germany's Miroslav Klose for the all-time Men's World Cup scoring record with 16 goals across six tournaments. Messi's performance seemingly dispelled any concerns about a recent hamstring injury and marked his 200th international career appearance. He is now only the second player to score in five World Cups, joining Cristiano Ronaldo.
Kylian Mbappé, representing France, also had a sensational start, scoring two goals in France's 3-1 win over Senegal. These two goals brought his World Cup tally to 14, placing him in a tie for fourth all-time and making him France's leading scorer in World Cup history. Mbappé's second goal, a powerful strike from 30 meters, sealed the victory after Senegal had briefly narrowed the lead. His performance demonstrated why he is considered a global icon, capable of turning games.
Erling Haaland, making his World Cup debut for Norway, contributed two goals in a 4-1 triumph over Iraq. While he doesn't have the extensive World Cup history of Messi or Mbappé, his brace announced his arrival on the global stage with a clear message of intent. These three players' opening game heroics set a high bar for the tournament, showcasing individual brilliance that delighted fans and rewrote several record books on a memorable Tuesday.
