The 2026 World Cup properly exploded into life on a mesmerising day six, which saw three of the tournament’s main protagonists – Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland, and Lionel Messi – light up the tournament in spectacular style.
In a remarkable sequence of matches, Mbappe struck twice to fire France to victory, before Haaland bagged a brace of his own for Norway, only for Messi to stroll along and score a stunning hat-trick for Argentina.
With goals, records, and a sprinkling of individual magic on show throughout an unforgettable day, here are the standout statistics from day six.
READ: World Cup 2026 stats and records you might see on Day 7
Stats you might have missed
Messi magic 1
Where on earth do we start with Lionel Messi’s outrageous record-breaking display against Algeria?
The game’s all-time greatest ever player notched himself a stunning hat-trick in Argentina’s 3-0 victory in Kansas City, which more than sent a statement of intent across the tournament that the holders – and Messi – mean business as they attempt to become the first country to retain the glistening gold trophy since Brazil in 1962.
In the process, Messi became the oldest player to score a World Cup hat-trick at 38 years and 357 days old, breaking the record previously held by Cristiano Ronaldo (33 years and 130 days) for Portugal against Spain at the 2018 World Cup.
Meanwhile, he’s the oldest player to score multiple goals in a game since Roger Milla back in 1990.
READ: Records tumble as Lionel Messi responds to Mbappe and Haaland
Messi magic 2
Messi’s sensational hat-trick saw him draw level with Miroslav Klose’s World Cup record of 16 goals, a tally the Argentine will now surely surpass in North America.
Up next he faces Austria at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington on Monday, then Jordan at the same stadium on Sunday 28th June, which give him two excellent opportunities.
Messi may not only set a new scoring record imminently, but could smash it to pieces.
Messi magic 3
Two of Messi’s three goals against Algeria were scored from outside of the box, meaning he’s equalled the World Cup record for goals outside the box of five, alongside Brazilian Rivellino, who had held the record outright since 1966.
Messi magic 4
Messi created history by just stepping onto the field of play in Argentina’s win over Algeria as he became the first ever player to play in six different editions of the World Cup – Ronaldo will join him on six shortly – on what was his 200th appearance for Argentina.
Messi also extended his own record of most appearances at a World Cup, enhancing his overall match tally to 27, which he’s sure to increase even further as he stacks up the games at this tournament.
Mbappe eclipses Giroud
Earlier in the day, Kylian Mbappe sparkled for France as he scored a brilliant brace in their 3-1 victory over Senegal, which saw him equal and then surpass Olivier Giroud’s France record of 57 goals.
Mbappe, now on 58 goals for his country, has oceans of time ahead of him to propel that new record to almost uncatchable heights.
READ: Les Bleus put on second-half show as Mbappe breaks goalscoring record
Mbappe eclipses Fontaine
In scoring two goals against Senegal, Mbappe (14 goals) also eclipsed Just Fontain (13) as France’s all time scorer at World Cups.
Mbappe now finds himself joint fourth on the all-time list with 14 goals, level with Germany’s Gerd Muller. He’s only one goal behind Brazilian Ronaldo (15) and two adrift of the joint record held by Klose and Messi.
Olise at your service
Mbappe wasn’t the only France player to shine in the Senegal win as the assist king himself, Michael Olise, set-up yet another goal – Mbappe’s first – to increase his tally to a whopping 28 assists for France and Bayern Munich this season.
It probably goes without saying that this figure is more than any other player in Europe’s top five leagues.
Mbaye makes history
Senegal put in a decent performance against France and can take confidence from their display despite the defeat.
One player in particular who will remember the game fondly is their youngster Ibrahim Mbaye who, at 18 years and 143 days, became the youngest ever African goalscorer at a World Cup.
Halaand’s dream debut
Erling Haaland loves a debut. After scoring 2+ goals in his first appearances in the Bundesliga, Premier League, and Champions League, he then proceeded to bag a brace for Norway on his maiden game at the World Cup as they ran out 4-1 winners over Iraq.
Funnily enough, Haaland became the first player to score 2+ goals on their World Cup debut since Elijah Just for New Zealand on Monday. Just was previously the first player to score 2+ goals on their World Cup debut since Yasin Ayari for Sweden on Sunday. Ayari was the first player to score 2+ goals on their World Cup debut since Folarin Balogun on Friday!
READ: Erling Haaland announces himself at World Cup
Haaland’s haul
Haaland has subsequently fired his national tally to an eye-watering 57 goals in 51 games, while he now has an outrageous 25 goal contributions in his last 11 competitive games for his country (22 goals & 3 assists).
Plus, Norway are enjoying a 15 match winning streak when he finds the back of the net. Good luck Senegal on Tuesday!
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