Mbappé Chases Messi’s Record as France Beat Iraq to Reach World Cup Last 32

Kylian Mbappe scored twice on his 100th international appearance to move joint-second on the all-time World Cup goalscoring list, as France overcame a near two-hour weather delay to beat Iraq 3-0 and secure their place in the Round of 32. The match at Philadelphia Stadium became the first at the 2026 World Cup to be interrupted by severe weather, with lightning strikes forcing an unprecedented halftime suspension that lasted nearly two hours. When play resumed, Didier Deschamps’ side showed no signs of rust, adding two more goals to confirm their status as one of the tournament’s strongest contenders.

The France captain opened the scoring in the 14th minute with a characteristically clinical finish, arrowing a left-footed strike into the far corner from the edge of the penalty area after a clever pass from Michael Olise. His second, arriving in the 54th minute after the weather interruption, was far simpler. A catastrophic defensive error from Iraq goalkeeper Ahmed Basil — who failed to control a short goal-kick from defender Zaid Tahseen — allowed Ousmane Dembele to steal possession and square for Mbappe to tap into an empty net. That brace took Mbappe’s World Cup career tally to 16 goals in just 16 matches, drawing him level with German icon Miroslav Klose and moving within two of the all-time record set by Lionel Messi just hours earlier. Messi had scored twice for Argentina against Austria to reach 18 World Cup goals, breaking the record Klose had held since 2014.

The match made unwanted history as the first World Cup game interrupted by severe weather. With France leading 1-0 at halftime, a thunderstorm cell moved over Philadelphia Stadium, bringing heavy rain and frequent lightning strikes within eight miles of the venue. FIFA safety protocols forced an immediate suspension of play, with fans directed to shelter in the stadium concourses while players retreated to their dressing rooms. The delay lasted approximately one hour and 50 minutes before match officials deemed conditions safe to resume. France manager Didier Deschamps described the interruption as “emotionally and mentally draining” for his squad. During the extended break, his players kept warm with light cycling exercises, while the coach later joked they “played cards” to pass the time. Iraq boss Graham Arnold took a more analytical approach, reviewing first-half footage with his players to identify tactical adjustments. Ground staff worked tirelessly to clear standing water from the pitch, and the second half finally kicked off around 8:00 PM local time — more than two hours after the first period had ended. The weather stoppage also led officials to cancel the scheduled second-half hydration break, with only two minutes of added time played.

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France’s third goal arrived in the 66th minute through Ousmane Dembele, who scored his first-ever goal for France at a major tournament in his 20th appearance. The finish — a composed strike into the bottom corner — was set up by a brilliant outside-of-the-foot pass from Olise, who continued his outstanding creative performance. Les Bleus had chances to extend their advantage further. Adrien Rabiot missed a clear header from close range, while Olise struck the crossbar with an audacious dink over the advancing goalkeeper. In the closing stages, Mbappe raced clear on goal and appeared destined to complete his hat-trick, but he blazed a left-footed effort high and wide.

Despite the defeat, Iraq showed resilience in the final 20 minutes. Defender Rebin Sulaka volleyed over from Zidane Iqbal’s corner, while Ali Al Hamadi narrowly failed to connect with a teasing cross from Marko Farji. However, the result leaves Iraq bottom of Group I with zero points after two matches, confirming their elimination from the tournament. The Asian side had also lost their opening fixture and now have no mathematical path to the knockout stage.

The victory gives France a perfect six points from two matches, with Norway also on six points following their win over Senegal. Both teams have officially secured qualification for the World Cup Round of 32 with one group game still to play. France, who reached the final in both 2018 and 2022, are now bidding to become the first nation to reach three consecutive World Cup finals since Brazil achieved the feat between 1994 and 2002. Their final Group I fixture against Norway on June 26 will decide top spot, but both sides are already through.

Mbappe’s pursuit of history remains one of the tournament’s defining storylines. With 16 goals in 16 World Cup matches, the French superstar is averaging one goal per game at the sport’s biggest tournament. At just 27 years old, he has the opportunity to challenge Messi’s record of 18 in future World Cups, making every France match a potential history-making occasion. France’s depth was also on full display in Philadelphia. Even without several key players, Deschamps’ squad demonstrated remarkable composure through an unprecedented interruption, highlighting the team’s mental toughness and tournament pedigree. The weather delay itself may also have broader implications for the tournament moving forward. This marks the first weather stoppage of the 2026 World Cup, raising questions about contingency planning at other stadiums across North America as the continent enters peak thunderstorm season.

Mbappé Chases Messi’s Record as France Beat Iraq to Reach World Cup Last 32

“Unreal”: Bangladesh Explodes as Messi Shatters World Cup Record – VIDEO

• Tens of thousands storm university campuses and streets across Dhaka at 7 a.m. to celebrate Argentina’s 3-0 victory and Messi’s historic hat-trick, 17,000 kilometers from the stadium.

Bangladesh, a nation with a population of over 177 million and a deep, almost inexplicable love for Argentina, has once again demonstrated why it might just be the most passionate football country on Earth. As Lionel Messi scored a historic hat-trick against Algeria in the World Cup 2026 opening match, tens of thousands of fans poured into the streets and universities of Dhaka, celebrating as if Argentina was playing in their own backyard. The scenes, which quickly went viral across social media, showed a sea of sky-blue-and-white flags and Argentina jerseys flooding the capital. The epicenter of the celebration was the Daffodil International University (DIU) in Dhaka, where the student center organized a public viewing on a giant screen starting at 7:00 a.m. local time. Despite the early morning hour, the venue was packed with over 2,000 young fans who had stayed awake all night or woken up early to support the Albiceleste.

The atmosphere was electric. Every touch of the ball by the Argentine captain was met with cheers, but the real explosion came when Messi scored his hat-trick—the first of his World Cup career. The achievement also moved him level with Miroslav Klose as the all-time top scorer in World Cup history, a feat that sent the crowd into absolute delirium. “I had a feeling Messi would probably score once, but I never imagined he would produce a hat-trick in the very first game,” one fan recounted, capturing the collective astonishment of millions. Videos show that when the third goal went in, dozens of fans invaded the stage set up for the event, overwhelmed by emotion, waving Argentine flags and chanting “Messi, Messi!” The impact was so significant that a local television anchor came on air wearing an Argentina shirt, showing that the fever had even hit the newsrooms.

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The connection between Bangladesh and Argentina is a unique cultural phenomenon that has puzzled and fascinated the football world for decades. According to estimates, over 70 million people in Bangladesh supported Argentina in the 2022 World Cup—more than the entire population of Argentina itself. This love affair is not merely about winning. It has deep historical roots tracing back to the 1986 World Cup. When Diego Maradona scored the “Hand of God” goal against England, many in Bangladesh—a former British colony that endured a brutal independence war in 1971—saw it as a symbolic victory for the underdog against a former colonial power. Maradona became “a hero for the weak to adore,” a sentiment that has been seamlessly transferred to Messi.

For the younger generation in Bangladesh, the man named Messi is the “GOAT” —a source of motivation and inspiration. One commentator noted that “at nearly 40, Messi continues to accept challenges… He inspires us, he encourages us.” This admiration translates into massive public displays of support, including the construction of a 10-meter-tall replica of an Argentina jersey, dubbed “The Symbol of Craziness,” hung between two buildings in Dhaka.

The joy was not confined to the university campus. Across Dhaka, thousands took to the streets in massive motorcycle processions. Honking horns, blaring trumpets, and the sound of firecrackers filled the air as fans celebrated deep into the night. The passion extended beyond Bangladesh into neighboring India and Pakistan, where similar mass gatherings and watch parties were organized, proving that the love for Messi and Argentina crosses all borders in South Asia.

Hundreds of fans in Bangladesh celebrated Messi breaking the all-time World Cup record, storming the streets on motorcycles. This passion is unreal 😳 pic.twitter.com/rXInf2alsO

— Cleverly 💐 (@Cleverlydey4u) June 22, 2026

“Unreal”: Bangladesh Explodes as Messi Shatters World Cup Record – VIDEO

Messi Breaks World Cup Goals Record as Argentina Captain Makes Football History

Lionel Messi has once again rewritten football history, becoming the all-time leading goalscorer in men’s FIFA World Cup history after finding the net in Argentina’s Group J clash against Austria at the 2026 World Cup.

The 38-year-old superstar scored his 17th World Cup goal, surpassing the previous record of 16 held by Germany legend Miroslav Klose and further cementing his status as one of the greatest players the game has ever seen.

Messi produced a trademark moment of brilliance, curling a left-footed effort into the net to hand Argentina an early advantage despite having missed a penalty earlier in the match. The goal sparked celebrations among thousands of Argentine supporters and marked another unforgettable milestone in a career already filled with historic achievements.

The strike came just days after Messi scored a hat-trick in Argentina’s opening group-stage victory over Algeria, underlining his exceptional form as the reigning world champions continue their defence of the FIFA World Cup title.

With his latest goal, the Inter Miami forward has now scored in six consecutive World Cup matches, becoming only the third player in history to achieve the feat after France’s Just Fontaine and Brazil’s Jairzinho. No player has ever found the net in seven successive World Cup matches, leaving Messi with another record within reach.

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The Argentina captain is also closing in on yet another landmark achievement. According to Opta statistics, he needs just one more assist to become the outright leader in World Cup assists since records began in 1966. Messi currently shares the record with Argentine legend Diego Maradona, highlighting his influence not only as a goalscorer but also as one of the tournament’s greatest creators.

The latest accomplishment adds to an extraordinary list of World Cup records already held by Messi, including the most appearances by any player in the competition and becoming the first footballer to feature in six FIFA World Cup tournaments.

Despite the emergence of a new generation of global stars such as Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland and Vinícius Júnior, Messi continues to dominate the biggest stage in international football. His leadership and consistent brilliance have kept Argentina among the favourites to retain the World Cup trophy.

Head coach Lionel Scaloni has repeatedly praised his captain’s remarkable longevity and influence, describing Messi’s performances as extraordinary but no longer surprising given the standards he has maintained throughout his illustrious career.

Argentina will now turn their attention to their final Group J fixture against Jordan, where Messi could extend his all-time scoring record and become the first player ever to score in seven consecutive World Cup matches.

As the 2026 FIFA World Cup progresses, the legendary forward continues to redefine greatness, proving that age is no barrier to excellence and adding another iconic chapter to one of football’s most celebrated careers.

Messi Breaks World Cup Goals Record as Argentina Captain Makes Football History