Day 12 Results — June 22, 2026
Lionel Messi rewrote football history on Monday, scoring twice against Austria to become the all-time leading scorer in FIFA World Cup history with 18 goals — surpassing both Miroslav Klose's men's record (16) and Marta's outright record (17). It was a Day 12 that also featured France advancing to the Round of 32 with a composed 3-0 win over Iraq and Norway surviving an Ismaïla Sarr scare to beat Senegal 3-2.
Group I — Match Results
France were dominant from the opening whistle at their Group I venue. Kylian Mbappé opened the scoring in the 14th minute with a trademark left-footed drive from outside the box after being found by Michael Olise. The match was briefly suspended for over two hours due to a severe electrical storm in the area, but Les Bleus picked up exactly where they had left off once play resumed. Mbappé added his second after a botched Iraqi goal-kick fell to Oussama Dembélé, who squared for Mbappé to slot home. Dembélé then claimed a goal of his own — his first of the tournament — to complete a convincing 3-0 scoreline. The result confirms France's place in the Round of 32. Mbappé now has 16 career World Cup goals, matching Miroslav Klose for second place in the men's all-time list.
This was the thriller of the day — at least until Messi's record-breaking heroics arrived. Marcus Pedersen gave Norway the lead just before half-time in the 44th minute, and Erling Haaland doubled the advantage three minutes into the second half (48′). Senegal hit back through Ismaïla Sarr in the 53rd minute, but Haaland restored Norway's two-goal cushion with a clinical finish at the 58-minute mark. At 3-1, Norway looked home and dry, but Sarr refused to accept defeat, heading home deep in stoppage time (90+3′) to make it 3-2 and provide a nervy finale. Norway held on. Haaland's brace now puts him joint-second in the Golden Boot race alongside Mbappé. Both men have their eyes on Messi, who stands alone at the top. Norway, like France, are through to the knockout rounds.
Group J — Match Results
This was the game the world stopped for. Lionel Messi entered the evening on 16 World Cup goals — level with Klose's men's record. He will leave it as the greatest World Cup scorer of all time, across all genders, in the history of the tournament. The moment wasn't without drama: Messi was handed a gift in the 9th minute when Argentina were awarded a penalty, but he struck the post and squandered the chance. The record would have to wait. It didn't wait long. In the 38th minute, with Argentina attacking down the left flank, the ball was cut back to Messi on the edge of the area and he curled a precise shot into the far corner. Goal number 17. The outright all-time World Cup record was now his, surpassing Marta's 17. The MetLife crowd erupted.
Austria threw everything at Argentina in the second half searching for an equaliser, but the Albiceleste's defensive organisation held firm. Then, in the 90th minute plus five, with the match already won in all but scoreline, Messi added his 18th career World Cup goal. Scenes of joy swept through the stadium. Argentina are through to the Round of 32. Messi — at his sixth World Cup — stands alone in the history books. He now has goals in six consecutive World Cup matches, only the third player ever to achieve that feat.
In the day's other Group J fixture, Jordan took a surprise lead in the first half through Nizar Al-Rashdan's well-taken strike, and the Desert Warriors of Algeria found themselves up against it. The comeback began in the 68th minute when Nadhir Benbouali headed home from a Riyad Mahrez corner to level the scores. Algeria pressed for more, and Amine Gouiri nodded in a second header from another corner in the 82nd minute to give the Desert Warriors all three points. Jordan become the first team in Group J to be eliminated. Algeria remain in contention for the knockout round.
What It Means — Standings Update
Group I has seen both France and Norway qualify for the Round of 32 with two wins each (6 points). The final match day in Group I will determine the order of finishing. Senegal (3 points) and Iraq (0 points) will meet in a dead-rubber for Senegal, who are eliminated on goal difference in the worst case, or could mathematically still progress depending on results. Iraq face an exit.
| Team | PJ | G | E | P | GF | GC | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| France ✓ | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6+ | 0 | 6 |
| Norway ✓ | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6+ | 4 | 6 |
| Senegal | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2+ | 4 | 1 |
| Iraq | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 6+ | 0 |
Group J is led by Argentina, who are through with 6 points. Algeria (3 points) remain in contention and will play Argentina in the final match day, while Austria (with points from their Matchday 1 win) will need a result to stay alive. Jordan are eliminated after two defeats.
| Team | PJ | G | E | P | GF | GC | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Argentina ✓ | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5+ | 0 | 6 |
| Algeria | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3+ | 3 |
| Austria | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| Jordan | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 0 |
Today's Upcoming Matches — June 23, 2026
Day 13 features four Group Stage matches across Groups K and L, with two enormous games involving Portugal and England:
- Portugal vs Uzbekistan — 17:00 UTC / 1:00 PM ET — NRG Stadium, Houston — Group K
- England vs Ghana — 20:00 UTC / 4:00 PM ET — Gillette Stadium, Boston — Group L
- Panama vs Croatia — 23:00 UTC / 7:00 PM ET — BMO Field, Toronto — Group L
- Colombia vs DR Congo — 02:00 UTC (June 24) / 10:00 PM ET — Estadio Akron, Guadalajara — Group K
Cristiano Ronaldo faces Uzbekistan in what could be his last ever World Cup group stage match. Harry Kane, who already matched Gary Lineker's England WC record last week, is just one goal away from owning it outright.
Frequently Asked Questions
Lionel Messi has 18 FIFA World Cup goals across six tournaments (2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022, 2026). His brace against Austria on June 22, 2026 gave him the outright all-time record, surpassing Miroslav Klose's men's record of 16 and Marta's overall record of 17.
France (Group I), Norway (Group I) and Argentina (Group J) all secured their Round of 32 berths on June 22, 2026 with their second consecutive group stage victories.
Lionel Messi leads the 2026 FIFA World Cup Golden Boot race with 5 goals. Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappé are joint-second with 4 goals each. Mbappé also moved to 16 career World Cup goals, tying Miroslav Klose for second in the all-time men's list.
France defeated Iraq 3-0 on June 22, 2026. The match was suspended for over two hours due to a severe electrical storm. Mbappé scored twice, with his first goal coming in the 14th minute, and Oussama Dembélé added the third goal — his first of the tournament.
Yes. Erling Haaland scored twice in Norway's 3-2 win over Senegal — in the 48th and 58th minutes. Marcus Pedersen also scored (44′). Ismaïla Sarr scored both of Senegal's goals (53′ and 90+3′) but it was not enough to prevent Norway's victory.