The 2026 World Cup is only 10 days old but the tournament has already rewritten football history. Lionel Messi's stunning hat-trick in Argentina's 3-0 win over Algeria moved the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner level with Miroslav Klose at the top of the all-time World Cup scoring charts, both on 16 goals. Messi needed 27 games – three more than Klose – to reach the mark, but the 2022 World Cup winner won't care. Next up for Argentina in Group J are Austria, and the world waits to see if a new record is set.
Harry Kane is writing his own history. England's skipper scored twice in the 4-2 win over Croatia in Dallas, drawing level with Gary Lineker as England's all-time leading scorer at World Cup finals on 10 goals. The match also marked Kane's 115th England appearance, moving him level with David Beckham among the country's most-capped players, and made him only the second England player – after Beckham – to score at three different World Cups. With Ghana to come on Tuesday night, Kane may soon stand alone.
“Messi equals Klose's 16-goal record; Kane draws level with Lineker; Portugal still winless.”
Kylian Mbappe, meanwhile, now has 14 World Cup goals and is France's all-time leading scorer with 58. The 2022 Golden Boot winner (eight goals) faces fierce competition from Kane (2018 winner with six) for the 2026 prize. Germany's Denis Undav and Canada's Jonathan Dav…
Yet while these superstars shine, pre-tournament favourites Portugal are still searching for their first win. Cristiano Ronaldo, aiming to extend his World Cup legacy, leads a side that faces Uzbekistan next. The record-breakers press on; the favourites must catch up.