World Cup Nights: Messi becomes the World Cup's all-time top scorer, Salah's Egypt make history
A legendary day at the World Cup. In Dallas, Lionel Messi downed Austria with a brace (2-0) to become the all-time leading goalscorer in World Cup history, overtaking Miroslav Klose. In Vancouver, Salah-inspired Egypt came from behind to beat New Zealand 3-1 for the first World Cup win in their history, 92 years after their debut. The night was rounded off by a revitalised Spain's 4-0 over Saudi Arabia, fairytale Cape Verde's 2-2 with Uruguay, and a heroic ten-man Iran's 0-0 against Belgium. Later tonight and overnight come France-Iraq, Norway-Senegal and Jordan-Algeria, with Mbappe and Haaland in action.
At Arlington's AT&T Stadium, near Dallas, Lionel Messi claimed a slice of eternity. La Pulga floored Austria with a brace — the first a delightful left-foot finish on 39' — and Argentina won 2-0 to lock up top spot in Group J. But the headline number is another: with these goals Messi moves to 18 career World Cup goals, overtaking Miroslav Klose (16) to become the competition's all-time leading scorer. The Argentina captain now has five goals in this tournament alone, after his opening hat-trick against Algeria, and his strike against Austria also made him just the third player to score in six consecutive World Cup games, after Just Fontaine and Jairzinho. A long-anticipated record, finally his, in what may be his last World Cup.
If Messi rewrote the records, Egypt rewrote their own history. At Vancouver's BC Place, the Pharaohs came from behind to beat New Zealand 3-1: the first World Cup win in Egypt's history, 92 years and 25 days after their 1934 debut. New Zealand started brightly and led on 15' through a Finn Surman header from a set piece, but the second half belonged to Mohamed Salah. Mostafa Zico equalised on 58' from a Mohamed Hany cross, then on 67' Salah completed the turnaround with a clinical left-foot finish into the corner, and on 82' Trezeguet wrapped it up with his head from a corner taken by the number 10 himself. Salah and Zico each finished with a goal and an assist, and Egypt move to the top of Group G on four points.
It was a rich night in Group H too. In Atlanta, Spain were smiling again: Luis de la Fuente restored Lamine Yamal to the starting XI and La Roja rediscovered their flow, sweeping Saudi Arabia aside 4-0. Yamal opened the scoring on 10', turning in a delightful Mikel Oyarzabal cross, before Oyarzabal struck a quick brace (21' and 24'); on 49', a Hassan Al Tambakti own goal — forced by Marc Cucurella's pressure — made it four, Spain's first win of this World Cup. In Miami, meanwhile, the Cape Verde fairytale rolled on: in only the second World Cup match in their history, the Atlantic archipelago held Marcelo Bielsa's Uruguay to a 2-2 draw. Kevin Pina put them ahead on 21' with a free kick from distance — Cape Verde's first-ever World Cup goal — Uruguay turned it around through Maxi Araujo on 44' and Agustin Canobbio in first-half stoppage time (45'+6'), but on 61' Helio Varela pounced on a Muslera error to make it 2-2 with his first international goal. Cape Verde move to two points and dare to dream of the knockouts.
The night also produced a small masterpiece of resistance. At Los Angeles' SoFi Stadium, Iran earned a 0-0 against Belgium despite playing with ten men from the 66th minute, when Nathan Ngoy hauled down a clean-through Mehdi Taremi and was sent off. Keeping Iran afloat was a magnificent Alireza Beiranvand, who pulled off several decisive saves, one almost on his own line from a Kevin De Bruyne cross. In Group G, where the first three matches had all ended level, Belgium and Iran remain tied on two points. Afterwards, Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei savoured the feat: 'We came into the World Cup under the worst possible conditions, and still we got a result against a great team. We played a beautiful game.' Iran — shuttling from their Tijuana base through complicated flights and visas — face Egypt on Friday in Seattle, chasing the first knockout berth in their history.
The World Cup does not stop: later tonight and into the early hours Italian time, points are still up for grabs in Groups I and J. At 11pm in Philadelphia, Kylian Mbappe's France face the Iraq of former Australia boss Graham Arnold, who joked on the eve about fielding three goalkeepers just to stop the French star. At 2am Italian time, at MetLife, Erling Haaland's Norway take on Senegal (Group I); at 5am, in Santa Clara, Jordan-Algeria closes the night in Group J. France and Norway are looking to pull clear towards the knockouts.
On we go, one night at a time. See you tomorrow at dawn.
Highlights
In Italy, full matches are on RaiPlay.
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