SEE IT: Messi’s Historic Hat Trick Steals The Show During Action-Packed Day At The World Cup

Tuesday’s World Cup action may have provided the best day of the young tournament. While all the favorites dominated in expected fashion, the stars of the sport put on brilliant performances, with one even altering the history books.

France’s Kylian Mbappé, Norway’s Erling Haaland, and Argentina’s Lionel Messi all powered their country to strong victories in their opening matches with all scoring at least two goals apiece. However, the legendary Messi one-upped both of the young superstars with a hat trick that lifted his legacy to yet another level.

The moment of the day, and of the tournament so far, came in the reigning World Cup champion Argentina’s first game. In its quest to be the third team ever to win back-to-back tournaments, the first since Brazil in 1958 and 1962, Argentina, led by Messi, put on a show.

One of the greatest players in the history of the sport scored all three goals for Argentina in its 3-0 win over Algeria. Messi, who turns 39 next week, earned his first career World Cup hat trick 20 years after his first-ever World Cup goal. This catapulted him into a tie for first in total goals in World Cup history with Germany’s Miroslav Klose, a record Messi will likely break later in the tournament.

FIFA WORLD CUP HAT TRICK FOR MESSI! ????????

Lionel Messi ties Miroslav Klose for the most goals in Men’s FIFA World Cup history with 16 ???? pic.twitter.com/vw6bl65w7s

— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) June 17, 2026

In the first game on Tuesday, France beat Senegal 3-1. After a surprisingly scoreless first half, the French phenom Mbappé scored the first goal of the match during the 66th minute, putting him at fourth all-time in World Cup goals. At the time, the goal tied him with Messi, who has played in three more tournaments than Mbappé.

Bradley Barcola got on the board for France in the 82nd minute, extending the lead to two goals. In the fifth minute of added time, Senegal was able to get on the board thanks to Ibrahim Mbaye. In a tournament where goal differential can be so important, however, Mbappé scored an amazing second goal to finish the game 3-1, making him the all-time leader in goals for the country.

Absolute GOLAZO from Mbappé! ????????

Kylian Mbappé is now France’s ALL-TIME leading goalscorer pic.twitter.com/5phfectcIY

— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) June 16, 2026

In Norway’s first appearance in the World Cup since 1998, Haaland stole the show. He scored the first two goals of the tournament for his country in a highly anticipated World Cup debut. While Iraq’s Aymen Hussein scored at the 39th minute between the two Norwegian goals, Norway was able to pull away with two goals, including an own goal from Hussein in the sixth minute of stoppage time.

The final match took place at midnight Eastern time, as Austria and Jordan faced off in San Francisco. Austria proved why they were the heavy favorite, winning 3-1 following a penalty kick goal by Marko Arnautovic in the 12th minute of added time in the second half to extend its lead back to two.

Argentina and France proved why they are some of the favorites of the 2026 World Cup, while Norway put its offensive power on display.

More global soccer giants start their World Cup runs Wednesday afternoon.

Portugal takes on the Democratic Republic of Congo in Cristiano Ronaldo’s final chance to win the one trophy he has yet to earn in his illustrious career. England’s quest for its first World Cup in 60 years starts against Croatia.

The final two games of the day feature Ghana taking on Panama, and Colombia, who many see as a “sleeper” team in this year’s World Cup, going up against Uzbekistan.

Only time will tell if Wednesday’s slate of games can live up to the dominance that the stars of soccer put on for fans on Tuesday.