The 2026 World Cup is barely a week old, and already the record books are getting a workout. But while two of the game’s biggest stars are racing toward immortality, a third is stuck in neutral — and the contrast couldn’t be sharper.
Messi and Mbappe Set the Pace
Lionel Messi opened his tournament with a hat trick against Algeria, a 3-0 win that pulled him level with Miroslav Klose’s all-time World Cup scoring record of 16 goals. It was the first hat trick of his World Cup career — at age 38, no less — and it came on a night when Argentina looked every bit the defending champions.
Not to be outdone, Kylian Mbappe scored twice in France’s 3-1 win over Senegal. That brace made him the first player in World Cup history to score multiple goals in five different matches. It also pushed him past Olivier Giroud as France’s all-time leading scorer, and brought him within two goals of Klose’s mark.
Both players are now locked in what could become a historic Golden Boot battle. But the tournament’s opening days also delivered a harsh reminder that not every legend gets a dream start.
Ronaldo’s Lonely Afternoon
Portugal’s Group K opener against DR Congo was supposed to be Cristiano Ronaldo’s stage. Instead, it turned into a lesson in how to neutralize a superstar. Congo, making its World Cup debut, held Portugal to a 1-1 draw — and made the 41-year-old Ronaldo look like an afterthought.
According to match reports, Ronaldo finished with just two shots, neither on target, and spent long stretches isolated in the box with little service. The Congolese defense, disciplined and physical, gave him no room to operate. Fans online noted that Ronaldo looked increasingly frustrated as the game wore on, cutting a figure more associated with his final seasons at Manchester United than with a World Cup contender.
Portugal coach Roberto Martinez has not publicly criticized his captain, but the team’s lack of creativity was glaring. After Messi’s hat trick in Kansas City, the pressure on Ronaldo to respond was immense — and he couldn’t deliver.
Spain Stumbles Against a Debutant
Spain entered the tournament as betting favorites, riding the momentum of a dominant Euro 2024 title run. But their opening match against Cape Verde — another team making its World Cup debut — ended in a 0-0 draw that left the Spanish media fuming.
Manager Luis de la Fuente started the match without wingers Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams, both held out for what the team has not confirmed as injury-related reasons. Without their pace and creativity, Spain looked flat. Cape Verde, organized and fearless, held on for a result that could reshape Group H.
Midfielder Mikel Merino told reporters, via The Guardian, that the team needs to “swallow the disappointment” and recover quickly. Spain now faces a must-win against Saudi Arabia. Expect Yamal and Williams back in the lineup.
What to Watch on Matchday Two
The Czech Republic, losers of their opener, face South Africa in a game they cannot afford to drop. Switzerland and Bosnia & Herzegovina meet in a Group B showdown after both drew their first matches. The margin for error is shrinking fast, and for a few heavyweights, the alarm bells are already ringing.
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