In one extraordinary evening of football, the 2026 World Cup managed to rewrite history twice over. Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick against Algeria to draw level with Miroslav Klose’s long-standing record of 16 World Cup goals — the most ever scored by an individual player. Hours earlier, Kylian Mbappe had briefly moved ahead of the Argentine by netting twice against Senegal, only for Messi to roar back in emphatic fashion. Meanwhile, Germany made their own piece of history with a stunning 7-1 victory over Curacao, surpassing Brazil’s all-time record for goals scored by a single nation across the tournament’s entire history.
Messi equals Klose’s record of 16 World Cup goals with first-ever hat-trick
Lionel Messi’s hat-trick against Algeria was a moment that football history will not forget. The Argentina captain, at 38 years old, became the first player since Klose himself to reach 16 World Cup goals, equalling the German’s record set across four tournaments between 2002 and 2014. Remarkably, this was Messi’s first ever hat-trick at a World Cup — a landmark he had to wait until his fifth tournament to achieve.
The Argentine now shares the record with Klose, who surpassed Ronaldo the Brazilian’s previous mark of 15 goals during the 2014 final. Whether Messi can take the record outright will depend on Argentina’s progress — and crucially, how many more goals Kylian Mbappe can add in the meantime.
Mbappe briefly leads the race before Messi responds in style
The evening had started with Mbappe stealing the headlines. Two goals against Senegal moved the France forward ahead of Messi in the all-time individual standings, giving him a lead that lasted just a matter of hours before Messi’s hat-trick changed everything. BBC Sport report that Mbappe is now the only other player capable of breaking the record in this tournament.
For England fans watching on, this battle between the two modern greats is the 2026 World Cup’s most compelling subplot. Harry Kane — England’s record goalscorer — will be eager to add to his own World Cup tally, but the scale of Messi’s achievement puts the challenge in perspective. Klose’s record looked untouchable not long ago. Now two of the greatest forwards of this generation are chasing it down.
Germany break Brazil’s all-time team goals record with ruthless 7-1 rout
Germany’s demolition of Curacao was as emphatic as the scoreline suggests. Seven goals in 90 minutes, the most impressive attacking performance of the opening round. More significantly, the result allowed Die Mannschaft to surpass Brazil’s record for the most goals ever scored by a single nation throughout the history of the World Cup — a record Brazil had held for decades across their five title-winning campaigns.
England fans will recognise that 7-1 scoreline. It was Germany who inflicted that exact same result on Brazil in the 2014 semi-finals in Belo Horizonte — the infamous Mineirazo that left a nation in tears. This time, instead of a scoreline, it is a long-standing statistical record that changes hands. Germany enter 2026 looking formidable, and the prospect of meeting them in the knockout rounds will sharpen minds across Europe.
Can England or Harry Kane write their own names into World Cup history?
England’s World Cup record goalscorer remains Gary Lineker, who netted six times at the 1986 tournament in Mexico. Harry Kane has been steadily building his World Cup tally across successive tournaments, and a strong run in 2026 could see him add significantly to that count. For Kane to threaten the kind of numbers Messi and Mbappe are posting, England would need to go very deep — which is precisely what Gareth Southgate’s successor will be plotting.
The 2026 World Cup is the first to feature 48 teams, meaning more matches and more opportunities for records to fall at every level. England have never won the World Cup outside of 1966, but this expanded format creates more pathways to the final than ever before. Messi and Mbappe are setting the benchmark. The question for England fans is simple: who from the Three Lions squad will step up to be remembered alongside them?
FAQ
Who holds the record for most goals scored at a World Cup?
Germany’s Miroslav Klose held the outright record with 16 World Cup goals, set across four tournaments from 2002 to 2014. Lionel Messi equalled that record at the 2026 World Cup after scoring a hat-trick against Algeria.
How many World Cup goals has Mbappe scored in 2026?
Kylian Mbappe scored twice against Senegal in France’s opening match at the 2026 World Cup, briefly moving ahead of Messi in the all-time individual goalscoring standings before Messi’s hat-trick changed the picture.
Which country has scored the most goals in World Cup history?
Germany surpassed Brazil’s record for the most goals scored by a single nation in World Cup history following their 7-1 win over Curacao at the 2026 tournament. Brazil had held the record for decades across five title-winning campaigns.
Who is England’s top scorer in World Cup history?
Gary Lineker is England’s all-time leading World Cup goalscorer with six goals, all scored at the 1986 tournament in Mexico. Harry Kane has been England’s leading scorer in more recent tournaments and continues to add to his tally.
Can Mbappe break Klose’s World Cup goals record in 2026?
Yes — BBC Sport confirms that Mbappe is the only player aside from Messi who could still break the record in this tournament. He would need to outscore Messi in the remaining matches, requiring a strong run deep into the competition for France.
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