2026 World Cup

France, Norway and Argentina win and go through to the next round

Mbappé, Haaland and Messi lead France, Norway and Argentina into the round of 16, having beaten Iraq (3–0), Senegal (3–2) and Austria (2–0). Algeria beat Jordan 2–1

by Marco Bellinazzo

23 June 2026

La partita tra Francia e Iraq, disputata a Filadelfia lunedì 22 giugno 2026. (APS)

4' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

4' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

It is increasingly becoming a World Cup of stars. With another brace each, Mbappé, Haaland and Messi have led France, Norway and Argentina into the quarter-finals after dominating Groups I and J.

France v Iraq 3–0

In Philadelphia, a one-sided match took place, but it was an extremely long one – lasting almost four hours – because the bad-weather protocol was triggered between the two sets. The players and the crowd had to leave the stadium in accordance with the emergency procedures set out in the ‘Seek Cover Protocol’.

Les Bleus had already taken the lead in the 14th minute through Mbappé, who turned one of his early bursts of pace into a goal with a left-footed shot that gave the opposition goalkeeper no chance. Iraq tried to stay in the game with a few attacks, but never really troubled Maignan.

After an extremely long interval of over two hours – with the opening match of this World Cup suspended due to a weather warning and the risk of lightning – France returned to the pitch and dominated the game, demonstrating absolute maturity. No distractions, no let-up: in the 54th minute, Mbappé scored his second goal of the match with a swift move, and twelve minutes later, in the 66th minute, Dembélé slotted home a precise diagonal shot to make it 3–0.

The closing stages were all about managing the game, with Mbappé even coming close to a hat-trick. France dominated technically and progressed to the round of 16.

Norway v Senegal 3–2

At MetLife Stadium, New York, the most intense match in Group I takes centre stage. Norway confirms its status as one of the tournament’s surprise packages, but Senegal shows it has both pride and quality.

The deadlock was finally broken in the first half, with Pedersen scoring in the 42nd minute. In the second half, the match became a thrilling spectacle as both teams threw caution to the wind in their quest for victory. This is the World Cup of world-class players, and so the world’s most clinical centre-forward, Norway’s Haaland, took centre stage, scoring to make it 2–0 just two minutes after the restart.

Senegal’s response came just seven minutes later, with Sarr scoring to make it 2–1. Norway were not about to let themselves be caught out again, and Haaland found the net once more in the 58th minute to make it 3–1. The match remained open right until the end, with Senegal pushing forward and Mané leading the final assault. It was only in stoppage time, however, that Sarr scored his second goal, reigniting hope. The final minutes were a relentless onslaught, but Norway held firm and secured a crucial victory, which saw them qualify for the round of 16. Senegal, if they beat Iraq, can still hope to progress as one of the best third-placed teams.

Group I Standings

France 6 points (qualified)

Norway 6 points (qualified)

Senegal 0

Iraq 0

Argentina v Austria 2–0

In Dallas, on the 40th anniversary of the clash between Argentina and England in the quarter-finals of the 1986 World Cup in Mexico – the match that saw ‘La Mano de Dios’ and Diego Armando Maradona’s ‘goal of the century’ – Lionel Messi donned the number 10 shirt – his go-to kit for special occasions – and scored a brace against Austria, following his hat-trick in the opening match against Algeria.

La Pulce has thus reached 18 goals across the six tournaments in which he has played, overtaking Germany’s Klose to become the highest goalscorer in World Cup history.

Although the match is not as straightforward as the result might suggest. Austria came out aggressively, pressing high up the pitch and trying to disrupt the Albiceleste’s build-up play. In the opening minutes, it even looked as though the script might be rewritten: Messi miscued a penalty, with a hop that sent the ball to the goalkeeper’s left, and missed the chance to take the lead.

It is an incident that does not, however, alter the overall flow of the game. Argentina keep possession, spread the play wide and look to play short one-two passes to break down the opposition’s defence. Austria held firm, but in the 38th minute came the move that broke the deadlock: Messi received the ball on the edge of the box and found the space to make it 1–0. As we know, top players draw both anger and inspiration from their opponents’ mistakes.

The match remains wide open in the second half. Austria try to flood the box with crosses and runs into the area, whilst Argentina come close to doubling their lead through Nico González and control the tempo without ever really stepping up the pace.

The decisive blow came in stoppage time: 90’+5, a scramble in the box, the ball rebounding all over the place, and yet again Messi found a way to score. A brace, and the match was over. It’s the perfect snapshot of this Argentina side: composure, clinical finishing and a world-class player who tips the balance whenever it’s needed.

Jordan v Algeria 1–2

At the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium in Santa Clara, however, it’s a completely different story: the margin is razor-thin and every incident counts double. Jordan have surprised everyone with their intensity and courage: they’re pressing high up the pitch, keeping Mahrez in check and taking the lead in the 36th minute through Al-Rashdan, who did well to capitalise on a loose ball in the box.

Algeria struggled to get going in the first half, looking tense, almost paralysed by the pressure of the match. But everything changed in the second half. The North Africans pushed higher up the pitch, gained ground and, above all, made the most of set-pieces: in the 69th minute, Benbouali scored with a header from a corner, and in the 82nd minute, Gouiri tapped in from a scramble in the box.

The comeback is complete; Jordan are reeling from the blow and fail to mount a proper response in the closing minutes, leaving them doomed to elimination. For Algeria, this victory is worth far more than just three points: it has completely reopened the qualification race, which will be decided in their final match against Austria.