It is one of those rare World Cup nights when football’s biggest stars all seemed to be reading from the same script.
Across the United States, records have tumbled, milestones have been reached, and some of the greatest names of this generation reminded the world why they have defined an era. The FIFA World Cup has always been a stage for legends, but Wednesday felt different.
First came Kylian Mbappe. Still only 27, yet already carrying the weight of French football history on his shoulders, his brace against Senegal not only guided France to victory but also saw him become Les Bleus’ all-time leading goalscorer, surpassing a record many thought would stand for years.
Then it was Erling Haaland’s turn. The Norwegian goal machine had waited patiently for his World Cup debut, and when the moment finally arrived, he wasted little time making his mark. Two goals against Iraq announced his arrival on football’s grandest stage, the latest chapter in a career that seems destined to break every scoring record within reach.
And then came Lionel Messi.
At 38 years old, just seven days shy of turning 39, and making his 200th appearance for Argentina, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner produced a performance worthy of the occasion. A stunning hat-trick against Algeria not only powered the defending champions to victory but also saw him draw level with Miroslav Klose as the highest scorer in World Cup history. Nearly two decades after first gracing the tournament, Messi is still rewriting its record books.
Three superstars. Three victories. Seven goals. Countless records. Yet as remarkable as the night was, there remains one final act.
CRISTIANO RONALDO DOS SANTOS AVEIRO
For nearly 20 years, the Portuguese icon and Messi have shared football’s biggest stage, pushing each other to heights few athletes have ever reached. Now Ronaldo prepares for his sixth World Cup appearance, with another piece of history within touching distance.
When Portugal takes on DR Congo, Ronaldo will have the chance to become the first player ever to score in six different FIFA World Cups. The Portuguese international has eight goals in total across the previous five editions of the tournament.
The last World Cup didn’t go as planned, with Ronaldo scoring just once, being substituted against South Korea, and later benched for Portugal’s first knockout-stage match against Switzerland. He also failed to score in the 2024 European Championship — the first time that has happened at a major international tournament.
While Messi might have taken the record of oldest player to score a hat-trick from Ronaldo himself, the 41-year-old Portuguese forward will look to take it straight back against a 45th-ranked DR Congo. They are playing in only their second World Cup, their first in 52 years, when the country was still called Zaire.
“I wish him the best,” Congo coach Sbastien Desabre said with a cheeky smile in the pre-match press conference before adding, “I hope that he scores, but not against us.”
On a night when Mbappe, Haaland and Messi all delivered moments of history, the spotlight now shifts to the one man capable of ensuring this becomes a truly unforgettable day for football. The pressure will be huge, but nothing the five-time Ballon d’Or winner hasn’t faced before.
He has delivered for both club and country time and again. The stage is set once more, the record books are waiting—so which Ronaldo will turn up today?
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