FIFA World Cup 2026: Argentina, France, and Norway Shine on a Thrilling Matchday

The FIFA World Cup 2026 delivered another exciting day of football on June 22, with three high-profile matches producing memorable moments, spectacular goals, and important results in the race for qualification to the knockout stage.

Argentina 2-0 Austria

Defending champions Argentina secured a crucial 2-0 victory over Austria and officially booked their place in the knockout stage. Once again, all eyes were on Lionel Messi, who produced a historic performance.

Messi opened the scoring in the 38th minute after a well-worked attacking move, giving Argentina the lead before halftime. Austria tried to respond and enjoyed several promising attacking moments, but Argentina's defense remained solid throughout the match.

In stoppage time, Messi struck again to seal the victory, scoring his second goal of the evening and confirming Argentina's dominance. The legendary forward continued his incredible World Cup journey with another match-winning display.

Goalscorers

• Lionel Messi (38')
• Lionel Messi (90+5')

With six points from two matches, Argentina moved to the top of Group J and became one of the first teams to qualify for the next round.

France 3-0 Iraq

France continued their impressive start to the tournament with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Iraq. Despite weather interruptions during the match, the French team showed their quality and attacking power.

Kylian Mbappé was the star of the show once again. The French captain opened the scoring with a brilliant strike and later added his second goal of the match. France controlled possession for long periods and created numerous chances against the Iraqi defense.

The victory guaranteed France a place in the knockout rounds and strengthened their position as one of the favorites to win the tournament.

Goalscorers

• Kylian Mbappé
• Kylian Mbappé
• France added a third goal to complete a dominant 3-0 victory.

France now sits at the top of Group I with two wins from two matches and an impressive goal difference.

Norway 3-2 Senegal

One of the most entertaining matches of the day took place between Norway and Senegal. The game featured five goals, dramatic momentum swings, and outstanding individual performances.

Norway took the lead through Marcus Pedersen shortly before halftime. In the second half, Erling Haaland demonstrated why he is considered one of the world's best strikers by scoring two crucial goals for his team.

Senegal refused to give up and fought back through Ismaila Sarr, who scored twice to keep his side alive in the contest. However, Norway managed to hold on and secure a valuable 3-2 victory.

Goalscorers

• Marcus Pedersen (Norway)
• Erling Haaland (Norway)
• Erling Haaland (Norway)
• Ismaila Sarr (Senegal)
• Ismaila Sarr (Senegal)

The result moved Norway into the knockout stage for the first time since 1998 and highlighted their growing status as one of the tournament's surprise contenders.

Key Takeaways from Matchday

The latest round of World Cup matches confirmed the strength of several tournament favorites. Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, continued their title defense in excellent fashion. France showcased their attacking quality through Kylian Mbappé, while Norway proved they can compete with the world's best teams thanks to Erling Haaland's clinical finishing.

With the group stage approaching its decisive phase, every point is becoming increasingly important. Fans around the world can expect even more drama, goals, and unforgettable moments as the road to the World Cup final continues.

Matchday Results

• Argentina 2-0 Austria
• France 3-0 Iraq
• Norway 3-2 Senegal

The tournament continues to provide excitement on a daily basis, and the battle for qualification remains wide open across several groups. Football supporters can look forward to more thrilling action in the coming days as the world's biggest sporting event enters a crucial stage.