Messi, Mbappé and Haaland headline World Cup wins as Jamaica analysts assess form

Three of world football's biggest names delivered on the same matchday as the 2026 FIFA World Cup rolled on, with Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland each leading their sides to victory on 22 June 2026.

Argentina defeated Austria 2-0, with Messi at the centre of the result. France beat Iraq 3-0, and Norway edged Senegal 3-2, with Haaland scoring twice.

Former Reggae Boy Tyrone Marshall, coach Jeremy Thomas and host Kimani Sullivan examined the day's action on a post-match panel. Thomas, a Jamaica Football Federation coaching educator, assistant coach of the national under-20 men's team and head coach of Malines United and McGrath High School, said Messi's display at age 39 should worry rivals.

"The footballing world should be a little bit scared because the kind of brilliance you are seeing from Leo is it is something else. It is as if Leo is 22," Thomas said. Messi played the full 90 minutes, and panellists noted Argentina's blend of European-style possession with a harder South American edge when out of possession.

Marshall said Argentina rotate fluidly in attack but reorganise quickly behind the ball, often in a 4-4-2 or 4-1-4-1 shape, with teammates working to preserve Messi's energy. He pointed to a team-built first goal and Messi's response after missing a penalty as signs of a side built around its captain.

On the numbers, Argentina recorded 12 shots with three on target, held 54% possession and completed 539 passes in a competitive outing. Austria, coached in a pressing style associated with Ralf Rangnick, were praised as organised and aggressive, though Marshall and Thomas said one or two errors against a structured Argentina side proved costly. Wide entries, especially through the flanks, were used to supply Messi, including on his opening goal.

In France's win, Mbappé opened the scoring with a left-footed strike and added further goals after the interval. Thomas said Iraq competed in phases but were punished for mistakes against a superior opponent. Panellists also noted the growing race for the World Cup's all-time scoring record, with Mbappé still young despite already featuring in two tournaments.

Haaland's brace powered Norway past Senegal, with Marshall calling the match something of a coming-out party on the global stage after his Premier League form with Manchester City. He described Haaland as aggressive and opportunistic in the box.

Messi's run of scoring in six straight World Cup matches was highlighted, leaving him level with Brazil's Jairzinho and France's Just Fontaine for consecutive tournament goals. Argentina's next fixture is against Jordan, which panellists said could offer Messi a chance to take the record outright.

The panel also questioned FIFA's scheduling, noting that Messi, Mbappé and Haaland played on the same day while Cristiano Ronaldo's fixture was held separately.