Messi becomes World Cup's all-time top scorer as analysts review Argentina win and VAR policy

Lionel Messi has passed Miroslav Klose to become the FIFA World Cup's all-time leading scorer with 18 goals, netting twice against Austria on a night when he also missed from the penalty spot. Analysts reviewing the match said Argentina unpicked Austria's compact low block by working mainly down the left through Medina, drawing the wing-back and a supporting centre-half across while Messi held off the congested area before arriving late to steer the ball beyond the goalkeeper.

France's squad rotation drew praise, with Kylian Mbappé at the heart of the approach on his 100th international appearance. Norway's Erling Haaland, meanwhile, scored on his country's return to the tournament after 28 years, taking his tally to 59 goals in 52 caps.

Jamaican referee expert Daneon Parchment explained why FIFA allows VAR to correct a corner wrongly awarded when a goal kick was due, but not the reverse. He said incorrect corners that lead straight to goals carry far greater scandal risk than a team losing a set piece from the opposite error. On goal-line technology, he stressed that the whole ball must cross the line, citing Japan's fixture against Tunisia as an example where replays looked close but officials' watches did not signal a goal.

Group updates put France and Norway through from Group A, while Senegal must hope to advance among the best third-placed sides. Argentina have qualified from Group J; Austria's progress depends on their final outing. Sweden, Scotland, Paraguay, Cabo Verde, Belgium, DR Congo, the Czech Republic and Ecuador remain in the third-place hunt, with Bosnia, Panama, Jordan and Senegal among those on the edge.

A rankings segment on the broadcast sparked disagreement after one contributor placed Mbappé first, Haaland second and Messi third, while others ranked Messi on top after his record-breaking display.

Panellists largely backed Belgium winger Jeremy Doku's stated plan to leave camp for the birth of his first child even if his side reach the quarter-finals, noting he is expected back for Belgium's must-win meeting with New Zealand. Hosts also cautioned that social-media claims about a Somali match official refusing FIFA compensation had not been verified.