Messi, Mbappe, Haaland all scored. Will Cristiano Ronaldo follow vs DR Congo?

It’s one of those rare World Cup nights when football’s biggest stars seem to be reading from the same script.

Across the United States, records were broken, milestones were reached, and some of the biggest names of this generation reminded the world why they defined an era. The World Cup has always been a stage for legends, but Wednesday was 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 led France to victory but also saw he became Les Bleus’ all-time top scorerbreaking a record that many thought would last for years.

Then it was Erling Haaland’s turn. The Norwegian goalscorer has been patiently waiting to make 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 biggest stagethe latest chapter in a career that seems destined to break every scoring record within reach. Mbappe, Haaland and Messi are the stars of their nation (Photo Reuters)

And then came Lionel Messi.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner produced a performance worthy of the occasion at the age of 38, just seven days short of turning 39 and making his 200th appearance for Argentina. A stunning hat-trick against Algeria not only propelled the defending champions to victory but also saw him tie with Miroslav Klos as the top goalscorer in World Cup history. Almost two decades after he first graced the tournament, Messi is still breaking records.

Three superstars. Three wins. Seven goals. Countless records. As remarkable as the night was, there is one last act left.

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 achieved. Now Ronaldo is preparing for his sixth World Cup appearance, with another piece of history within reach.

When Portugal takes over DR CongoRonaldo will have the chance to become the first ever player to score in six different FIFA World Cups. The Portuguese international scored a total of eight goals in the previous five editions of the tournament. Cristiano Ronaldo disappointed at the end of the 2022 FIFA World Cup (Photo Reuters)

Last World Cup didn’t go as planned, with Ronaldo scoring just once, coming on as a substitute against South Korea and later playing Portugal’s first game in the knockout stages against Switzerland. He also failed to score at the 2024 European Championships – the first time that has happened at a major international tournament.

While Messi could get the record of the oldest player to score a hat-trick from Ronaldo himself, the 41-year-old Portuguese forward will look to take it straight back against 45th-ranked DR Congo. They are playing in only their second World Cup, the first in 52 years when the country was still called Zaire.

“I wish him the best,” Congolese coach Sbastien Desabre said with a cheeky smile at a pre-match news conference, adding: “I hope he scores, but not against us.”

On a night where Mbappe, Haaland and Messi all produced historic moments, the spotlight now shifts to the one man capable of making it a truly memorable day for football. The pressure will be immense, but nothing the five-time Ballon d’Or winner hasn’t faced before.

He has delivered time and time again for club and country. The stage is set once again, the record books await – so which Ronaldo will come out today?

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Published on:

17 Jun 2026 14:51 IST