The twelfth day of the group stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, held on June 22, turned out to be exceptionally eventful and dramatic. The focus was on matches in groups I and J, where the first teams securing their place in the knockout stage were determined, and new historical records were set.
Group J: Argentina 2:0 Austria – Messi's Record
This match in Dallas will go down in history not only as a victory for the reigning World Cup champions but also as a tribute to Lionel Messi. The game was dramatic from the start: on the 9th minute, Messi missed a penalty. However, this miss only added to the intensity of his subsequent performance.
On the 38th minute, Messi brilliantly finished a cross from Facundo Medina, scoring his 17th goal at the World Cup. This goal allowed him to surpass the achievement of Miroslav Klose and become the all-time record holder for goals scored in men's World Cup tournaments. On the 5th added minute, Messi completed a brace, setting the final score at 2:0 and bringing his personal tally on the tournament to five goals.
This victory guaranteed Argentina a place in the Round of 16. The team leads Group J with six points, leading Austria (3 points) by three points before the final round.
Group I: France 3:0 Iraq – Confident Exit and Mbappé's Response
In Philadelphia, the French team also secured their place in the knockout stage, defeating the Iraqi team in a crushing victory. The match was not without technical difficulties: the game was interrupted for two hours due to thunderstorms and lightning strikes in the stadium area.
The dramatic narrative, however, remained with the French. Kylian Mbappé, for whom this match marked his 100th appearance for the national team, scored a brace, netting on the 14th and 54th minutes. His first goal was his 15th at the World Cup, equaling Ronaldo, and his second brought him to 16 goals – just two away from Messi's new record. The match was sealed on the 78th minute by Ussama Dembélé, scoring his first goal in major international tournaments.
For Iraq, this match marked their second defeat on the tournament after a crushing loss to Norway (1:4).>
Group I: Norway 3:2 Senegal – A Determined Victory
The Norwegian team secured their second consecutive win, this time in a determined fashion, defeating the Senegalese team. This result makes Norway a serious contender for progression from Group I, where they lead the tournament table.
Group J: Jordan 1:2 Algeria – Algeria's First Win
In another match of Group J, the Algerian team secured their first win on the tournament, defeating the debutant World Cup team – the Jordanian team – with a score of 2:1. This result leaves Jordan with minimal chances of continuing the fight.
Thus, the 12th matchday of the World Cup was marked by historic achievements, confirmation of favorites' status, and an increase in tournament tension within the groups. Ahead lies the final matches of the group stage, which will set all the final points.