World Cup history could be made tonight as Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe aim to break the all-time scoring record. Messi, 38, currently shares the record with Miroslav Klose on 16 goals after his hat-trick in Argentina's 3-0 win over Algeria. Mbappe, 27, has 14 World Cup goals after scoring twice in France's 3-1 victory against Senegal.
What Messi Needs to Break the Record
If Messi scores at least once tonight against Austria in Dallas, Texas (6pm BST), he will surpass Klose's mark. The German legend set the record with a goal in the 7-1 semi-final win over Brazil in 2014. Messi is playing in his sixth World Cup—joint-highest with Cristiano Ronaldo—and his 16 goals have come in 27 games.
Austria are making their first World Cup appearance in 28 years. They boast talented defender David Alaba, 33, whose Real Madrid contract expires this month. Other key players include former Chelsea attacker Carney Chukwuemeka, 22, and Marko Arnautovic, 37, who scored in their opening 3-1 victory over Jordan.
What Mbappe Needs to Break the Record
Mbappe requires a hat-trick to move level with Klose, but the target may shift if Messi scores earlier. France play Iraq in Philadelphia four hours later (10pm BST). Mbappe has scored in both the 2018 and 2022 finals—including a hat-trick in Qatar as France lost to Argentina. This is his third World Cup.
Iraq lost their opener 4-1 to Norway, with Erling Haaland scoring a brace in his first World Cup game. Iraq's only goal came from Aymen Hussein, their fifth all-time scorer. Iraq have appeared in every World Cup since 2014, having qualified only three times before (1978, 1998, 2006).
A win for both Argentina and France would secure knockout football.
