The World Cup is where history is made. Fans are locked in, players become heroes, and the games bring moments many will remember forever.
Day 12 of the World Cup brought a lot of that. Three of the game’s biggest stars were playing: Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland. Let’s dive into the day’s action and other moments.
Argentina vs Austria: Messi makes history
The reigning world champions took on Austria at Dallas Stadium.
As expected, Argentina controlled the game, while Austria sat back. Argentina’s passing was crisp, and they showed off their speed and creativity.
Messi in particular was leading the way. He had a glorious chance to open the scoring after Lautaro Martinez was pulled down in the box. But he missed the penalty.
But as Messi has shown throughout the years, he always bounces back. One penalty miss wasn’t going to rattle them. He and Argentina kept attacking and testing Austrian goalkeeper Alexander Schlager.
The man many called the greatest of all time made more history. In the 38th minute, Messi scored a perfectly timed shot that beat Schlager. He surpassed Miroslav Klose as the World Cup’s all-time leading goal scorer. That is another record broken by the man from Rosario.
We are witnessing greatness; enjoy him while you can.
Throughout the second half, Austria started coming alive. However, Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez and centre-backs Cristian Romero (before he got injured) and Lisandro Martinez were doing well. Martinez, despite his short stature, was making life difficult for the Austrian attackers, and his passes from the back were on point.
Argentina kept pushing for the second goal. Messi, Nico Gonzalez, and Julian Alvarez, off the bench, had chances. But the Austrian backline and Schlager managed to hold on.
Deep into stoppage time, Argentina sealed the game. Guess who scored it? Of course it was him. Messi got his fifth goal of the World Cup. Austria tried to stop Messi and Argentina with a human wall in front of the net, but he bagged his second of the game. He truly is a wizard.
To the surprise of absolutely no one, Argentina advanced to the Round of 32. Another day, another Messi masterclass.
France vs Iraq: Another Mbappe masterclass
Like Napoleon’s army in their prime, the French were looking to attack. Early on, they attacked quickly but were smart about finding space behind the Iraqi defence.
The lethal front four of Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, Michael Olise and Bradley Barcola were all over Iraq’s defence like bees surrounding flowers on a summer’s day. The sting came courtesy of France’s general. On his 100th cap for Les Blues, Mbappe scored again with a blast from outside the box 14 minutes in.
France continued to attack. They were forcing Iraq to play deep, and the French were moving the ball with ease. Before halftime, it started to rain hard in Philadelphia. Soccer in the rain, just like in the school yard.
It could’ve been more for France at halftime, as they were dominating. Iraq must have been satisfied with being down by only one. Mbappe’s goal was France’s only shot on target in the first half. The game ended up being delayed due to the weather. It isn’t always sunny in Philadelphia.
After two hours and 15 minutes, the second half started.
Like the first, France controlled the game. Mbappe was even dropping back to win tackles and start the attacks himself. The French superstar used his speed to drive into the box to create chances for himself and his teammates.
Mbappe got his brace, and his second goal was one of the easiest he’ll ever score. Iraqi goalkeeper Ahmed Basil lost focus for a second, receiving a pass from Zaid Tahseen. The ball found the feet of Dembele, and Mbappe put the ball into the open cage. This was dreadful play from the back from Iraq.
France continued to pummel Iraq like the rain pummeled Philadelphia earlier. They made it look so easy. Olise found Dembele on the right side, and his shot beat Basil. The reigning Ballon D’Or winner got his first-ever World Cup goal. The pass from Olise deserves plaudits too. France were playing with a ton of confidence.
To Iraq’s credit, they didn’t roll over and give up. They started attacking the French box, but the final pass wasn’t there for them.
The French got a resounding victory and advanced to the Round of 32. Despite the weather delay, they took care of business.
Norway vs Senegal: Haaland can’t be stopped
While France and Iraq were playing the second half at Philadelphia Stadium, Haaland and Norway began their game against Sadio Mane and Senegal at New York/New Jersey Stadium.
It was a physical game to start with bone-crunching tackles. The goalkeepers were the ones stealing the show. Senegal’s Edouard Mendy and Ørjan Nyland came up big.
It looked like the game would be scoreless heading into halftime, but Norway struck first thanks to two mistakes at the back from Senegal. Al Hilal’s Kalidou Koulibaly gave the ball right to Torino’s Marcus Holmgren Pederson, who came off the bench for the injured Julian Ryerson. Holmgren Pederson’s shot wasn’t handled properly by Mendy. Disaster for Senegal, delirium for Norway.
Things started to open up in the second half. Of course, Haaland scored. Martin Odegaard intercepted Idrissa Gueye’s pass and slid a beautiful pass to Haaland. He is inevitable.
Senegal cut the deficit a few minutes later. Ismaila Sarr one-timed Mane’s pass past Nyland.
But the Norwegian monster struck again. Haaland was like a silent assassin ready to strike at any time. The Manchester City star struck a volley past Mendy and restored the two-goal lead for his country. A lot of credit has to be given to Patrick Berg for his pressing and pass to Haaland.
The physicality continued. Norway wanted to kill the game off, but Senegal and their pressing didn’t want to go down easily. Nicolas Jackson was fighting to put the ball in the net. Late in the game, he was denied from close range by Nyland, but was offside. Again, he has the tools, but he lacks the composure and keeps going offside.
Senegal weren’t finished. In stoppage time, Sarr was found in the box with no one marking him while he received Jackson’s pass, and he cut the lead down to one. Things were getting interesting.
But Norway bent, but didn’t break. In the end, the Viking adventure continued as Haaland and Norway advanced to the Round of 32. Now they are a dark horse team.
Jordan vs Algeria: Corners help Algeria prevail
The day ended at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium between Jordan and Algeria.
That stadium has seen some exciting games. This was no different, as both teams started off the game fast with end-to-end action. It was also a physical one too.
Algeria’s Riyad Mahrez had the best chances of the game, including one that was saved by Yazeed Abulaila.
Soon after, Algeria had trouble clearing the ball from around the box. Jordan decided to press, and Nizar Al Rashdan beat Luca Zidane to open the scoring. Mousa Tamari was the one who carried the ball into the box, and Al Rashdan found some space to strike the ball into the net.
Jordan did a good job with their defensive shape to block Algeria’s wide areas. They also were very quick on the counterattack, and that resulted in their goal.
Algeria started the second half with some urgency. They were moving quickly with the overloads on the wings. But Jordan was there to make some solid last-minute tackles.
The Algerians were pushing to tie the game. The goal came from Mahrez’s corner kick that was headed in by substitute Nadir Benbouali. Perfect delivery and perfect header.
Algeria were really coming alive. In the second half, Jordan could barely get out of their own half. Algeria’s overloads were working and hung onto possession as if the ball was made of lava.
Algeria took the lead through a corner yet again. The corner kick was whipped in, and it went off a Jordanian defender, Amine Gouiri. The Algerians fans were sent into a frenzy.
Algeria then shut Jordan down, and that was all she wrote. Jordan were eliminated from the World Cup. Whatever was said by Algeria manager Vladimir Petkovic worked because Algeria dominated the second half.
Masterclass of the day
Braces from three special players.
Disasterclass of the day
Koulibaly was at fault for all three Norway goals. It seems he hasn’t changed from his stint at Chelsea.
Stat of the day
Fan moment of the day
Even on the New York Subway, Norway fans are rowing. Only during the World Cup.
Meme of the day
Messi, Mbappe and Haaland all unleashed their domain expansions as their cursed energy terrorized opponents.
Wrap-up
Day 13 of the World Cup will bring more action. Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal will look to bounce back from their 1-1 draw against Congo. They face Uzbekistan at Houston Stadium at 10:00 am Pacific. Then, Harry Kane and England take on Antoine Semenyo and Ghana at Boston Stadium at 1:00 pm Pacific. Luca Modric and Croatia face Panama at Toronto Stadium at 4:00 pm Pacific. Finally, Luis Diaz and Colombia face Congo at Guadalajara Stadium at 7:00 pm Pacific.
More history will be made.
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