The historic night came after an eventful start. Argentina won a penalty in the seventh minute following a VAR review after Lautaro Martinez was brought down inside the box. Messi stepped up but sent his effort wide, missing the chance to break the record from the spot.

Top goal scorers in FIFA World Cup history:

Record that stood for 12 years falls

Messi drew level with the former Germany striker during Argentina’s 3-0 victory over Algeria, scoring all three goals for the defending champions.

Against Austria, the 39-year-old finally moved ahead of Klose when he converted Medina’s cross in the 39th minute. The goal made him the first player in men’s World Cup history to score 17 goals.

His second goal in the 95th minute further strengthened his grip on the record, taking his tally to 18.

However, Messi could still face a challenge from France captain Kylian Mbappe, who has 14 World Cup goals at the age of 27. Mbappe scored twice against Senegal earlier in the tournament and remains the closest active player to Messi’s tally.

Another milestone in a glittering career

Messi’s latest achievement adds to a long list of records collected during a career spanning more than two decades.

The Argentine captain won the World Cup in Qatar in 2022 and arrived in the United States, Canada and Mexico for what many believe could be his final appearance at the tournament.

Having already become Argentina’s all-time leading scorer and the country’s most-capped player, Messi now stands alone as the leading scorer in World Cup history.

Argentina continue title defence

Messi’s historic double came as Lionel Scaloni’s side secured a second successive victory in Group J following their opening 3-0 win over Algeria.

Austria pushed Argentina throughout the contest and created several chances of their own, but Messi’s goals in the 39th and 95th minutes proved decisive.

The defending champions are aiming to become the first nation since Brazil in 1962 to successfully retain the FIFA World Cup title.

Kylian Mbappe, Harry Kane and Erling Haaland. Three of the best players on the planet, each linked at this World Cup in that they scored a brace in their opening games.

This tally was only surpassed by one man. Lionel Messi, the player who has spent 15 years surpassing all of his contemporaries, scored a hat-trick as Argentina beat Algeria.

He followed that triple with a brace against Austria in his second game. It was a real statement start from a man many believe is still the world’s best player. At this World Cup, it feels like there might only be one man who can keep up with him.

Just a few hours after the Argentine had become the all-time leading goalscorer in World Cup history, the man who is best-placed to inherit his crown delivered his own World Cup statement, as Kylian Mbappe helped France secure a place in the last 32 with a commanding win over Iraq.

“Messi, it’s clear,” answered Mbappe when asked who was best out of himself, Messi, Harry Kane and Erling Haaland in the build-up to the game.

“For me, it’s not a question in my head,” he went on to explain, highlighting that the only thing that matters now is helping France to win a third World Cup. Anyone watching the action in Philadelphia would be forgiven for thinking slightly differently.

Mbappe, himself fresh off becoming his country’s top all-time goalscorer after his brace against Senegal, was making his 100th appearance for Les Blues. But as soon as this match kicked off, it certainly felt like the all-time World Cup scoring record was also on his mind.

The France striker was on the front foot from the off, and it was strangely suitable that he was scythed down by Amir Al Ammari so cynically early on. Perhaps that is the only way to stop him.

Mbappe’s early combinations with both Michael Olise and Ousmane Dembele were an exciting reminder that this France squad possesses an unrivalled depth of attacking talent, and while they could not find the final ball early on, it was clear that they were here to make a statement.

For Mbappe specifically, some showmanship on the right wing suggested that he was in the mood to entertain, and he didn’t take long to deliver on that promise as he scored a superb opener.

Receiving the ball just outside the area, and with Iraq affording him far too much space, he needed no invitation to rifle a ferocious strike into the far corner past a helpless Ahmed Basil. It was ruthlessly efficient and made to look so easy, as if it had been scored in a YouTube video filmed during a training exercise.

That was the only goal of the first half at the Philadelphia Stadium, and the action on the pitch gave way to action off it as a thunderstorm moved in, delaying the start of the second half by two hours as drenched fans packed the concourses and the seats emptied.

As the rain continued to hammer down, the storm circling around the Philadelphia Stadium at half-time felt like a suitable metaphor for Iraq. France were not going to lose their rhythm, and it was only going to get more difficult from here.

It was not long before Iraq conceded again. If the first goal had required remarkable skill, the second required almost none, with Ahmed Basil failing to control a simple pass before Dembele squared it for Mbappe to tap into an empty net. The Frenchman was not about to let the weather – or Messi – steal the show.

While the rain in Philly subsided, the France onslaught did not. Mbappe remained at the heart of things, showing some stunning touches in such difficult conditions and almost grabbing an assist as he took down a pass brilliantly before laying it off to Olise, whose sumptuous lob had Basil flailing before it bounced back off the crossbar.

Olise remained at the heart of things throughout, the orchestrator to Mbappe the finisher, and he had his moment late on, sliding a great pass into the path of Dembele, who lasered a low finish into the corner to seal the result.

Though they would be expected to win this game easily, France beat Iraq in a manner that was eye-catching in its ruthlessness and quality, in stark contrast to how teams such as Spain and Portugal have toiled against lesser sides at this tournament.

As always, Mbappe was at the forefront of it all, a constant threat against an admittedly weak Iraq side. But while some might argue that a group stage match against such opposition does not bring a lot of pressure for someone like Mbappe, a player of this calibre always takes to the pitch with a different weight of expectation.

The celebrations certainly suggested as much, with the Frenchman celebrating both his strikes with plenty of excitement. Nevertheless, it’s difficult to tell whether this reaction was him inadvertently admitting that he has an eye on the record that Messi shattered in his own spectacular week.

In any case, as he was brought down in the area after nutmegging a defender, and as he tried the audacious volley from a clipped pass late on, it was clear that Mbappe was enjoying himself once more on the world’s biggest stage.

For all the criticisms of his club career so far, it’s undeniable that his World Cup exploits put him among the tournament’s greatest players. Despite his press conference comments, the 26-year-old seems set on reminding everyone that he is still one of the world’s top players, and scoring his 15th and 16th World Cup certainly goals went some way to doing so.

Indeed, despite all their talent, it feels like France will need Mbappe to deliver to the same levels he did in 2018 and 2022 if they are to win this tournament. Thankfully, although it’s early days, he looks set to do so.

If 2018 was Mbappe launching himself to stardom, 2022 was a reminder of his world-beating talents. We do not yet know what 2026 will be, but if he can carry on this form, it could be the tournament that elevates him to the pantheon of the sport.

One analyst has a bone to pick with a specific region of golf fans following the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills this past week.

Golf Channel’s Eamon Lynch believes a golf major shouldn’t ever come across Long Island, New York again after seeing what unfolded at one of the country’s storied courses in Shinnecock Hills during the U.S. Open.

“Long Island golf fans re a stain on the game of golf,” Lynch said during a segment on Monday following Wyndham Clark’s second U.S. Open victory for his career.

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Golf Channel commentator Eamon Lynch looks on during the second round of the 125th U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club in Oakmont, Pa., on June 13, 2025. (Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

Lynch continued to unload on Long Islanders who attended the event, saying they “do not deserve” to see another major at any of its storied courses, including Bethpage Black, which hosted this past year’s Ryder Cup.

Clark was at the center of Lynch’s argument, as authorities had to kick patrons at Shinnecock Hills on Sunday out after heckling the U.S. Open’s leader. Fans were heard screaming, “Don’t choke Wyndham,” as well as, “Get in the bunker” during his final round.

“This isn’t a New York problem,” Lynch added. “It doesn’t happen at Winged Foot, doesn’t happen at Baltusrol on the other side of the Hudson River. It happens on Long Island every single time.”

NEW YORK GOLF FANS DESERVE TO BE CALLED OUT, SAM BURNS HAS A GOOD CRY, WYNDHAM CLARK’S BEST SHOT AT SHINNECOCK

As of now, the PGA of America has the PGA Championship set up for Bethpage Black in 2033.

At that very course, Rory McIlroy and other members of Team Europe were the subject of taunts and heckling that got in the way of the Ryder Cup this past summer. McIlroy was even seen stepping back from the ball to quip back at one of the hecklers, while others, including his friend Shane Lowry, were also quick to respond.

Then, during Team Europe’s victory run on American soil, McIlroy’s wife, Erica Stoll, had a beer thrown at her while walking on the course.

Rory McIlroy talks with Golfweek journalist Eamon Lynch during the pro-am before the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Arnold Palmer Bay Hill Golf Course in Orlando, Fla., on March 1, 2023. (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

“I don’t think we should ever accept that in golf,” McIlroy said at the time. “I think golf should be held to a higher standard than what was seen out there this week.”

While nothing of the sort was seen during the four rounds at the U.S. Open this past week, Lynch still believes Long Island golf fans have been too “repetitive” and “predictable” to allow high-stakes tournaments to be played there in the future.

“It’s the drunk crypto bros who buy a ticket with Daddy’s credit card,” Lynch said, even adding that some of the fans have been privileged in their lives to the point they’ve been “without ever being stopped for something they’ve said.”

Is there a solution? Lynch thinks Augusta National Golf Club has it right for The Masters.

“Maybe golf in its entirety needs to take the August National model,” he said. “No phones, no tolerance, no second chance.”

Shinnecock Hills saw Clark become somewhat of a villain among the crowd despite leading the pack throughout the tournament. He’s had a history of throwing clubs, and he notoriously was banned from Oakmont during the 2025 U.S. Open after damaging two lockers inside the clubhouse out of frustration. He’s no longer allowed on the property.

Wyndham Clark celebrates with his girlfriend Emily Tanner after winning the final round of the 126th U.S. Open Championship at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, N.Y., on June 21, 2026. (Tracy Wilcox/PGA Tour)

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But despite Clark’s wrongdoings on and off the course, the decorum of being a golf patron, especially at a major championship, is paramount.

Lynch feels those on Long Island are not following suit.  

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With Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, announcing his resignation this morning and Andy Burnham as a possible successor, the fitness, health and wellness sector is evaluating its position. 

Burnham understands the importance of physical activity and has been a strong advocate, so is this what the sector is waiting for? 

In an interview with HCM’s sister publication, Sports Management, before the pandemic  Burnham – as Mayor of Manchester – spoke about physical activity being a passion for him and his goal to get 75 per cent of people in Manchester physically activity by 2025.

He used his devolved power in Manchester to pivot GPs from a medical model to a social model, expanding their role to treat isolation and physical inactivity as aggressively as clinical symptoms. 

Under the Active Practices Charter, GP surgeries across Greater Manchester partnered with local leisure trusts to encourage GPs to connect patients with walking groups and local fitness sessions.

He also championed Parkrun and the Daily Mile in schools.

According to Sport England Active Lives data, 76.4 per cent of adults in Manchester exercise for at least 30 minutes a week, with 66.3 per cent meeting the WHO guidelines of 150 minutes. The smoking rate is also relatively low at 17 per cent.

“I’ve always had a simple belief that activity is good for people and also good for society,” said Burnham.

“If physical activity was placed at the heart of primary care, we’d be in a different league in terms of health.

“Can we get to a point where exercise referral – linked to a full package of nutritional advice and counselling – is the default option as a starting point rather than us turning immediately to medication?”

Burnham has also argued that preventative healthcare cannot be mandated from Westerminster, but must be built from bottom-up leadership in local neighbourhoods.

UK Active CEO, Cameron Saunders, said on LinkedIn that he’s cautiously optimistic about what a Burnham government might be able to deliver: 

“Physical activity in primary care – Burnham has always believed exercise referral should be the default NHS offer, not an afterthought. As Mayor he pushed hard to embed it in Greater Manchester’s devolved health system. As PM, he’d have the levers to reform the GP contract – specifically the Quality Outcomes Framework – to incentivise activity referrals nationally; that’s a potential structural shift our sector has been waiting decades for.

“The Manchester Model, on a national scale. Burnham’s blueprint – Daily Mile in schools, social prescribing, active travel infrastructure, community-based provision – is proven. He’ll hopefully want to roll it out everywhere. For leisure operators, that means new commissioning frameworks, stronger referral pipelines and genuine integration with public health.

“Gyms as NHS delivery partners. He said it explicitly: gyms need to become the standardised, recognised exercise referral option that GPs can confidently prescribe to. That’s not a nice-to-have – it’s a policy architecture waiting to be built, delivered across public and private. Will he recognise it’a time to stop taxing prevention in order to fund cure?

“Prevention over prescription. Burnham has always been frustrated that the NHS reaches for medication before lifestyle intervention. Let’s hope a Burnham government would push hard on this – moving physical activity from the margins of health policy to the centre.

“After “Two Year Kier” I’m cautiously optimistic about what a Burnham government might be able to deliver, you’ve got to live in hope, right?”

The Steelers are sorting through a mess of their own making with Mike McCarthy at HC and Aaron Rodgers at QB. These two are going to collect headlines whether there’s success (unlikely) or failure (more likely).

Pretty quietly, the team has been collecting ex-Vikings players, too.

Pittsburgh’s official social media passed along word of adding WR Joaquin Davis. He’s a tall and super fast depth receiver who got shown the door after GM Nolan Teasley took over (signing some Seattle talent was deemed more desirable). Davis will be looking to prove helpful to McCarthy & Rodgers as he tries to secure long-term employment in The Steel City.

A Pile of Ex-Vikings are Calling Pittsburgh Home

Not too long ago, word emerged of Robert Tonyan joining the AFC North team.

Doing so meant reuniting with Rodgers, both of whom played in Green Bay. Where Tonyan differentiates himself from Rodgers is that the TE wanted to play in the Twin Cities, leading to an opportunity to do so. Meanwhile, Rodgers desired to do so but the Vikings (mercifully) opted against the option. Given how things unfolded in 2025, signing Rodgers for a single season may have been the better move had the only criteria been on-field competence.

The wild part in the broader conversation is that Davis and Tonyan are far from alone when it comes to former Vikings getting a chance over in Pittsburgh.

Consider some of the former Vikings putting in work for the Steelers:

• DL Esezi Otomewo
• DL Dean Lowry
• LB Jamin Davis
• TE Robert Tonyan
• WR Joaquin Davis
• OL Doug Nester

As it relates to Davis specifically, a spot on the 53-man roster always appeared difficult. Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and Jauan Jennings aren’t going anywhere. Securing a spot as the WR4 or WR5 was going to be supremely difficult.

What he had to offer, though, did inspire a decent amount of intrigue.

Standing at 6’4″ and running a forty in the 4.3 range is always going to attract attention in the NFL. Davis, predictably, has been getting chances. Rodgers isn’t the deep-ball assassin that he once was but he’s still above average. Maybe Davis can prove helpful.

Considering the situation from the other direction — ex-Steelers putting in work as Vikings — means considering a more modest list. Most notable, perhaps, is corner James Pierre. He’s joined by d-lineman Isaiahh Loudermilk.

Prior to becoming the DC in Minnesota, Brian Flores was the world’s most overqualified linebacker coach with Mike Tomlin’s Steelers.

Since the Vikings and the Steelers play in opposite conferences, a Super Bowl battle is a possibility. Seeing that incredibly unlikely matchup take place would mean seeing some ex-Vikings trying to get revenge on football’s biggest stage.

Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. Email: k.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.

LoLdle answers for June 23, 2026 are finally revealed for fans who got stuck today. Puzzle iteration 1447 can be quite a hassle if players are not familiar with all of the characters and their aspects. That said, those actively grinding LoL should be able to decipher the clues by following the hints correctly.

Nevertheless, here is the Quote puzzle in the 1447th entry of LoLdle:

“Peace, no matter the cost.”

All League of Legends LoLdle answers 1447th edition (June 23, 2026)

The League of Legends LoLdle answers for June 23 are shown below:

• Classic: Lillia
• Quote: Karma
• Ability: Bel’Veth; Bonus: W (Above and Below)
• Emoji: Naafiri
• Splash Art: Cho’Gath; Bonus: Shan Hai Scrolls Cho’Gath

The Classic answer for June 23’s LoLdle is Lillia. Next, the Quote puzzle points to Karma, who is also one of the better and more feasible choices in the support role in the current League of Legends meta.

Next, the Ability clue refers to Bel’Veth’s W ability named “Above and Below.” The Emoji puzzle, on the other hand, indicates Naafiri and her characteristics. Lastly, the Splash Art puzzle wraps up by including Cho’Gath’s Shan Hai Scrolls skin.

Also read: League of Legends patch 26.13 preview

Previous League of Legends LoLdle answers

Here are some of the previous League of Legends LoLdle answers:

• LoLdle 1446 (June 22): Jinx, Sejuani, Warwick, Volibear, Senna
• LoLdle 1445 (June 21): Aphelios, Sona, Yasuo, Akshan, Heimerdinger
• LoLdle 1444 (June 20): Tahm Kench, Quinn, Tristana, Taliyah, Nilah
• LoLdle 1443 (June 19): Amumu, Diana, Sivir, Vex, Braum
• LoLdle 1442 (June 18): LeBlanc, Vi, Fizz, Gangplank, Rell
• LoLdle 1441 (June 17): Kog’Maw, Zoe, Illaoi, Vayne, Zaahen
• LoLdle 1440 (June 16): Singed, Aurelion Sol, Yunara, Cho’Gath, Samira
• LoLdle 1439 (June 15): Sivir, Ornn, Viego, Kassadin, Yuumi
• LoLdle 1438 (June 14): Darius, Samira, Anivia, Sion, Jarvan IV
• LoLdle 1437 (June 13): Nocturne, Yorick, Evelynn, Vladimir, Shyvana
• LoLdle 1436 (June 12): Rell, Lulu, Darius, Vel’Koz, Zed
• LoLdle 1435 (June 11): Katarina, Fiddlesticks, Maokai, Soraka, Yone
• LoLdle 1434 (June 10): Sion, Soraka, Tryndamere, Rammus, Nunu & Willump

The answers to the 1448th entry of LoLdle will be shared on June 24, 2026.

Check out more LoL news and updates: