Soccer fans saw several important games in the 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage on June 22. Teams picked up valuable points as the tournament moved toward the knockout phase.
Argentina defeated Austria 2-0 in Group J. Lionel Messi scored both goals, including one in the 38th minute and another late in stoppage time. His performance pushed him to 18 World Cup goals all time, breaking the previous record. The win kept Argentina in strong position in their group.
In Group I, France beat Iraq 3-0. Kylian Mbappe scored twice, with Ousmane Dembele adding the third. France controlled the match and moved closer to advancing. Norway edged Senegal 3-2 in another Group I clash. Erling Haaland scored twice for Norway, while Senegal’s Ismaila Sarr replied with two goals in a close contest that featured five total goals.
Algeria came from behind to beat Jordan 2-1 in Group J. The result gave Algeria a boost after an earlier draw. Other matches around that period included Spain’s dominant 4-0 win over Saudi Arabia and Egypt’s 3-1 victory over New Zealand, marking Egypt’s first World Cup win in tournament history.
Key stats from the day included high scoring affairs and strong individual performances. Messi’s brace stood out as a historic moment linking his individual record to Argentina’s team success. France’s clean sheet and efficient attacking play connected their defensive organization to qualification hopes. Norway and Senegal’s back and forth game highlighted the competitive balance in their group, with Haaland’s goals directly tying to Norway’s three points.
These results strengthened positions for teams like Argentina and France while keeping several groups wide open heading into later matchdays.