The action-packed Saturday at the 2022 FIFA World Cup was headlined by a class act from two superstars – Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe. Holders France broke the champions curse and became the first team to qualify for the knockouts courtesy an Mbappe brace against Denmark. Argentina bounced back from the shock loss to Saudi Arabia to beat Mexico 2-0 with two golazos. Earlier, Robert Lewandowski ended the wait for his first World Cup goal for Poland while Australia started the day with a win over Tunisia.
By The Numbers has the best stats from the four World Cup matches played on Saturday:
Argentina 2 – 0 Mexico
13
Messi reached 13 goals for Argentina in 2022, which is his highest tally in a calendar year. He had scored 12 in 2012.
6
Messi got on the board for the 6th straight match for Argentina, tying his longest scoring streak (from Nov 2011 to Sep 2012.)
8
Messi scored his 8th career World Cup goal, tying Diego Maradona for the second most by an Argentine player. Interestingly, 6 of his 8 World Cup goals have been off his left foot, including both in 2022.
Messi �� Maradona #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/vQcd5wU9ML
– ESPN India (@ESPNIndia) November 27, 2022
21
Enzo Fernández (21 years & 313 days) is the youngest player to score for Argentina at the World Cup since Messi in 2006 vs Serbia and Montenegro (18 years & 358 days).
6
Messi now has 6 World Cup assists, the joint 3rd-most since 1966. Poland’s Grzegorz Lato has 7 and Argentina’s Diego Maradona has 8.
36
Messi is now both the youngest (18y 357d vs Serbia in 2006) and the oldest (35y 155d vs Mexico today) player to both score and assist in a single World Cup game since the start of the 1966 tournament.
France 2 – 1 Denmark
1
France are first defending FIFA World Cup champions to advance to Round of 16 since 2006 Brazil.
Messi �� Maradona #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/vQcd5wU9ML
– ESPN India (@ESPNIndia) November 27, 2022
7
Mbappe scored his 6th and 7th World Cup goal against Denmark, tying Pele’s record (7) for most World Cup goals before turning 24. Mbappe also surpassed Thierry Henry for the second most World Cup goals by a Frenchman.
30
Mbappe now has 30 goals for France, the youngest player to do so. He has 14 more than any other player (Trezeguet at 16.)
4
Mbappe is just the 4th Frenchman to score multiple goals in multiple World Cups. He was part of France’s 2018 champion side.
9
France extended their unbeaten streak in the World Cup to 9 matches, tying with Netherlands for the longest active streak. They are 4 shy of the all-time record (Brazil from 1958-1966.)
Kylian Mbappe now has more World Cup goals for France than Thierry Henry, who played in four World Cups.
HE’S ONLY 23 YEARS OLD! �� pic.twitter.com/6HNV0eBhyk
– ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) November 26, 2022
Poland 2 – 0 Saudi Arabia
1
Robert Lewandowski scored his first career World Cup goal.
77
This was also Lewandowski’s 77th international goal for Poland, tying Pelé’s career total for Brazil.
34
Lewandowski became the oldest player to score for Poland at a World Cup at 34 years & 97 days.
Look at what it means to Lewy ❤️ pic.twitter.com/GWt1HXwoYI
– ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) November 26, 2022
Australia 1 – 0 Tunisia
7
Australia snapped their winless streak at the FIFA World Cup at 7. This was their first win since 2010 (vs Serbia.)
1
This was Australia’s first clean sheet win at a World Cup since 1974. The only other time they have conceded none was a 0-0 draw vs Chile in 1974.
(Stats courtesy: ESPN Stats and Information Group)
