Goal-den night for fans as big guns fire again, book knockout berths
Times of India | 24 June 2026
Kolkata: The big guns fired again at the World Cup on Monday, much to the delight of football lovers in the city and across the world. While Lionel Messi scored twice in Argentina’s 2-0 victory against Austria, French superstar Kylian Mbappe and Norway’s Erling Halland, too, came good on the same day, each scoring a brace as well.
The three stars have scored nine goals between them in just two games each has played.
Argentina fans went delirious as Messi started off from where he had left in the first match, when he scored a hat-trick against Algeria. But the start was disappointing. The legend missed a penalty, leaving hundreds of Argentina Fan Club members at Gangulybagan, who had gathered in front of a giant screen on Monday night, heartbroken. “But Messi soon proved why he is the world’s best. He remained unfazed and scored two goals that were simply outstanding. The precision of the shots, the way it literally pierced the Austrian defence was unbelievable,” said Uttam Saha of the fan club.
France’s 2-0 victory over Iraq, in which Mbappe scored both goals, left their fans just as delighted. The first goal was scored in Messi-style, a powerful left footer from a distance that left the Iraqi defence stunned. “Mbappe is going to be the star of this World Cup. The way he is moving with the ball and unleashing his powerful volleys and finding the net is ominous,” said Les Blues supporter Souvik De, a techie.
Kolkata fans in the US, too, celebrated and cheered Messi as he went on a rampage on the eve of his 39th birthday. California-based techie Sanjoy Chatterjee, cheered Messi along with his 12-year-old daughter Anousha and six-year-old son Ayaansh. “We all wore Argentina jerseys. It was unbelievable. Let Messi carry on like this,” said Chatterjee, a former student of South Point and IIT Kharagpur.
The dark horse at this World Cup could be Norway, believe a section of the fans. “Halland’s towering presence has lent weight to the team. He could have got a hat-trick against Senegal who played brilliantly. With Halland in great form, Norway looks set to cross the second round. I will be cheering for him,” said techie Raunak Majumdar, a Halland fan.