Messi Ties Klose's World Cup Record as Tottenham Land Van Hecke

Last Updated on June 19, 2026

Lionel Messi’s hat-trick against Algeria ties Miroslav Klose’s all-time World Cup scoring record, Tottenham spend £52m on Van Hecke, and FIFA’s hydration breaks continue to divide coaches and fans across the 2026 World Cup.

Messi Hat-Trick Against Algeria Ties Klose’s All-Time World Cup Scoring Record

Lionel Messi writes his name into the record books once again, scoring all three goals in Argentina’s 3-0 group-stage victory over Algeria to equal Miroslav Klose’s all-time World Cup scoring record. The Argentine captain’s third goal of the night draws him level with the German legend, leaving Argentina in a commanding position in their group as defending champions.

Algeria midfielder Ibrahim Maza — who plays his club football for Bayern Munich — performs well throughout and even assists on an Algeria goal that is ruled offside. But like every other player on the pitch, Maza finds himself with a front-row seat to a Messi masterclass. He emerges wearily from behind a curtain post-match, struggling to articulate precisely what makes Argentina’s captain so unplayable. Maza had been just a few yards away when Messi scored the record-tying third.

Argentina’s players and staff insist Messi does not fixate on personal milestones — his teammates say the mark simply does not matter to him. The footballing world, however, takes notice regardless. Now standing level at the very summit of World Cup scoring history, Messi continues to perform at the highest level in 2026. The 3-0 margin over Algeria gives La Albiceleste a statement result as they chase a third consecutive World Cup title.

Tottenham Splash £52m on Van Hecke to Bolster Leaky Defence

Tottenham Hotspur strengthen their backline with the signing of Dutch centre-back Jan Paul van Hecke, 26, from Brighton & Hove Albion. Spurs confirm the deal on their official website, with transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reporting a fee of £52 million — approximately 668 million Norwegian krone.

Van Hecke reunites with manager Roberto De Zerbi, who coached him during their time together at Brighton. The Italian now brings the Dutchman with him to north London, and Van Hecke makes no secret of his delight at the move. "It is an enormous honour to become a Tottenham player, and a dream come true to sign for such a great club," Van Hecke says in a statement.

The transfer reflects the urgency of Tottenham’s summer rebuild. Spurs finish 17th in the 2024-25 Premier League — just one place above the relegation zone — barely surviving on the final day. Van Hecke, who establishes himself as one of Brighton’s most reliable defenders under De Zerbi at the Amex Stadium, brings both Premier League pedigree and familiarity with his new manager’s system. The addition addresses a defensive frailty that haunts Spurs all of last season.

Tactical Tool or TV Cash Cow? World Cup Hydration Breaks Divide Opinion

FIFA’s mandatory three-minute hydration breaks, scheduled halfway through each half at the 2026 World Cup, continue to polarise players, coaches and fans. At the Ghana-Panama match in Toronto, spectators boo loudly despite temperatures of just 20 degrees Celsius and steady rain — a scene that repeats itself in stadiums across the United States, Canada and Mexico. Similar crowd reactions greet the breaks at Norway-Iraq, England-Croatia, Sweden-Tunisia and Spain-Cape Verde.

Some coaches are blunt in their scepticism. Norway manager Stale Solbakken says the breaks make sense in extreme heat — such as the 35-degree conditions his side faces in Greensboro — but questions their necessity elsewhere. Spain’s Luis de la Fuente echoes the sentiment, asking whether breaks are truly needed when conditions are comfortable. Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman takes a more pragmatic stance, noting the stoppages allow him to deliver real-time corrections.

The data backs the coaches up: in eight of the first 16 World Cup matches, a goal is scored within 10 minutes of a hydration break. Germany’s turnaround against Curaçao is the starkest example — after Curaçao equalise and win a break, they lose the thread completely and go down 7-1. Virgil van Dijk sums up many fans’ frustration: "I don’t like it. For the neutral supporter, it’s nothing either." Broadcasters air commercials during the pauses, a fact that Panama coach Thomas Christiansen acknowledges plainly: "We have to accept that the television advertisers are paying for all of this."

Koopmeiners Hints at Fresh Set-Piece Tricks Ahead of Netherlands vs Sweden

Teun Koopmeiners is relaxed and upbeat in Kansas City ahead of the Netherlands’ second World Cup group match against Sweden in Houston on Saturday at 7pm Dutch time. The Juventus midfielder — who creates the stunning 2-2 equaliser against Argentina at the 2022 World Cup with an inventive free-kick routine — hints that his set-piece arsenal still holds surprises.

"Everything gets thought about, including little tricks," Koopmeiners says with a laugh. "But it would be very stupid to put that on the table now." The 28-year-old finishes the 2024-25 Serie A season without a single goal or assist across 33 appearances for Juventus, who finish a disappointing sixth, but he remains composed. "I’ve never been a guaranteed first-choice starter for the Netherlands. That’s what you work for, of course. But I’m down to earth — I know my own qualities, and those of others," he says.

Coach Ronald Koeman experiments with Koopmeiners as a right winger in a March friendly against Norway — a role the player says suits his game by giving Denzel Dumfries licence to bomb forward on the overlap. "I can play into the box with my left foot, I take the set pieces, and I can create space for Dumfries. It’s a position I actually enjoy," Koopmeiners says. Netherlands lost on penalties to eventual champions Argentina in Qatar, and Koopmeiners believes the squad has the quality to go deep again in 2026.

Eskås Becomes First Norwegian to Referee a Men’s World Cup Match in 24 Years

Espen Eskås makes history as the first Norwegian to take charge of a men’s World Cup match in 24 years, appointed by FIFA to referee Uruguay versus Cape Verde in Miami. The group-stage match kicks off at midnight Norwegian time on Sunday, with the last Norwegian to officiate a men’s World Cup game being Terje Hauge, who referees Cameroon versus Saudi Arabia at the 2002 tournament in Japan and South Korea.

Eskås arrives in the United States with strong credentials, having refereed in the UEFA Champions League and other European competition in recent seasons. He also officiates at the Club World Cup in the United States last year. His assistant referees, Isaak Bashevkin and Jan Erik Engan, join him on the lines in Miami, with both also representing the Norwegian officiating community at the tournament. Eskås says receiving the World Cup call-up in April brings him pure euphoria after a long period of uncertainty.

In Brief

Several rule changes trialled at the 2026 World Cup — including stricter timekeeping and electronic countdown clocks — are set to be adopted by the Danish Superliga next season. However, the mandatory hydration break will not carry over to the Danish top flight, according to reports.

Ofte stillede spørgsmål