Top Goals of the 2026 World Cup: From Messi and Mbappé’s Scoring Battles to Bellingham’s Solo Run

The 2026 World Cup, with its expanded format, saw more teams, matches, and goals than ever before. A total of 308 goals were scored across 48 nations, with England and France leading the charts at 20 goals each, closely followed by Argentina with 19. Spain, the tournament champions, scored 14 times while conceding only once.

Only Panama remained goalless, but many other teams delivered remarkable strikes that stood out amid the intense competition. Here are some of the most memorable goals of the tournament so far.

Ferran Torres’ Decisive Goal in the Final

The final between Spain and Argentina was a nail-biter, with Spain relentlessly attacking but unable to break through Emiliano Martínez’s goalkeeping heroics. After 20 shots and 11 saves, the breakthrough came early in the second period of extra time. Substitute Nico Williams headed the ball to Ferran Torres, who fired a left-footed shot past Martínez, securing a championship-winning goal for Spain.

Sidny Lopes Cabral’s Stunning Equalizer for Cape Verde

In a surprising extra-time clash against Argentina, Cape Verde’s Sidny Lopes Cabral delivered one of the tournament’s best goals. The small island nation, exceeding all expectations, had already pulled level once, and Cabral’s curling shot from the edge of the box found the right side of the net during extra time. Though an own goal later gave Argentina a 3-2 win, Cabral’s strike remains a highlight of Cape Verde’s historic run.

Lionel Messi’s Explosive Start

Messi began his World Cup campaign with a hat trick against Algeria, with his opening goal capturing his extraordinary skill. Ignoring passing options, he unleashed a powerful shot from the top of the penalty arc, setting the tone for Argentina’s strong showing. Heading into the final, Messi holds eight goals and a real chance at the Golden Boot.

Kylian Mbappé’s Record-Breaking Strike

Picking one goal from Mbappé’s ten is tough, but his second goal in the opener against Senegal stands out. Receiving the ball in space, he turned and launched a powerful long-range shot, helping France to a 3-1 victory. This goal marked his 14th World Cup tally, making him France’s all-time leading scorer. He finished the tournament with 22 World Cup goals, surpassing Messi’s record.

Wilson Isidor’s Memorable Goal for Haiti

During their first World Cup appearance in 52 years, Haiti briefly took the lead over Morocco thanks to Wilson Isidor’s fierce shot from outside the box. Despite Haiti exiting with no points, Isidor’s rocket left a lasting impression on fans and teammates alike.

Erling Haaland’s Clinical Finish Against Brazil

Norway’s return to the World Cup after 28 years was powered by Haaland’s impressive performance, scoring seven goals and finishing fourth in the Golden Boot race. One standout moment was his slick sliding shot past three Brazilian defenders and goalkeeper Alisson in the Round of 16, sealing Norway’s victory and signaling a bright future for the team.

Giovanni Reyna’s Beautiful Trivela

In the U.S. men’s team dominant opener against Paraguay, Giovanni Reyna made a late impact by curling a precise shot with the outside of his foot during stoppage time, capping off the match with style.

Julián Álvarez’s Long-Range Winner

Argentina’s tight match against Switzerland in the quarterfinals was broken open by Julián Álvarez’s stunning goal from distance in the 112th minute, securing a 3-1 victory.

Amad Diallo’s Historic Goal for Ivory Coast

Ivory Coast scored their first-ever knockout stage goal when Amad Diallo twisted past three Norwegian defenders and powered home the equalizer in the Round of 32. Though Norway eventually won 2-1, the goal marked a milestone for the Elephants.

Andreas Schjelderup’s Early Screamer for Norway

Schjelderup quietly made his mark in the quarterfinals with a powerful shot from the edge of the box that beat England’s Jordan Pickford, giving Norway an early lead in a match England eventually won. It felt like a promising moment for Norway’s squad.

Malik Tillman’s Free Kick Brilliance

Midfielder Malik Tillman scored two exceptional free kicks in consecutive knockout games for the U.S. First against Bosnia and Herzegovina, then against Belgium, where he curled a perfect shot past goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, demonstrating his skill despite the team’s eventual elimination.

Jude Bellingham’s Solo Masterpiece

In the third-place match, England’s Jude Bellingham produced a breathtaking solo effort. After collecting the ball near midfield, he drove through the French defense, weaving past multiple defenders before firing a fierce finish inside the box, restoring England’s two-goal lead in a thrilling contest.