World Cup 2026 Day 13: Haaland double sinks Senegal; Messi, Mbappé make history; England face Ghana

Day 13 of the 2026 World Cup served up a feast of goals, milestones, and a monsoon in Philadelphia. The action-packed slate saw Norway outlast Senegal in a five-goal classic, history made by Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé, and England on the brink of a decisive clash with Ghana.

Haaland and Sarr trade blows

The headline act came from the Group F duel between Norway and Senegal at Lincoln Financial Field. Torrential rain turned the pitch into a lake, but that didn't stop Erling Haaland. The Norwegian bulldozer came alive in the second half, bagging two superbly taken efforts that left Senegal with too much to do. Yet the Lions of Teranga refused to roll over. Ismaïla Sarr grabbed a brace of his own, making it a 3-2 humdinger that had neutrals on the edge of their seats. Haaland's performance cements his status as the tournament's most feared striker, but Senegal's fight impressed as well. They gave it a good go, and Sarr's double will keep him in the Golden Boot conversation.

Messi and Mbappé rewrite the record books

Elsewhere, Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé continued their assault on World Cup history. Messi, already the competition's all-time appearances leader, added another goal or assist (exact details unconfirmed) to extend his legacy. Mbappé, meanwhile, notched his second brace of the tournament — a double that moves him into exclusive company. Both players are in scintillating form, and their exploits have set up a fascinating race for the Golden Boot. With Haaland also on a hot streak, the scoring charts are tighter than ever.

England brace for Ghana test

The evening fixture sees England take on Ghana in a pivotal Group B encounter. The Three Lions need a result to secure top spot and avoid a potential heavyweight clash in the knockout rounds. Ghana, buoyed by a passionate fanbase, will be no pushovers. Expect a high-tempo battle with plenty of Premier League quality on display. England manager Gareth Southgate is likely to rotate his lineup after a comfortable win over Iran, but the core of Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane should start.

What it means for the knockout rounds

With the group stage entering its final days, every result carries outsized weight. Norway's victory puts them in pole position to advance, while Senegal face a must-win final match. Messi and Mbappé's continued brilliance suggests they will be the men to stop in the knockouts. For England, a win over Ghana would set up a round-of-16 tie against a third-place qualifier — a path that could avoid the tournament's heavyweights until later. Day 13 proved once again that this World Cup is delivering unforgettable drama, rain or shine.