Kane, Bellingham brilliance after Messi magic shows this World Cup belongs to the stars

Story by

Kane, Bellingham brilliance after Messi magic shows this World Cup belongs to the stars

Jon Arnold, USA TODAYWed, Jun 17, 2026·5 min read

Editor's note: Follow all World Cup matches live today

ARLINGTON, TX — England’s two biggest names hopped on a World Cup trend Wednesday.

Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham both found the back of the net in England’s 4-2 win over Croatia, becoming the latest big stars to immediately find success at the 2026 World Cup.

AdvertisementAdvertisement

Bayern Munich forward Kane’s double, with a goal from the penalty spot and another from an unmarked header after a corner kick, and Real Madrid man Bellingham’s winner, came less than 24 hours after Lionel Messi’s superb hat trick for Argentina against Algeria. That put him tied atop the all-time Men’s World Cup scoring charts, which Kylian Mbappe had climbed earlier June 16 with a pair of goals against Senegal. The same day, Man City forward Erling Haaland ripped off a pair of goals on five shots for Norway in a 4-1 victory over Iraq, putting fuel on the bonfire that is Norway's chances to be a dark horse in this competition.

"Obviously I saw the guys scoring their goals yesterday. I don’t like to concentrate too much on other people, but I think it’s natural as a sportsman, as an athlete to try and reach the highest levels," Kane said after the match. "All of those guys started in a great way.

"I think, as a striker myself, obviously I want to get on the scoresheet as early as possible."

AdvertisementAdvertisement

This is shaping up to be a World Cup of the stars. After concerns about fitness, fatigue and longevity for many familiar and beloved names, some of the global game’s top figures have started off the World Cup in stunning style, leading their teams to early victories that set up many of the favorites for potentially deep runs.

To be fair, some of the biggest names in the sport also got off to strong starts in 2022. Bellingham helped England to a 6-2 win over Iran, Mbappe chipped in to France’s 4-1 win over Australia and Messi scored from the penalty spot, though the goal came in defeat to Saudi Arabia.

Argentine player Lionel Messi plays with a ball during a training session at Herzogs Park, Herzogenaurach on June 6, 2006, ahead of the Fifa World Cup 2006. (DANIEL GARCIA, AFP via Getty Images)

Argentine players Lionel Messi (R) and Fabricio Coloccini sign autographs for supporters during a training session at Herzogs Park, Herzogenaurach on June 6, 2006, ahead of the Fifa World Cup 2006. (DANIEL GARCIA, AFP via Getty Images)

Argentinian forward Lionel Messi blows a bubble ahead of the quarter-final World Cup football match between Germany and Argentina at Berlin's Olympic Stadium on June 30, 2006. (DANIEL GARCIA, AFP via Getty Images)

Argentina's footballer Lionel Messi shows off during a training session at the field of the Union Atletica in Maracaibo, Venezuela, on June 30, 2007. (ALEJANDRO PAGNI, AFP via Getty Images)

Argentina's coach Diego Maradona hugs Argentina's striker Lionel Messi after the 2010 World Cup quarter final Argentina vs Germany on July 3, 2010 at Green Point stadium in Cape Town. Germany won 4-0. (JAVIER SORIANO, AFP via Getty Images)

Argentina's forward and captain Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the Group F football match between Argentina and Bosnia Hercegovina at the Maracana Stadium in Rio De Janeiro during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 15, 2014. (JUAN MABROMATA, AFP via Getty Images)

A fan tries to kiss the feet of Argentina's Lionel Messi during the Russia 2018 World Cup qualifier football match against Uruguay in Mendoza, Argentina, on Sept. 1, 2016. (JUAN MABROMATA, AFP via Getty Images)

Argentina's forward Lionel Messi celebrates his goal during the Russia 2018 World Cup Group D football match between Nigeria and Argentina at the Saint Petersburg Stadium in Saint Petersburg on June 26, 2018. (KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV, AFP via Getty Images)

Lionel Messi of Argentina celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group D match between Nigeria and Argentina at Saint Petersburg Stadium on June 26, 2018 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. (Alex Livesey, Getty Images)

Brazil's Neymar (L) and Argentina's Lionel Messi talk before their South American qualification football match for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 at the Neo Quimica Arena, also known as Corinthians Arena, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on Sept. 5, 2021. (NELSON ALMEIDA, AFP via Getty Images)

Team Argentina with Lionel Messi (R) of Argentina sing their national anthem prior to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group C match between Argentina and Saudi Arabia at Lusail Stadium on Nov. 22, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar. (Matthias Hangst, Getty Images)

Lionel Messi of Argentina shows dejection during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group C match between Argentina and Saudi Arabia at Lusail Stadium on Nov. 22, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar. (Matthias Hangst, Getty Images)

Lionel Messi of Argentina is fouled by Wojciech Szczesny of Poland which leads to a penalty during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group C match between Poland and Argentina at Stadium 974 on Nov. 30, 2022 in Doha, Qatar. (Matthias Hangst, Getty Images)

Argentina's forward Lionel Messi celebrates after he scores his team's second goal from the penalty spot during the Qatar 2022 World Cup quarter-final football match between The Netherlands and Argentina at Lusail Stadium, north of Doha on Dec. 9, 2022. (FRANCK FIFE, AFP via Getty Images)

Fans of Argentina hold a flag depicting Argentine football stars Lionel Messi (L) and late Diego Maradona (R) while gathering at the Obelisk to celebrate winning the Qatar 2022 World Cup against France in Buenos Aires, on Dec. 18, 2022. (EMILIANO LASALVIA, AFP via Getty Images)

Lionel Messi of Argentina celebrates with teammates after scoring the team's first goal during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Final match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium on Dec.18, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar. (Richard Heathcote, Getty Images)

Argentina's forward Lionel Messi kicks the ball during the Qatar 2022 World Cup final football match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, north of Doha on Dec. 18, 2022. (KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV, AFP via Getty Images)

Lionel Messi of Argentina scores the team's third goal past Hugo Lloris of France during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Final match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium on Dec. 18, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar. (Julian Finney, Getty Images)

Lionel Messi of Argentina kisses the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Winner's Trophy while holding the adidas Golden Boot award after the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Final match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium on Dec. 18, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar. (Julian Finney, Getty Images)

Lionel Messi of Argentina lifts the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Winner's Trophy during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Final match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium on Dec.18, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar. (Julian Finney, Getty Images)

1 / 20

Look back as Lionel Messi makes history with sixth World Cup showing

Argentine player Lionel Messi plays with a ball during a training session at Herzogs Park, Herzogenaurach on June 6, 2006, ahead of the Fifa World Cup 2006. (DANIEL GARCIA, AFP via Getty Images)

There also are exceptions. Lamine Yamal made only a cameo as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury and wasn’t able to find a winning goal in Spain’s draw with Cape Verde. Earlier on Wednesday, Cristiano Ronaldo tried three shots but put none of them on target in Portugal’s draw with DR Congo.

But even with the expanded World Cup field potentially leading to more moments where the sport’s top stars can shine, some of the performances have come against other strong squads. Kane and Bellingham did their damage against perennial late-stagers Croatia on Wednesday, while Mbappe got rolling against Senegal, the African champions (with the usual caveats here about the paperwork being done that may strip them of that title).

AdvertisementAdvertisement

Perhaps the tournament will shift from a World Cup of stars to a World Cup of load management in the next week or two. If France, Argentina and England sew up the top of their groups by winning a second game, managers surely will be tempted to rest their biggest stars ahead of the longest-ever World Cup knockout round.

**1930**- Uruguay defeats Argentina 4-2 in the first World Cup event held in Uruguay.
(AFP via Getty Images)

**1934**- Italy over Czechoslovakia 2-1.
(Keystone, Getty Images)

**1938**- Italy defeats Hungary 4-2. The World Cup would not be played again until 1950 because of the Second World War.
(AFP via Getty Images)

**1950**- Uruguay wins it's second World Cup with a 2-1 win over Brazil.
(AFP via Getty Images)

**1954**- Germany wins 3-2 over Hungary.
(Keystone, Getty Images)

**1958**- Brazil celebrates by running with the flag of Sweden after defeating them 5-2.
(Keystone, Getty Images)

**1962**- Brazil 3-1 over Czechoslovakia.
(Keystone, Getty Images)

**1966**- England defeats Germany 4-2 in England.
(Keystone, Getty Images)

**1970**- Brazil wins 4-1 over Italy in Mexico.
(Action Images / Sporting Picture via Reuters)

**1974**- Germany wins at home in Munich over Netherlands, 2-1.
(AFP via Getty Images)

**1978**- Argentina wins it's first World Cup 3-1 over Netherlands in Argentina.
(AFP via Getty Images)

**1982**- Italy wins it's third championship over Germany 3-1.
(Action Images / Sporting Picture via Reuters)

**1986**- Argentina wins over Germany 3-2.
(AFP via Getty Images)

**1990**- Germany gets revenge on Argentina 1-0.
(Tom Szlukovenyi, Reuters)

**1994**- Brazil defeats Italy 3-2 in penalties in Pasadena, Calif.
(MIKE NELSON, AFP via Getty Images)

**1998**- France wins it's first cup over Brazil, 3-0.
(PATRICK HERTZOG, AFP via Getty Images)

**2002**- Brazil defeats Germany, 2-0.
(ANTONIO SCORZA, AFP via Getty Images)

**2006**- Italy beats France 5-3 in penalties.
(PATRIK STOLLARZ, AFP via Getty Images)

**2010**- Spain defeats Netherlands 1-0 in South Africa.
(ROBERTO SCHMIDT, AFP via Getty Images)

**2018**- France 4-2 over Croatia.
(ALEXANDER NEMENOV, AFP via Getty Images)

**2022**- Argentina wins it's third World Cup defeating France 4-2 in penalties.

(ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT, AFP via Getty Images)

1 / 21

Every World Cup soccer champion since 1930 in photos

1930- Uruguay defeats Argentina 4-2 in the first World Cup event held in Uruguay.

(AFP via Getty Images)

Depth is necessary to win the tournament, and England flashed the attacking riches it has in the 72nd minute when manager Thomas Tuchel put three attackers into the game that would start for almost any nation. Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford and Morgan Rogers all entered, refreshing the attacking line. Saka set up Rashford for an 85th-minute goal that gave England a larger cushion.

Even the players competing for a starting role on England recognize that the team may go as its stars go.

"Jude’s one of the best players in the world," said Rogers, who also plays the playmaker role where Bellingham lines up. "I know that, and if we’re going to do well in this tournament, he’s going to have to be at the forefront of it."

AdvertisementAdvertisement

The contests late in the group stage also provide opportunities for continual rhythm-building − or stat-padding if a star or team decide it’s worth chasing a Golden Boot at the potential expense of the golden trophy awarded at the end of the competition.

Whether it be for momentum or for added glory, Kane said the excellent individual play from Haaland, Messi, Mbappe and Co. will spur him forward, even subconsciously.

"I think in the back of the mind, that competition helps me to push my levels," the England forward said. "That’s what the World Cup is for: For the best players to perform at the highest levels, so it’s nice to get a couple today, for sure."

Certainly, the World Cup is about the stories that bubble up from under the surface onto everyone’s radar: Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha becoming a social media star after his performance against Spain, the University of Kansas community saying, “Rock Chalk, Algeria!” as they host the North Africans, Curacao scoring in its World Cup debut, Europeans explaining Waffle House. Those are the stories that make up the narrative of the first week of the World Cup, when every qualified team still has a chance, and fans are getting to know some of the new faces.

May you like

Prediction markets / Tennis / ATP Challenger NewportMilavsky vs BuD. Milavsky5412987654321098765432109876543210¢—90987654321098765...

Prediction markets / Tennis / ATP Challenger BogotaMejia vs Rodriguez TavernaN. Mejia20981987654321098765432109876543210¢—19987654...

Prediction markets / Tennis / WTA 125K NewportBrantmeier vs MandlikR. Brantmeier6941987654321098765432109876543210¢—60987654321098...

AdvertisementAdvertisement

For now, though, it is still the first week of the tournament and it is the familiar faces who are already making it clear: The biggest names in the sport are chasing the biggest prize, and they’re not taking any time to start the hunt.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Kane, Bellingham, Messi show 2026 World Cup belongs to the stars

Look back as Lionel Messi makes history with sixth World Cup showing

Look back as Lionel Messi makes history with sixth World Cup showing

Look back as Lionel Messi makes history with sixth World Cup showing

Look back as Lionel Messi makes history with sixth World Cup showing

Look back as Lionel Messi makes history with sixth World Cup showing

Look back as Lionel Messi makes history with sixth World Cup showing

Look back as Lionel Messi makes history with sixth World Cup showing

Look back as Lionel Messi makes history with sixth World Cup showing

Look back as Lionel Messi makes history with sixth World Cup showing

Look back as Lionel Messi makes history with sixth World Cup showing

Look back as Lionel Messi makes history with sixth World Cup showing

Look back as Lionel Messi makes history with sixth World Cup showing

Look back as Lionel Messi makes history with sixth World Cup showing

Look back as Lionel Messi makes history with sixth World Cup showing

Look back as Lionel Messi makes history with sixth World Cup showing

Look back as Lionel Messi makes history with sixth World Cup showing

Look back as Lionel Messi makes history with sixth World Cup showing

Look back as Lionel Messi makes history with sixth World Cup showing

Look back as Lionel Messi makes history with sixth World Cup showing

Look back as Lionel Messi makes history with sixth World Cup showing

Look back as Lionel Messi makes history with sixth World Cup showing

Every World Cup soccer champion since 1930 in photos

Every World Cup soccer champion since 1930 in photos

Every World Cup soccer champion since 1930 in photos

Every World Cup soccer champion since 1930 in photos

Every World Cup soccer champion since 1930 in photos

Every World Cup soccer champion since 1930 in photos

Every World Cup soccer champion since 1930 in photos

Every World Cup soccer champion since 1930 in photos

Every World Cup soccer champion since 1930 in photos

Every World Cup soccer champion since 1930 in photos

Every World Cup soccer champion since 1930 in photos

Every World Cup soccer champion since 1930 in photos

Every World Cup soccer champion since 1930 in photos

Every World Cup soccer champion since 1930 in photos

Every World Cup soccer champion since 1930 in photos

Every World Cup soccer champion since 1930 in photos

Every World Cup soccer champion since 1930 in photos

Every World Cup soccer champion since 1930 in photos

Every World Cup soccer champion since 1930 in photos

Every World Cup soccer champion since 1930 in photos

Every World Cup soccer champion since 1930 in photos

Every World Cup soccer champion since 1930 in photos

May you like

Other posts