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Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland dazzle on same day at the World Cup
By Stephen Whyno, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC)
· June 23, 2026
· 3 min read
After Lionel Messi scored two goals to set the World Cup record and Kylian Mbappé kept pace in the career chase, Erling Haaland delivered another dazzling performance on a showcase day for the tournament's top stars.Haaland scored twice for Norway in the first 15 minutes of the second half of a 3...
Key takeaway Haaland scored twice for Norway in the first 15 minutes of the second half of a 3-2 win over Senegal on Monday night, making up for clanking a shot off the post and getting denied on a header just before halftime.
Why this matters in The Pearland
The World Cup's top stars putting on a show has a direct connection to Pearland , given that one of the matches that propelled Lionel Messi to the top of the career scoring leaderboard took place in nearby Arlington, Texas. This proximity to international soccer action can have a tangible impact on the local community, potentially inspiring young players in Pearland's own soccer programs. As Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappé, and Messi continue to dazzle on the global stage, their performances may spark increased interest in the sport among Pearland residents, leading to growth in local soccer participation and viewership. With Norway's Erling Haaland making history as part of a less experienced team, his success story could particularly resonate with Pearland's own athletes competing at various levels, showing that with dedication and talent, they too can achieve greatness on a global scale.
About this story
Original reporting by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . The Pearland surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 23, 2026 ·
Source: KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? After Lionel Messi scored two goals to set the World Cup record and Kylian Mbappé kept pace in the career chase, Erling Haaland delivered another dazzling performance on a showcase day for the tournament's top stars.Haaland scored twice for Norway in the first 15 minutes of the second half of a 3...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 23, 2026 by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) and curated for The Pearland readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Stephen Whyno, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC). To learn more about how The Pearland selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Pearland, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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