BBC Sport has ranked the top matches, moments, goals and players after two rounds of World Cup 2026 fixtures. The Uruguay-Cape Verde thriller topped the match list with its dramatic twists, while Lionel Messi's record-equaling hat-trick against Algeria led the moments category. Harry Kane matching Gary Lineker's England record and Jonathan David's hat-trick in Canada's first World Cup win also made the cut.

On the pitch, Messi leads the player rankings with five goals in two games, becoming the World Cup's all-time leading scorer at age 38. Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland round out the attacking stars, each scoring braces in their opening matches. Mbappe surpassed Olivier Giroud's France scoring record with his double against Senegal, while Haaland needed just 29 minutes to open his World Cup account.

The goal rankings feature Messi's long-range strike against Algeria and Mbappe's thunderous effort versus Senegal. Vinicius Jr's brilliant equalizer against Morocco showcased Brazil's quality, while Denmark's Munoz scored a spectacular flicked volley against Uzbekistan. These moments highlight the tournament's attacking flair and unexpected heroes emerging from smaller nations.

England's 4-2 victory over Croatia and Norway's 3-2 win against Senegal demonstrated the quality gap between established football nations and rising powers. The rankings reflect a tournament full of goals, drama and individual brilliance that sets up an exciting knockout stage. With 32 teams advancing, these early performances will define the competition's trajectory.