World Cup
BET9JA FACT FILE: Kane And Bellingham Make World Cup History For England
England’s dynamic duo of Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham have etched their names into FIFA World Cup history after each reaching six goals at the FIFA World Cup 2026.
For the first time since the World Cup began in 1930, two players from the same nation have scored more than five goals in a single World Cup edition. This is an indication of England’s remarkable attacking power on their run to the semi-finals.
Harry Kane, or Hurricane if you like, England’s captain and all-time leading scorer, has once again delivered on the biggest stage, while Bellingham has emerged as one of the tournament’s standout performers, combining goals, leadership and match-winning displays.
The Historic Numbers
- Harry Kane: 6 goals
- Jude Bellingham: 6 goals
- Combined tally: 12 goals
- World Cup record: First pair of teammates from the same country to each score more than five goals in one tournament.
England’s Twin Threat
The achievement reflects England’s balanced attack, with Kane providing his trademark finishing and Bellingham contributing from midfield. Their goals have been instrumental in guiding the Three Lions deep into the tournament.
Chasing The Golden Boot
With England still in contention, both players remain in the race for the tournament’s Golden Boot and could extend a record that no other nation has managed in nearly a century of World Cup football.
Did You Know?
Before Kane and Bellingham’s feat, several nations had produced a single prolific scorer in a World Cup, but no country had ever seen two players score six or more goals in the same edition.
Bet9ja Stat
6 + 6 = 12 — Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham have become the first teammates from the same nation to score more than five goals each in a single FIFA World Cup tournament, setting a new benchmark for attacking partnerships on football’s grandest stage.
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Ahead of this Wednesday’s semi-final clash with England, Argentina have rewritten FIFA World Cup history by becoming the first team ever to score two or more goals in 12 consecutive World Cup matches.
The South Americans surpassed the previous record of 11 straight World Cup games with at least two goals, a mark established by Uruguay between the inaugural tournament in 1930 and the 1954 World Cup.
The Albiceleste’s remarkable scoring streak underlines their attacking consistency and highlights why they remain one of the favourites to lift the FIFA World Cup 2026 trophy.
The Record
- Argentina: 12 consecutive World Cup matches with 2+ goals
- Previous Record: Uruguay – 11 consecutive matches (1930-1954)
Argentina’s 12-Match Streak
The run stretches across the latter stages of the Qatar 2022 World Cup and the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2026, showcasing an attack that has consistently delivered on football’s biggest stage.
Why It Matters
- It is the longest scoring streak of its kind in FIFA World Cup history.
- The achievement demonstrates Argentina’s ability to combine attacking flair with remarkable consistency across multiple tournaments.
- The record has been achieved against opponents from different confederations and in both knockout and group-stage matches.
World Cup Pedigree
Argentina are three-time FIFA World Cup champions and have reached the latter stages of the competition once again in 2026. Their latest record adds another chapter to the country’s rich World Cup legacy.
Bet9ja Stat
12 – Consecutive FIFA World Cup matches in which Argentina have scored at least two goals, the longest such streak by any nation in tournament history, surpassing Uruguay’s previous record of 11 set between 1930 and 1954.
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BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
Spain moved within one victory of a second FIFA World Cup title after defeating France 2-0 in the semi-finals on Tuesday, producing a composed and disciplined performance to book their place in Sunday’s final.
The victory came exactly two years after Spain’s triumph at UEFA Euro 2022 and keeps alive their dream of repeating the historic feat they achieved in 2010 when they won the World Cup as reigning European champions.
For France, however, the defeat carried an added layer of disappointment as it came on Bastille Day, the country’s national holiday commemorating the French Revolution of 1789 and the birth of the modern French Republic.
Dejected France players leave the pitch after their 2-0 defeat to Spain in the FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas, USA, on July 14, 2026. The loss, suffered on France’s Bastille Day national holiday, ended Les Bleus’ hopes of reaching a second consecutive World Cup final. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Maria Lysaker
They were aiming to become the next country after Brazil to reach the World Cup final match on three consecutive editions.
After an evenly contested opening, Spain gradually asserted control through their trademark possession-based approach, dictating the tempo and limiting France’s attacking opportunities.
The breakthrough arrived in the 22nd minute when teenage sensation Lamine Yamal was brought down inside the penalty area by Lucas Digne. Mikel Oyarzabal calmly converted the resulting spot-kick, sending goalkeeper Mike Maignan the wrong way to give Spain a deserved lead.
France struggled to create clear-cut chances against a well-organised Spanish side that maintained control of possession and territory for much of the encounter.
Spain effectively sealed victory in the 58th minute through Pedro Porro. The defender exchanged a clever one-two with Dani Olmo before racing through on goal and finishing confidently past Maignan to double his side’s advantage.
The second goal further tightened Spain’s grip on the match, with France unable to find a way back despite their efforts to increase the pressure in the closing stages.
The win sends Spain into their first World Cup final since lifting the trophy in South Africa in 2010. They will now face either England or Argentina in Sunday’s showpiece at New York/New Jersey Stadium as they seek to become world champions for the second time.
Having already conquered Europe, Spain are now just one match away from completing another remarkable double and etching their name once more into football history.
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As France and Spain prepare for another high-stakes showdown, two names stand out for their decisive impact in recent meetings between the European giants: Kylian Mbappé and Lamine Yamal.
Mbappé’s Final Word
France captain Kylian Mbappé was the match-winner the last time his country defeated Spain in a major final. In the 2020/21 UEFA Nations League final in Milan, Spain struck first through Mikel Oyarzabal before Karim Benzema levelled matters. Mbappé then delivered the decisive goal as France secured a 2-1 victory and lifted the trophy.
That remains France’s most notable recent success against Spain, who have since gained the upper hand in the rivalry.
Yamal’s Semi-Final Speciality
If Mbappé has been France’s hero against Spain, teenage sensation Lamine Yamal has become Les Bleus’ tormentor.
Remarkably, three of Yamal’s seven international goals for Spain have come against France, and all of them have been scored in semi-final matches.
His first strike came in Spain’s 2-1 victory over France in the UEFA EURO 2024 semi-finals, a goal that announced his arrival on the biggest stage.
He followed that up with an even more devastating display in the 2024/25 UEFA Nations League semi-finals, scoring twice as Spain edged France 5-4 in a thrilling encounter.
By The Numbers
- 3 – Goals scored by Lamine Yamal against France.
- 7 – Total international goals scored by Yamal for Spain.
- 43% – Percentage of Yamal’s Spain goals scored against France.
- 2 – Consecutive victories for Spain over France in recent meetings.
- 1 – Nations League final won by France over Spain, courtesy of Mbappé’s winner in 2021.
The Key Battle
As the World Cup semi-final approaches, France will once again look to Mbappé for inspiration, while Spain will hope Yamal can continue his remarkable habit of producing his best against Les Bleus.
History suggests that when these two footballing powers meet, one of these stars usually has the final say.
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