Lionel Messi scored Argentina's equalizer against Egypt, matching a historic 96-year-old record held by Guillermo Stabile.
Lionel Messi continues to rewrite the record books at the 2026 World Cup. The captain scored for Argentina in the Round of 16 clash against Egypt at Atlanta Stadium to level the score, and in doing so matched a mark that had stood untouched for nearly a century.
Trailing 2-1, Argentina pushed for the equalizer, and they’d find it after a scramble of rebounds inside the box, where Messi found space to meet the loose ball and drilled a powerful strike that was impossible to stop, leveling the score.
With that strike, the Argentine captain moved to eight goals in this year’s tournament, matching Guillermo Stabile’s long-standing record of eight goals in a single World Cup edition, set at the inaugural 1930 tournament — a mark that had stood for 96 years.
MESSI’S 8TH GOAL OF THE TOURNAMENT DRAWS ARGENTINA LEVEL WITH EGYPT 🇦🇷
Argentina face Egypt in a crucial Round of 16 duel at the 2026 World Cup, where Thiago Almada will start the match from the bench.
Argentina face Egypt in the Round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup at Atlanta Stadium, and manager Lionel Scaloni has made a tactical change, leaving Thiago Almada out of his starting eleven.
Scaloni is set to send out four midfielders, Rodrigo De Paul, Leandro Paredes, Enzo Fernandez, and Alexis Mac Allister, behind a front two of Lionel Messi and Julian Alvarez.
The switch to a 4-4-2 shape means there’s no room for Almada, who had been operating as part of a front three in a 4-3-3 through Argentina’s first two matches of the tournament and against Cape Verde in the Round of 32 clash.
The decision is purely tactical rather than a reflection of any single poor performance, coming down to the shape Scaloni wants on the pitch against Egypt rather than any specific issue with Almada himself.
— Selección Argentina in English (@AFASeleccionEN) July 7, 2026
Scaloni makes more changes to face Egypt
Almada’s absence isn’t the only one Argentina’s lineup will feature compared to their previous matches. Alongside the Atletico Madrid attacking midfielder, Scaloni also decided to leave Lautaro Martinez and Facundo Medina on the bench.
Martinez had started in all four of Argentina’s matches so far, but Scaloni opted to use Julian Alvarez from the opening whistle instead, in a purely tactical decision. The Inter Milan forward is in peak physical condition, carrying no injury of any kind, and will be available among the substitutes, ready to come on if the flow of the match calls for it in the second half.
As for Medina, the left-back finished the match against Cape Verde exhausted, which is why the coach opted to use Nicolas Tagliafico on the left side from the start of the match instead.
A true David versus Goliath 2026 World Cup Round of 16 tie unfolds in Atlanta, where Egypt take on defending champions Argentina in a first-ever World Cup meeting between the two nations. Egypt enter the match at No. 24 in the latest FIFA World Ranking, with 1,597.04 points, a gap of more than 300 points […]
A true David versus Goliath 2026 World CupRound of 16 tie unfolds in Atlanta, where Egypt take on defending champions Argentina in a first-ever World Cup meeting between the two nations.
Egypt enter the match at No. 24 in the latest FIFA World Ranking, with 1,597.04 points, a gap of more than 300 points separating them from their opponent. Hossam Hassan’s men went unbeaten through Group G, opening with a 1-1 draw against Belgium, following it with a 3-1 win over New Zealand, and closing with another 1-1 stalemate against Iran, good enough for five points and second place behind the Belgians.
That group-stage form carried into the Round of 32, where Egypt needed a penalty shootout to see off Australia after a 1-1 draw through extra time, delivering the country’s first-ever World Cup knockout win and setting up just its second-ever Round of 16 appearance, the first having come all the way back in 1934.
Standing in Egypt’s way is an Argentina side ranked No. 2 in the world, with 1,913.71 points. Lionel Scaloni’s men steamrolled through Group J with a perfect nine points, beating Algeria 3-0, Austria 2-0, and Jordan 3-1, before needing extra time themselves to get past a stubborn Cape Verde side 3-2 in the Round of 32.
Egypt players celebrate Mohamed Salah’s penalty vs Australia. (Getty Images)
Egypt chasing history against the defending champions
Few storylines at this World Cup have been as compelling as Egypt’s run so far, a campaign already defined by a handful of tournament records. The Pharaohs have scored six goals through four matches, the most in a single edition in team history.
Much of Egypt’s hopes rest on the shoulders of Mohamed Salah, squaring off in a highly anticipated individual duel against Lionel Messi, who leads the tournament’s Golden Boot race level with Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland at seven goals apiece.
Should Egypt find a way through, they would become just the fifth African nation in history to reach the World Cup quarterfinals, joining Cameroon, Senegal, Ghana, and Morocco.
A win, by any scoreline, would send Egypt through to a quarterfinal meeting with the winner of Switzerland and Colombia in Kansas City on July 11 — and stand as one of the biggest upsets of this year’s tournament.
Following Argentina's overtime win over Cape Verde, several players ended up exhausted, but reports indicate there's no risk of injury.
Argentina’shard-fought 3-2overtime win over Cape Verde in the 2026 World Cup Round of 32 left more than a few scares along the way, with several players pushed to their physical limits across the full 120 minutes in Miami.
The grueling nature of the match raised genuine concern within the coaching staff, given how little recovery time separates this round from the Round of 16 clash against Egypt, set for July 7 at Atlanta Stadium.
With barely three training sessions standing between the two matches, Lionel Scaloni‘s medical staff spent the days that followed closely monitoring three players in particular who showed signs of physical distress during the win.
Three names in particular stood out among those the medical staff kept a close eye on in the aftermath of the win: Facundo Medina, Enzo Fernandez, and Nicolas Gonzalez, each dealing with a different physical issue that surfaced during the demanding 120 minutes against Cape Verde.
— Selección Argentina in English (@AFASeleccionEN) July 4, 2026
Fortunately for Argentina, initial fears proved overblown. According to ESPN’s Martin Arevalo, none of the affected players are considered to be dealing with anything serious, and all three are expected to be available, in some capacity, for the Round of 16 matchup.
Facundo Medina
Medina, who had won the starting left-back role thanks to a strong group stage, set off alarm bells when he went down shortly after Argentina had already used up its substitution windows, eventually having to walk off with visible difficulty.
“He ended up very tired because we used him a lot going forward. He played in several positions and ended up with cramps, but he’s fine,” Scaloni said in his press conference, playing down the severity of the issue.
Enzo Fernandez
“Enzo cramped up a little but recovered afterward. He cramped up again but we didn’t have any substitution windows left,” Scaloni explained after the match, making clear that the Chelsea midfielder is healthy despite what happened on the pitch.
Fernandez himself downplayed the issue once the final whistle blew. “I cramped up around the 75th, 80th minute. You always have to give a little extra with the national team. It reminds me of when I was a kid and always dreamed of being here. That’s always an extra boost,” he told TyC Sports after the game.
Nicolas Gonzalez
Gonzalez suffered a twisted left ankle that left him limping for several minutes. He was able to continue and finish the match regardless. While the injury could have been more serious, he took part in regenerative training with the group on Friday and did not undergo any further medical scans, a reassuring sign for his availability going forward.
France and Morocco will meet in a crucial and highly anticipated World Cup 2026 quarterfinal clash, both looking to secure a place among the tournament's best four teams.
France and Morocco both advanced through the 2026 World Cup Round of 16, booking their spots in the quarterfinals and setting up a heavyweight clash between two of the tournament’s most dangerous sides. The date, kickoff time, and venue for the matchup have already been confirmed.
Morocco got the day’s action started with a 3-0 win over co-hosts Canada in Houston. Azzedine Ounahi did the early damage with a brace either side of the hour mark, before substitute Soufiane Rahimi added a third in stoppage time to send the Atlas Lions through to a second straight World Cup quarterfinal.
France followed with a hard-fought win of their own over Paraguay in Philadelphia, breaking through in the 70th minute when Kylian Mbappe converted from the penalty spot after a VAR review overturned a missed foul on Desire Doue.
Didier Deschamps‘ men, playing without the injured Aurelien Tchouameni, struggled to create clean chances against a stubborn Paraguayan defense for long stretches, but the penalty proved enough to secure a 1-0 win.
When and where will France and Morocco clash in the quarterfinals?
France and Morocco will meet next Thursday, July 9, at 4:00 PM ET, in what shapes up as one of the standout matchups of the entire knockout stage. Both sides arrive in red-hot form, with France yet to concede more than a single goal in any match this tournament, and Morocco unbeaten across their last 34 outings on the international stage.
The two nations haven’t crossed paths in a competitive fixture since Morocco’s historic run to the 2022 semifinals in Qatar, when France ultimately went on to reach the final. This time, both sides arrive with legitimate title aspirations rather than just underdog status.
Which stadium will host France vs Morocco?
The venue for the match is Boston Stadium, which has already hosted several matches at this year’s World Cup and is expected to be at capacity once again for this quarterfinal.
Home of the New England Patriots, the stadium is expected to welcome a sellout crowd of around 65,878 fans, setting the stage for what could be one of the most closely contested quarterfinals of the tournament, with a semifinal berth on the line.
Kylian Mbappe of France and Achraf Hakimi of Morocco.
Canada were eliminated from the 2026 World Cup after falling 3-0 to Morocco, and coach Jesse Marsch explained why he decided not to use Alphonso Davies.
Canada’s historic World Cup run came to an end with a 3-0 loss to Morocco in the Round of 16 at Houston Stadium, and head coach Jesse Marsch addressed why star fullback Alphonso Davies didn’t feature in the loss.
Speaking after the match in his press conference, Marsch explained that a minor scare in the days leading up to the game led the coaching staff to hold Davies back entirely rather than risk his recovery from the hamstring injury that had already cost him the group stage.
“He had a hamstring injury that he was recovering from. He was on a very linear path up until two days ago, and then he felt a little something. It turned out that it wasn’t anything significant, but he didn’t feel right, and we didn’t want to stress it,” Marsch said. “But other than that, the progression and the routine that we put him through in his return to play was really good and really disciplined”.
Despite not being able to count on Davies for most of the tournament, Canada put together a historic campaign, reaching the knockout stage for the first time in the nation’s history.
Jesse Marsch says that Alphonso Davies was on a "linear path" upwards in his injury rehabilitation before the left-back said he "didn't feel right" ahead of Canada-Morocco. #FIFAWorldCuppic.twitter.com/2ZQbStXWFW
Davies’ injury-interrupted road through the tournament
Davies’ World Cup had been a story of careful management from the start. The Bayern Munich fullback suffered a hamstring injury during the Champions League semifinal against Paris Saint-Germain back in May, an issue serious enough to keep him out of Canada’s entire group stage while he worked through a structured rehabilitation program.
He finally made his tournament debut in the Round of 32 win over South Africa, coming on as a 75th-minute substitute and immediately causing problems for a tiring South African defense.
That cameo raised hopes he could feature more prominently against Morocco, but the scare picked up in training two days before the match was enough for Marsch to hold him out entirely, even with Canada’s season on the line.
In the end, Canada couldn’t find a way past a resilient Morocco side, falling 3-0 to bring a landmark tournament to a close, one that still included the country’s first-ever World Cup win and first appearance in the knockout stage.
France face Paraguay in a crucial 2026 World Cup Round of 16 match, where Aurelien Tchouameni will start the game on the bench due to a physical issue.
France face Paraguay in the Round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup at Philadelphia Stadium, and manager Didier Deschamps will be without vice-captain Aurelien Tchouameni for the clash.
France are choosing not to take any chances with Tchouameni’s fitness, as he felt discomfort in his thigh during Friday’s training session, and medical scans revealed a minor tear in the groin area.
While not considered serious, it was enough for the French medical staff to rule him out of the Round of 16 clash, with Manu Kone stepping into the starting lineup alongside Adrien Rabiot in midfield.
While the midfielder will be accompanying the squad from the bench, prestigious French outlet L’Equipe, along with reports from ESPN, indicate that Tchouameni won’t see any minutes in the match against Paraguay, as the priority is a full recovery.
— Equipe de France ⭐⭐ (@equipedefrance) July 4, 2026
A huge blow for Deschamps
Tchouameni has been a regular starter for France this tournament, featuring in three of the team’s four matches so far, though without registering a goal and just one assist to his name.
His absence is a notable blow for Deschamps, who has relied heavily on the Real Madrid midfielder’s presence alongside Rabiot to shield the backline throughout an unbeaten run that included three group-stage wins and a 3-0 demolition of Sweden in the Round of 32.
The good news for France is that the injury isn’t expected to keep him out for long. Reports indicate a recovery window of around four days, meaning Tchouameni should be ready to return for a potential quarterfinal matchup against Morocco on July 9 at Boston Stadium.
France find themselves at the 2026 World Cup with the ambition of earning their third star and returning to the final after losing on penalties in Qatar's 2022 last game.
France enter the knockout rounds of the 2026 World Cup as one of the tournament’s most decorated nations, and Les Bleus are once again in the mix to add to a trophy case that already includes two world titles.
France‘s history with the World Cup dates back to the tournament’s very first edition, and the nation has since built one of the most successful résumés in the competition, with two stars now sitting proudly above the crest, representing the titles won in 1998 and 2018, two decades and a generation of players apart.
This year’s tournament marks France’s 17th all-time appearance, tied for the sixth-most of any nation, following their debut back in 1930 as one of just four European teams to make the trip to the inaugural edition in Uruguay.
Les Bleus have missed the tournament on six occasions since then, including a 12-year absence between 1982 and 1994, a stretch that stands in sharp contrast to the sustained excellence France has shown since the turn of the millennium.
Kylian Mbappe celebrates a goal for France. (Getty Images)
France’s best World Cup campaigns
France’s first title came in 1998, when Didier Deschamps captained the host nation to a 3-0 win over Brazil in the final at the Stade de France, powered by two headers from Zinedine Zidane.
Twenty years later, France lifted the trophy again in Russia, this time with Deschamps in charge as head coach, beating Croatia 4-2 in the final. A 19-year-old Kylian Mbappe scored in that final, becoming just the second teenager ever to do so at a World Cup, after Pele in 1958.
Those two triumphs are bookended by heartbreak on two other occasions. France reached the final in both 2006 and 2022, only to fall both times, losing to Italy on penalties in Berlin and to Argentina on penalties in Qatar, the latter despite a Mbappe hat trick that briefly forced extra time.
France’s overall World Cup record
Between the two titles and two runner-up finishes, France have also reached the semifinals on two other occasions, taking third place in both 1958 and 1986.
Including their ongoing 2026 campaign- before the Round of 16 clash vs Paraguay-, France have played 70 World Cup matches all-time, winning 38, drawing 19, and losing 13.
Mohamed Salah chose Lionel Messi over Cristiano Ronaldo for a World Cup "last dance".
The 2026 World Cup carries a different flavor from previous editions, given it’s likely the last tournament for both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, who, given their age, are unlikely to make it to the next edition.
But it will also mark the closing chapter for other international stars, and Mohamed Salah has made his pick clear when it comes to the “last dance” for one of the sport’s most iconic generations of players.
After getting past Australia in the Round of 32, Salah was asked directly which player he’d choose for this shared farewell moment, out of names like Messi, Ronaldo, Harry Kane, and Neymar. Without giving himself time to doubt, the Egyptian captain was quick to name the Argentine star as his one and only answer.
The question itself didn’t specify whether he meant sharing the tournament as an opponent or in some other sense, simply framing it as a “last dance” the two would experience together. Still, Salah’s answer made it clear he wants to share his final World Cup experience alongside Messi
🎙️ Bu, senin neslinden Cristiano, Messi, Harry Kane ve belki Neymar gibi birçok büyük oyuncunun son dansı olabilir.
Bu son dans için bir oyuncu seçebilseydin, kimi seçerdin?
Egypt looking to make the tournament’s biggest upset
Now, Salah will get his wish sooner than expected, facing off against Messi’s Argentina in the Round of 16 on July 7 at Atlanta Stadium, looking to pull off the tournament’s biggest upset yet.
It’s far from unthinkable, especially after watching Cape Verde push Argentina all the way to extra time before falling 3-2 in a match that had the champions sweating until the final whistle.
Salah reunites with Messi as an opponent
This will mark just the third time Messi and Salah have faced each other and the first at international level. Their two previous meetings both came in the UEFA Champions League while representing their former clubs.
A 1-1 draw between Salah’s Roma and Messi’s Barcelona in the 2015-16 group stage, and a 2019 semifinal first leg at Camp Nou, where Messi scored a brace in a 3-0 Barcelona win over Salah’s Liverpool.
Now, for the first time, they’ll go head-to-head wearing their national colors rather than club jerseys, with a place in the World Cup quarterfinals on the line.
Lionel Messi, Mohamed Salah and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Morocco find themselves at the 2026 World Cup with the ambition of reaching the final for the first time in their history, and surpassing the best mark they achieved at Qatar 2022.
Morocco have already punched their ticket to the Round of 16 at the 2026 World Cup, edging past the Netherlands on penalties in the Round of 32. The Atlas Lions will now try to build on that momentum as they chase a return to the heights of the tournament they’re still best known for.
This year’s edition marks Morocco‘s seventh trip to the World Cup, following previous appearances in 1970, 1986, 1994, 1998, 2018, and 2022. This also marks the third straight World Cup for the North Africans, an unprecedented run of consecutive qualifications for the nation.
Morocco’s Group C campaign in 2026 saw them open with a 1-1 draw against Brazil, before following it up with back-to-back wins, a 1-0 victory over Scotland and a 4-2 thriller against Haiti, good enough for seven points and second place in the group behind Brazil.
Having secured their spot in the knockout stage, Mohamed Ouahbi’s men faced a tough test against the Netherlands in the Round of 32. However, after a tight 1-1 draw, the Africans came away with the win through a penalty shootout, setting the stage for a Round of 16 clash against co-hosts Canada.
Players of Morocco celebrate after defeating the Netherlands through a penalty shootout. (Getty Images)
Morocco’s best World Cup campaign
Morocco’s finest hour on the World Cup stage came in 2022, when the Atlas Lions became the first African and Arab nation ever to reach a World Cup semifinal, finishing fourth overall in Qatar.
Walid Regragui’s side topped Group F, opening with a scoreless draw against Croatia before beating Belgium 2-0 and Canada 2-1. The knockout run only grew more remarkable from there: a penalty-shootout win over former champions Spain in the Round of 16, followed by a 1-0 upset of Portugal in the quarterfinals that sent Morocco through to the semifinals for the first time in the nation’s history.
Their run finally ended with a 2-0 loss to eventual champions France, and a 2-1 defeat to Croatia in the third-place match sealed their historic fourth-place finish.
Morocco’s overall World Cup record
Morocco have appeared in seven World Cups including this year’s tournament, reaching the knockout stage on three occasions, though only once beyond the Round of 16.
Including their ongoing 2026 campaign (before their Round of 16 clash vs Canada), Morocco have played 27 World Cup matches all-time, winning 8, drawing 8, and losing 11, scoring 28 goals while conceding 31.
The Round of 32 of the 2026 World Cup has wrapped up, and the path to the title has narrowed considerably. After a week of knockout drama across venues in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, the full Round of 16 bracket is now set, with every remaining team's next opponent, date, and venue locked […]
The Round of 32 of the 2026 World Cup has wrapped up, and the path to the title has narrowed considerably. After a week of knockout drama across venues in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, the full Round of 16 bracket is now set, with every remaining team’s next opponent, date, and venue locked in.
The opening knockout round lived up to the billing, producing some of the tournament’s most dramatic storylines yet. Germany were sent packing by Paraguay on penalties after a 1-1 draw, while the Netherlands suffered the same fate against Morocco, also decided from the spot.
Egypt needed a shootout of their own to see off Australia, and Cape Verde’s remarkable debut run finally came to an end against Argentina, but not before pushing the defending champions to extra time. Belgium produced the wildest comeback of the round, rallying from two goals down to beat Senegal 3-2 after extra time.
Elsewhere, the results were more straightforward. Brazil, France, Mexico, England, Spain, Portugal, Switzerland, and the USA all advanced without needing extra time, while Colombia rounded out the bracket with a win over Ghana to close out the round.
Ghana find themselves at the 2026 World Cup with the ambition of surpassing their best-ever mark, the quarterfinal finish they achieved in 2010.
Ghana have advanced to the knockout rounds of the 2026 World Cup, and the Black Stars will now try to recreate the tournament run that remains the high-water mark for African soccer at the World Cup, a campaign that came agonizingly close to making history altogether.
This year’s tournament marks Ghana‘s fifth trip to the World Cup, following previous appearances in 2006, 2010, 2014, and 2022. The West Africans didn’t make their debut until Germany 2006, having missed out on qualification, and at times boycotted the process, for decades before finally breaking through.
Ghana’s Group L campaign in 2026 had its ups and downs. Carlos Queiroz’s men opened with a 1-0 win over Panama, followed it with a goalless draw against England, and then fell 2-1 to Croatia in their closing match, a result that still left them with four points and a place among the tournament’s best third-placed teams.
Ghana’s best World Cup campaign
Ghana’s finest hour on the World Cup stage came in 2010, when the Black Stars reached the quarterfinals, becoming just the third African nation in history to do so, joining Cameroon and Senegal.
Asamoah Gyan of Ghana celebrates a goal during the 2014 World Cup. (Getty Images)
Milovan Rajevac’s side advanced from the group stage in South Africa before beating the United States 2-1 in extra time in the Round of 16, sealed by an Asamoah Gyan winner.
Their run then produced one of the most dramatic matches in World Cup history: a 1-1 draw with Uruguay through 120 minutes, ended in the final seconds of extra time when Luis Suarez deliberately handled the ball on the goal line to deny Ghana a certain winning goal.
Gyan missed the resulting penalty, and Uruguay went on to win the ensuing shootout, denying Ghana the chance to become the first African nation ever to reach a World Cup semifinal.
Ghana’s overall World Cup record
Including their ongoing 2026 campaign (before their Round of 32 clash vs Colombia), Ghana have played 18 World Cup matches all-time, winning 6, drawing 3, and losing 9, scoring 20 goals while conceding 25.
Colombia find themselves at the 2026 World Cup with the ambition of getting past the Round of 16 and reaching the quarterfinals once again, matching the best mark in the nation's World Cup history.
Colombia are through to the knockout rounds of the 2026 World Cup, and Los Cafeteros will now try to recapture the magic of the tournament they’re still best remembered for, a run that remains the gold standard for Colombian soccer more than a decade later.
This year’s tournament marks Colombia‘s seventh trip to the World Cup, following previous appearances in 1962, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2014, and 2018. The South Americans have missed out on qualification four times since their debut, including a stretch of absences in the 2000s and, more recently, a shock failure to reach the 2022 edition in Qatar.
Colombia’s Group K campaign in 2026 was a strong one. Nestor Lorenzo’s men opened with a 3-1 win over Uzbekistan, followed it up with a 1-0 victory against DR Congo, and closed out the group with a goalless draw against Portugal, good enough for seven points and first place in the group.
Colombia’s best World Cup campaign
Colombia’s finest hour on the World Cup stage came in 2014, when the team reached the quarterfinals for the first and only time in its history, finishing fifth overall in Brazil.
James Rodriguez celebrates a goal for Colombia vs Uruguay at the 2014 World Cup. (Getty Images)
Jose Pekerman’s men were dominant in the group stage, opening with a 3-0 win over Greece, following it with a 2-1 victory over Ivory Coast, and closing with a 4-1 rout of Japan to finish top of Group C with a perfect record.
Colombia then beat Uruguay 2-0 in the Round of 16, a match remembered for a stunning volleyed goal from James Rodriguez, before their run finally ended with a 2-1 quarterfinal loss to host nation Brazil.
That campaign remains untouched by anything Colombia has produced since, including their 2018 return to the World Cup, which ended in a Round of 16 penalty-shootout loss to England.
Colombia’s overall World Cup record
Colombia have appeared in seven World Cups including this year’s tournament, reaching the knockout stage on four occasions but advancing past the Round of 16 only once.
Including their ongoing 2026 campaign (before their Round of 32 clash vs Ghana), Colombia have played 25 World Cup matches all-time, winning 11, drawing 3, and losing 11, scoring 36 goals while conceding 30.
Argentina defeated Cape Verde 3-2 in extra time in a difficult match and secured a place in the Round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup.
Lionel Messi‘s Argentina survived their toughest test of the 2026 World Cup so far, needing extra time to see off a brave Cape Verde side and advance 3-2 in a thrilling Round of 32 clash at Miami Stadium.
Messi opened the scoring before the Blue Sharks twice fought back to level the score, forcing La Albiceleste to dig deep before finally sealing the win late in the additional 30 minutes.
Speaking after the match, Messi credited Cape Verde’s approach while acknowledging the difficulty of the knockout stage going forward. “They hurt us with their strengths. We knew it was going to be difficult. This is the knockout stage, and nobody gives you anything,” Messi told reporters.
“We knew it wasn’t going to be easy at all. Everything is very even and very competitive. Every match is going to be extremely tough. I think the most important thing now is to rest and focus on what’s ahead. We did some good things, but we have a lot to correct because we also made plenty of mistakes,” he added.
— 🇦🇷 Selección Argentina ⭐⭐⭐ (@Argentina) July 4, 2026
With the result, Argentina move on to face Egypt in the Round of 16, with the match set for Tuesday, July 7, at Atlanta Stadium. Egypt booked their spot in the next round by beating Australia on penalties earlier in the day.
Messi on Argentina’s struggles pressing Cape Verde
Beyond praising his team’s resilience, Messi also pointed to a specific tactical issue that allowed Cape Verde to control long stretches of the match, particularly through Argentina’s ability, or inability, to press high up the pitch.
“I don’t think we were able to press them well. The lines were too far apart, and we were a bit disorganized. They always seemed to have an extra man, which allowed them to keep possession and make us chase the ball because we couldn’t press effectively,” Messi said.
Scaloni draws a parallel to Argentina’s title run in Qatar
Scaloni also reflected on his side’s ability to absorb pressure and respond under difficult circumstances, comparing this performance to the resilience Argentina showed during their triumphant 2022 campaign. “Just like what happened in Qatar. This team can take a hit, but it keeps pushing forward and keeps looking for the opponent’s goal,” Scaloni said.
The comparison echoes one of the most memorable storylines of Argentina’s last World Cup run, when Scaloni’s side suffered a shock 2-1 defeat to Saudi Arabiain their tournament opener, only to bounce back and go on to win the title.
Colombia face Ghana in a crucial Round of 32 match at the 2026 World Cup, with both sides looking to secure a place among the tournament's best 16 teams.
Colombia has a chance to continue building on a strong tournament as they take on Ghana in the final 2026 World Cup Round of 32 fixture of the round at Kansas City Stadium.
Los Cafeteros cruised through the group stage unbeaten, finishing atop Group K with seven points after a 3-1 win over Uzbekistan, a 1-0 victory against DR Congo, and a scoreless draw with Portugal in their finale. Colombia are chasing their fourth-ever appearance in the Round of 16, having previously gone as far as the quarterfinals back in 2014.
Ghana, meanwhile, advanced as one of the tournament’s best third-placed teams, collecting four points in Group L courtesy of a 1-0 win over Panama, a 0-0 draw with England, and a narrow defeat to Croatia in their closing match.
The Black Stars are now aiming for just their third trip to the Round of 16 in team history, having last gotten this far in 2010, when they made a run to the quarterfinals.
Daniel Munoz #2 of Colombia celebrates a goal. (Getty Images)
What happens if Colombia defeats Ghana?
A Colombia win will send them into the Round of 16, where they will have to face Switzerland on July 7at Vancouver Stadium, as the Europeans have already booked their spot in the next round with a win over Algeria.
What happens if Colombia and Ghana draw?
If the two sides can’t be separated after 90 minutes, the match will proceed to extra time, played in two 15-minute periods, since the knockout stage no longer allows for group-style draws. Should neither team find a winner across the full 120 minutes, the tie will then be decided by a penalty shootout.
What happens if Colombia loses to Ghana?
A defeat would eliminate Colombia from the tournament immediately, given the win-or-go-home nature of the knockout rounds. A Ghana victory would send the Black Stars through to face Switzerland in the Round of 16, and complete one of the more notable underdog stories of this year’s competition, alongside Paraguay’s feat to eliminate Germany.
Lionel Messi scored Argentina's opening goal against Cape Verde in the Round of 32, reaching 20 World Cup goals.
Lionel Messi continues to prove, match after match, that he’s Argentina’s most important player. The captain scored his team’s opening goal in the 2026 World Cup Round of 32 clash against Cape Verde, giving Argentina a partial lead and putting them on course for the next round.
After roughly 30 minutes of Cape Verde showing a solid defense, Lisandro Martinez placed an excellent through ball that Messi received inside the box, controlling it before unleashing a powerful shot that left Vozinha with no chance.
With that strike, the Argentine legend moves into the lead as this edition’s top scorer with seven goals, and extends his own record as the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history with 20 goals.
MESSI GOOOAAL TO GIVE ARGENTINA THE LEAD 🐐
Lionel Messi scores his 20th career FIFA World Cup goal to make it 1-0 over Cape Verde! pic.twitter.com/ewqsqO5Sl9
Messi extends his own record to eight straight World Cup matches with a goal
Messi’s strike against Cape Verde wasn’t just about padding his all-time tally — it also stretched a record that already stood alone in World Cup history heading into this match.
The Argentine captain had already set the mark for most consecutive World Cup matches scored in, and today’s goal extended it further, now standing at eight consecutive matches, a run that began during Argentina’s title-winning campaign in Qatar, where he scored in each of the final four matches.
Adding more records to Messi, with this goal he also became the first player ever to score in every possible round of the World Cup: Matchday 1, Matchday 2, and Matchday 3 of the group stage, the Round of 32, the Round of 16, the quarterfinals, the semifinals, and the final.
Argentina face Cape Verde in a crucial 2026 World Cup Round of 32 match, where Julian Alvarez will start from the bench.
Argentina take on Cape Verde in the Round of 32 of the 2026 World Cup in Miami, and manager Lionel Scaloni has once again decided to leave Julian Alvarez out of his starting eleven.
For this crucial knockout game, Scaloni is set to stick with the same frontline that’s carried Argentina through the group stage, with Lionel Messi and Lautaro Martinez leading the front.
The decision comes down to form and fitness rather than any dip in quality. Alvarez arrived at the World Cup managing an ankle issue that limited his preparation, and it kept him out of the starting lineup for Argentina’s first two group games, against Algeria and Austria
He finally earned his first start of the tournament in the group finale against Jordan, but the performance wasn’t convincing enough to unseat Martinez, who has started every match for Argentina so far.
Julian Alvarez #9 of Argentina takes a shot at goal vs Jordan. (Getty Images)
Alvarez has recovered, but Martinez has been the better option
Alvarez is no longer dealing with any lingering fitness concerns — the ankle issue that disrupted his buildup to the tournament is fully behind him, and he’s back to full physical condition.
The problem was timing: he spent the days before the World Cup working to recover in time, which cost him valuable rhythm and preparation heading into the group stage.
Martinez, meanwhile, arrived in better shape and has taken full advantage of it, starting every match for Argentina and already finding the back of the net. With the Inter Milan forward in strong form and Alvarez still working to fully rediscover his sharpness after a disrupted buildup, Scaloni has made it clear who his starting striker is heading into the knockout rounds.
Argentina and Cape Verde face off in a crucial Round of 32 duel at the 2026 World Cup, where both sides are looking to secure a place among the tournament's best 16 teams.
One of the most lopsided matchups on paper in the 2026 World Cup Round of 32 takes place at Miami Stadium, where reigning champions Argentina face a Cape Verde side making history as the smallest nation ever to reach the World Cup knockout rounds.
Argentina were dominant throughout the group stage, winning all three of their matches against Algeria, Austria, and Jordan, conceding just a single goal and securing first place with a perfect record.
For this crucial game, Lionel Messi will start, returning to the lineup after being rested for the final group game against Jordan. The Argentine captain has been in red-hot form, already leading the tournament, alongside Kylian Mbappe, with six goals.
Cape Verde, meanwhile, punched their ticket to the knockouts as runners-up in Group H, opening with a goalless draw against Spain, following it with a thrilling 2-2 comeback draw versus Uruguay, and closing with another shutout against Saudi Arabia.
— Selección Argentina in English (@AFASeleccionEN) July 3, 2026
Argentina confirmed lineup
Lionel Scaloni will go back to his strongest available group now that the group stage is behind him, with Messi reinserted into the attack alongside Lautaro Martinez up top.
Bubista will stick with the disciplined setup that has produced two clean sheets so far, built around a well-organized backline shielded by a holding midfielder, with goalkeeper Vozinha as their big star.
Cape Verde’s projected starting XI: Vozinha; Steven Moreira, Diney Borges, Pico Lopes, Sidny Lopes Cabral; Kevin Lenini; Ryan Mendes, Laros Duarte, Deroy Duarte, Jovane Cabral; Nuno Da Costa.
Lionel Messi of Argentina and Pico Lopes of Cape Verde.
Switzerland claimed a strong 2-0 win over Algeria to secure a place among the 16 best teams at the 2026 World Cup.
The Round of 32 of the 2026 World Cup is coming to its conclusion, and Switzerland managed to secure a place among the tournament’s best 16 teams after defeating Algeria 2-0 at Vancouver Stadium.
Switzerland grabbed an early advantage, breaking through in the 10th minute when Breel Embolo got on the end of a well-worked move to fire the Swiss in front, continuing his strong tournament form as the team’s top scorer.
The Europeans put the result beyond doubt through Dan Ndoye, who capitalized on a shaky Algerian clearance to collect the loose ball just outside the box and thread a low strike into the far corner, sealing the win just as the second half began.
With the win, Murat Yakin’s men keep their bid alive to reach the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time since 1954, when Switzerland made the last eight on home soil.
JAAAA! Wir stehen im Achtelfinale! 😍🙌🔥 OUIIII ! Nous sommes en huitièmes de finale ! SÌÌÌ! Siamo agli ottavi di finale! pic.twitter.com/NEZ2Y2ONxk
Switzerland will stay in Vancouver for their Round of 16 match, facing the winner of Colombia and Ghana, who meet in their own Round of 32 tie in Kansas City on Friday, July 4.
Granit Xhaka’s side will play in the Round of 16 for the fourth consecutive World Cup, though in none of the previous three instances have they managed to advance past this stage.
For the African Nation, the defeat bring their tournament to a close after a rollercoaster group stage that saw them survive as one of the best third-placed teams, falling just short of matching the Round of 16 run that stands as the best in Algeria’s World Cup history.
Breel Embolo #7 of Switzerland celebrates a goal vs Algeria.
Cristiano Ronaldo was surprisingly substituted while Portugal were still level with Croatia, and coach Roberto Martinez explained the reasoning behind the change.
However, with the match still level, coach Roberto Martinez surprisingly decided to substitute the Portuguese captain with ten minutes plus stoppage timestill to play.
Asked directly about the substitution during his press conference, and whether it signals a growing role for Goncalo Ramos, Martinez explained the tactical reasoning behind the decision in detail.
“Goncalo Ramos is a player who always adds something when he comes on, like Bernardo Silva and Conceicao. It is important to start well and finish even better. We took a big risk by playing with two strikers, but then we needed an extra midfielder, so we took off Cristiano,” the Spanish coach explained.
Cristiano Ronaldo #7 of Portugal high fives Ruben Neves #21 as he is substituted. (Getty Images)
The Portuguese captain left the pitch in the 81st minute to make way for Ruben Neves, bringing on a holding midfielder to help provide extra defensive cover as Croatia were reaching Diogo Costa’s box more frequently.
A substitution that paid off
Martinez’s explanation points to a broader tactical shift rather than any dip in Ronaldo’s performance, who had just scored the equalizing penalty moments before being withdrawn.
With Croatia controlling large spells of possession, the Portugal manager opted to reinforce his midfield rather than stick with two out-and-out strikers, a call that was vindicated when Ramos rose to head home the stoppage-time winner off a Rafael Leao cross.
The move also raises questions about how Martinez manages his front line heading into the decisive Round of 16 clash against Spain on July 6 at Dallas Stadium.
It’s highly likely that Ronaldo will continue as a starter, but the question is whether Ramos would come in as a second striker, or whether the Spanish coach decides to stick with a single center-forward and two wide players like Rafael Leao and Pedro Neto instead.
Roberto Martinez shakes hands with Cristiano Ronaldo #7 as he is substituted.
Cristiano Ronaldo led Portugal to a big 2-1 comeback win over Croatia, and achieved two impressive records in World Cup history.
Cristiano Ronaldo added two more entries to the World Cup record books during Portugal’s dramatic 2-1 win over Croatia in the Round of 32, cementing his place as one of the most decorated players in the tournament’s history at the age of 41.
The forward was a key figure in the match, scoring Portugal‘s equalizer exactly when his team needed it most. Beyond helping his side complete a big comeback, the goal also allowed him to continue making history.
At 41 years and 147 days old, Ronaldo became the oldest player to ever score in a World Cup knockout-stage match, converting the second-half penalty that leveled the score at 1-1 and set up Portugal’s late comeback.
The mark comfortably surpasses the previous record holders: his former Portugal teammate Pepe, who was 39 when he last found the net in a knockout match, and Cameroon legend Roger Milla, who was 38.
SIIUUU! CRISTIANO RONALDO SCORES HIS FIRST CAREER KNOCKOUT STAGE GOAL AT THE FIFA WORLD CUP 🇵🇹
Ronaldo’s outstanding performance also earned him Player of the Match honors, making him the oldest player ever named MVP of a World Cup knockout-stage match.
The gap here is even larger than his scoring record. The previous oldest recipients of the award in a knockout match were France’s Olivier Giroud, who was 36, and Argentina’s Lionel Messi, who was 35 — meaning Ronaldo broke the mark by several years rather than by a matter of months.
Ronaldo wants to complete his trophy cabinet
After securing an important win in the Round of 32, Cristiano Ronaldo remains firmly on track toward the one title that has eluded him throughout his entire career.
Having already tasted success at the UEFA Euro and the UEFA Nations League, the World Cup is the only trophy still missing from Ronaldo’s collection with Portugal. To keep that dream alive, they’ll have to get past a tough test against Spain on Monday, July 6, at Dallas Stadium, in what promises to be one of the tournament’s best game.
Beyond being a crucial match to keep Portugal‘s hopes alive of winning their first title, the game carried extra significance, coming just a day before the one-year anniversary of Diogo Jota’s passing.
That’s why, after securing the win in stoppage time, Portugal’s players made their way to their fans to celebrate the victory, with Ronaldo putting on the No. 21 jersey in honor of his former national team teammate.
An emotional moment as Cristiano Ronaldo salutes the Portugal fans while wearing Diogo Jota's jersey 🇵🇹 pic.twitter.com/7e6Km1pQyE
The comeback was set up by a milestone Ronaldo had been chasing for nearly two decades. With Portugal trailing 1-0 in the second half, a VAR review overturned a missed foul, awarding a penalty after Marin Pongracic brought down Renato Veiga inside the box.
The goal also made him the oldest player to ever score in a World Cup knockout-stage match, at 41 years and 147 days old, and moved him into the top 10 goal-scorers in World Cup history with 11 tallies.
Portugal’s next rival
Portugal will face Spain in the Round of 16, with the match set for Monday, July 6, at Dallas Stadium. Lamine Yamal’s team reached the round with a comfortable 3-0 win over Austria, powered by a brace from Mikel Oyarzabal.
Cristiano Ronaldo #7 of Portugal celebrates after a 2-1 win vs Croatia.
Algeria find themselves at the 2026 World Cup eager to get past the Round of 16 and set a new historic mark for the nation.
Algeria have punched their ticket to the knockout rounds of the 2026 World Cup, advancing as one of the tournament’s best third-placed teams and setting up a Round of 32 date with Switzerland in Vancouver. It’s a step that puts the Desert Foxes within reach of matching the finest run in their World Cup history.
This year’s tournament marks Algeria‘s fifth appearance at a World Cup, following prior trips in 1982, 1986, 2010, and 2014. The North African side didn’t make its debut until Spain ’82, and a 12-year gap separates this campaign from its last appearance in Brazil.
Algeria’s path through Group J in 2026 was a rollercoaster. Vladimir Petkovic’s men opened with a 3-0 defeat to defending champions Argentina, bounced back with a 2-1 win over tournament debutants Jordan, and then survived a wild 3-3 draw with Austria in their closing match, a result that was enough to send them through on goal difference among the third-placed teams.
Algeria’s best World Cup campaign
Algeria’s finest World Cup showing came in 2014, when they became just the fourth African nation ever to reach the Round of 16. That marked their last appearance on the biggest stage, and in this edition they’ll look to make a statement and surpass their own mark.
Algeria National Team during 2014 World Cup in Brazil. (Getty Images)
Vahid Halilhodzic’s side opened that tournament with a heavy 4-1 loss to Belgium, but responded in style, thrashing South Korea 4-2 in a game that made them the first African team ever to score four goals in a single World Cup match.
A tense 1-1 draw with Russia in the finale was enough to send Algeria through to the knockouts for the first time in their history. Their run ended in the Round of 16, where they pushed Germany all the way to extra time before falling 2-1.
Algeria’s overall World Cup record
Algeria have appeared in four completed World Cups prior to this year’s tournament, reaching the knockout stage on just one occasion. Including their ongoing 2026 campaign (before the Round of 32 game vs Switzerland), Algeria have played 16 World Cup matches all-time, winning 4, drawing 4, and losing 8, scoring 18 goals while conceding 26.
Croatia face Portugal in a crucial Round of 32 match at the 2026 World Cup, where Josko Gvardiol will start the game on the bench.
Croatia take on Portugal in the Round of 32 of the 2026 World Cup at Toronto Stadium, and manager Zlatko Dalic has once again decided to leave Josko Gvardiol out of his starting eleven.
Dalic is opting to keep the same backline that finished the game against Ghana, meaning Gvardiol will start the match from the bench once more as he was replaced during the halftime.
The Manchester City defender occupied the left side of Croatia‘s backline whenever he did play. However, for this crucial match, the coach opted to push Ivan Perisic back into a defensive role, having him cover the left side.
Gvardiol lost his place among the starters
The 24-year-old defender saw his performances decline throughout the 2026 World Cup, which led to him not starting this crucial match against Portugal as Croatia look to secure a place in the Round of 16.
Josko Gvardiol #4 of Croatia is challenged by Noni Madueke #20 of England. (Getty Images)
Gvardiol began the tournament as the starting left-back, in the 4-2 defeat to England, where his performance failed to fully convince Dalic. In Matchday 2 against Panama, he started again, but the coach opted to pull him at halftime to bring on more attacking players, pushing Perisic back into the left-back role.
By the decisive Matchday 3 against Ghana, the coach went a step further, starting Perisic outright at left-back and only bringing Gvardiol on for the final three minutes of the match — making it clear his starting spot had been lost.
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