Reigning champions eventually end Cape Verde’s fairytale
Heading into this match, there couldn’t have been a larger disparity between Argentina's and Cape Verde’s World Cup pedigree, history, expectations, and squad depth.
Nevertheless, the Blue Sharks handed the reigning world champions their toughest test of the tournament so far in an epic battle as Argentina needed an 111th-minute own goal from Diney Borges to progress into the last 16.
Back in Miami, where he plays his club football, Lionel Messi became the first player to reach 20 World Cup goals in what was his 30th finals appearance, opening the scoring with a delightful touch and finish to open the scoring.
Deroy Duarte levelled after the break and Cape Verde rode out an Argentine attacking storm to take the game into extra time, where Lionel Scaloni’s men swiftly restored their lead through Lisandro Martínez’s powerful effort.
Once again, the minnows found another equaliser as Sidny Cabral curled in one of the goals of the tournament into the top corner. But Argentina’s blushes were spared when Cristian Romero’s header deflected off Borges, with the South Americans just about clinging onto the victory in one of the greatest World Cup games in history - all thanks to the brave performance of the underdogs. Salah’s Egypt are up next for Argentina.
Salah’s Panenka penalty helps Egypt to a faultless shootout triumph
Egypt’s 2026 World Cup reached fresh uncharted territory as they squirmed into the last-16 thanks to a flawless penalty shootout victory over Australia.
Both teams came into this fixture without a knockout-stage win in the competition and had never taken part in penalties, but Egypt became only the second African nation to ever win a shootout, after Morocco’s two triumphs (2022 v Spain, 2026 v Netherlands).
Emam Ashour headed Egypt in front, before an own goal from Mohamed Hany hauled Australia back into the contest, taking the match to extra time, where the sides still couldn’t be separated.
Penalties beckoned and Egypt delivered when it mattered most. Mahmoud Saber, Rami Rabia, Mohamed Salah and Hossam Abdelmaguid all dispatched their efforts, while Australia missed two spot-kicks, with 18-year-old defender Lucas Herrington striking the bar to all but seal Egypt’s victory.
One of the most dominant pre-game narratives was the touch-and-go fitness of Salah, but the 34-year-old captained his country and played the full match before dinking an outrageous Panenka penalty over Mat Ryan in the shootout. Salah was never going to miss this occasion and was in tears of joy after leading his nation through to the last-16.
Arias ensures Colombia’s progress as the tournament dark horses
Jhon Arias was Colombia’s hero, sending his nation through to the Round of 16 with an early strike to secure a 1-0 win over Ghana.
The 28-year-old’s clinical, first-time volley, was the second-quickest goal in Colombia’s World Cup history (13:49), after Pablo Armero’s fifth-minute effort against Greece in 2014.
Despite a turbulent club campaign, where he left Premier League side Wolves mid-season, Arias is still at the forefront of the international scene and has started all four matches at the tournament. He ensured that Colombia’s journey as one of the World Cup dark horses continued and their unbeaten record remains intact, setting up a last-16 showdown with Switzerland.
Carlos Quieroz was unable to get revenge on one of his previous employers and Ghana’s underwhelming attack was highlighted by their miserable 0.26 xG and zero shots on target.
The Round of 16 gets underway today, with the competition seriously beginning to heat up.
It all begins with Canada, who tackle Morocco in Houston, with the co-hosts playing a second successive match outside their homeland.
The second game of the day sees a faultless France go up against Paraguay, who are fresh from their stunning penalty shootout victory over Germany.
Morocco pose Canada’s most intimidating threat yet
After losing their final Group B game against Switzerland, Canada squandered the prospect of home advantage in the knockouts. However, this didn’t matter in the Round of 32, with Jesse Marsch’s men claiming a hard-fought 1-0 win over South Africa in Los Angeles.
Canada crowned their first-ever World Cup knockout tie with an emotional victory, and if they’re going to take a step further in the competition, they will need to be at their best against a very impressive Morocco side.
The 2022 semi-finalists needed Issa Diop’s 91st-minute equaliser to force extra time with Netherlands in their Round of 32 clash. The scoreline was still tied after 120 minutes, with Morocco winning an error-strewn penalty shootout as Yassine Bounou decisively saved Crysencio Summerville’s spot-kick, before new Bayern Munich signing Ismael Saibari slotted home to send the Atlas Lions into the last 16.
In matches against Brazil and Netherlands, Mohamed Ouahbi’s side have demonstrated that they’re more than capable of mixing it with the very best, leaving Canada with a very daunting task.
France on fire but Paraguay out to cause another upset
Can anyone stop this scintillating France team? Didier Deschamps’ men are purring at this World Cup, having bagged at least three goals in all four of their matches so far. It was a familiar story against Sweden in their latest outing, with a double from Kylian Mbappé and a strike from Bradley Barcola sealing a 3-0 victory for Les Bleus.
The 2018 winners added Sweden to the list of nations that France has dismantled at this tournament with chilling ease, alongside Senegal, Iraq, and Norway. Nevertheless, Paraguay will be plotting the giant killing of another former winner after taking down Germany on penalties following their 1-1 draw in Boston.
Paraguay handed Germany their first-ever penalty shootout defeat at a World Cup, defying the odds to illustrate that they’re out to ruffle the feathers of the heavyweights. If France were next to fall, that would be an even greater achievement for Gustavo Alfaro’s side.
Mbappé and Olise enjoying generational highs at this tournament
To put it bluntly, the form of France’s captain at the 2026 World Cup has been frightening. In just four games, Mbappé has already managed six goals, and his double against Sweden exemplified the confidence he currently possesses.
The 27-year-old is the second-highest scorer in this World Cup behind Messi. Mbappé is also outright second in the competition’s all-time goal charts with 18, two off (you guessed it) Messi.
Another key factor behind Mbappé’s insane productivity has been the creativity and trickery of Michael Olise. The playmaker has now set up three of Mbappé’s goals, and Olise’s tally of five assists is the most by a player at a single World Cup since Thomas Hassler for Germany in 1994.
We could point to even more stats that underline the brilliance of this unstoppable attacking duo, as the pair continue to rip it up at this World Cup. We wish Paraguay’s defence the best of luck.
