Day 23 Results — July 03, 2026
Lionel Messi extended his all-time World Cup scoring record to 20 goals as Argentina survived an extra-time scare against debutants Cape Verde, while Egypt and Colombia completed the Round of 32 with a penalty-shootout thriller and a clinical win in Kansas City.
Round of 32 — Final Day
Mohamed Hany became the first player in World Cup history to score two own goals in the same tournament, but Egypt held their nerve from the spot. Mohamed Salah converted his attempt with a chipped finish down the middle, and Hossam Abdelmaguid slotted home the decisive penalty after Harry Souttar and Lucas Herrington both missed for the Socceroos. It is Egypt's first-ever knockout-round win at a World Cup.
The defending champions needed extra time to see off a Cape Verde side playing in their first-ever World Cup. Messi's opener — his 20th World Cup goal, extending his own all-time record — looked like it might be enough until Deroy Duarte drilled in a 59th-minute equalizer. Lisandro Martínez restored Argentina's lead early in extra time, only for Sidny Lopes Cabral to produce a stunning curling finish from the edge of the box to level again at 103 minutes. An own goal by Diney Borges, forced by pressure from a Messi corner, finally settled it in the 111th minute.
Jhon Arias settled this one early, and Colombia controlled the rest of the match comfortably — 61% possession and 2.06 expected goals to Ghana's 0.26. Ghana's tournament ends in the Round of 32; Colombia advance to face Switzerland in Vancouver.
What It Means — Round of 32 Complete
With these three results, the Round of 32 is finished (16 matches played June 28 – July 3), and the Round of 16 field is now set. Argentina, Egypt, and Colombia join the 13 teams that had already advanced. Ghana and Australia are eliminated, while Cape Verde's historic debut run — unbeaten in the group stage before Friday — ends at the first knockout hurdle, having taken the world champions to extra time. Messi's Argentina now face Egypt in the last 16, while Colombia meet Switzerland.
Today's Upcoming Matches — Round of 16 Begins
The Round of 16 opens today, July 4, with two matches:
- Canada vs Morocco — NRG Stadium, Houston — 1:00pm ET
- Paraguay vs France — Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia — 5:00pm ET
Frequently Asked Questions
Lionel Messi (29'), Lisandro Martínez (93') and an own goal by Diney Borges (111') scored for Argentina; Deroy Duarte (59') and Sidny Lopes Cabral (103') scored for Cape Verde in a 3-2 extra-time win for the defending champions.
The match finished 1-1 after extra time (Ashour 13' for Egypt, a Mohamed Hany own goal for Australia), with Egypt winning 4-2 on penalties to reach the Round of 16 for the first time.
The Round of 32 is now complete. Argentina will face Egypt and Colombia will face Switzerland in the last 16, joining Canada, Morocco, Paraguay, France, Brazil, Norway, Mexico, England, Portugal, Spain, USA and Belgium in the bracket.