Messi record helps Argentina top group as England draw DR Congo
Argentina and England won their World Cup groups, DR Congo reached the knockouts, and Iran exited after Austria’s late equaliser.
By Lucas Ferreira · Science & Environment Writer
3 min read
Lionel Messi set another World Cup scoring mark as Argentina completed a perfect group stage, and England secured first place in Group L with a 2-0 win over Panama. The results shaped several last-32 ties, including England against the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Argentina against Cape Verde, according to Al Jazeera and AFP.
Messi came on as a substitute and scored late in Argentina’s 3-1 win over Jordan in Arlington, Texas, Al Jazeera and AFP reported. The goal made him the first player to score in seven straight World Cup matches and took him to six goals at the 2026 tournament.
Al Jazeera and AFP said it was Messi’s 19th career World Cup goal, extending his own record. Argentina, the defending champion, finished top of Group J with three wins from three matches.
England top Group L
England beat Panama at New York New Jersey Stadium, with Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane scoring in the second half, according to Al Jazeera and AFP. The win put England first in Group L and sent Thomas Tuchel’s team into a last-32 match against DR Congo in Atlanta on Wednesday.
Al Jazeera and AFP reported that Panama made England work for the result before Bellingham scored in the 62nd minute. Five minutes later, Bellingham set up Kane for England’s second goal.
Tuchel described Panama as a physical and difficult opponent, according to Al Jazeera and AFP. He said England had created enough chances to merit the win and said his team would improve as the tournament moved into the knockout stage.
DR Congo make history
DR Congo advanced after beating Uzbekistan 3-1 in Atlanta, Al Jazeera and AFP reported. It was the country’s first World Cup victory and sent the team through as one of the best third-placed sides from Group K.
Yoane Wissa scored twice for DR Congo, including a penalty in stoppage time, according to Al Jazeera and AFP. The win set up a meeting with England and extended DR Congo’s first run into the knockout rounds.
Colombia finished first in Group K after a 0-0 draw with Portugal in Miami, Al Jazeera and AFP reported. Portugal will play Croatia in the last 32, with a possible last-16 match against European champion Spain if results fall that way.
Croatia advance, Iran eliminated
Croatia took second place in Group L by beating Ghana 2-1 in Philadelphia, according to Al Jazeera and AFP. Petar Sucic and Nikola Vlasic scored for Croatia, while Ghana ended the group in third place.
Al Jazeera and AFP reported that Croatia’s result ended Scotland’s chance of qualifying as one of the best third-placed teams. Scotland manager Steve Clarke resigned after the elimination.
In Group J, Austria and Algeria drew 3-3 in the final group-stage match, Al Jazeera and AFP reported. Sasa Kalajdzic scored for Austria six minutes into added time, a goal that kept Austria in the tournament and ended Iran’s hopes of progressing.
Austria finished second in Group J and will play Spain in the knockout round, according to Al Jazeera and AFP. Algeria also went through as one of the best third-placed teams and will face Switzerland, while Cape Verde’s reward for reaching the knockouts is a match against Argentina.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.