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Co-hosts Mexico became the first nation to reach the knockout stage of the World Cup They achieved this after edging past South Korea in Guadalajara. Author | James Y Stadium | Estadio Guadalajara Mexico midfielder Luis Romo was perfectly placed to tap into an empty net in the 50th minute after goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu spilled the ball following a collision with team-mate Lee Gi-hyuk. South Korea's best opportunity arrived three minutes from time when Cho Gue-sung's close-range header was saved by Raul Rangel, with the Mexico goalkeeper reacting again to deny Yang Hyun-jun from the rebound. Earlier, captain Son Heung-min had chipped Rangel only for Edson Alvarez to clear off the line, although the former Tottenham forward was eventually flagged offside. Roared on by a passionate home crowd that had voiced its frustration at half-time after a lacklustre opening period, Mexico almost doubled their lead in the 75th minute, but Raul Jimenez's effort from a tight angle was kept ...

A first point for both Czech Republic and South Africa at the World Cup. Teboho Mokoena's penalty cancelled out Michal Sadilek's early goal for the Czechs. Author | Ajay  Stadium | Atlanta Stadium South Africa trailed after five minutes and seven seconds when Michal Sadilek latched onto a clever lay-off and rifled home the earliest goal of the tournament so far. The Bafana Bafana, who also conceded early against Mexico in their tournament opener, eventually settled into the game, but they struggled to create chances and only managed their first shot on target in the 74th minute. But their fortunes finally changed as Thapelo Maseko's shot thundered into Pavel Sulc's arm in the Czech box with less than 10 minutes of normal time remaining. Mokoena made no mistake with the finish, slotting into the left corner. Both sides then fought to determine a winner, but neither could. This means they’ll have to beat the group favourites in order to get out of the group and reach the ...

Colombia marked their return to the World Cup with a victory over debutants Uzbekistan. Former Liverpool forward Luis Diaz and Crystal Palace defender Daniel Munoz both found the net. Author | Jack L Stadium | Azteca Stadium Having missed out on the 2022 tournament, Colombia secured all three points at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City to move to the top of Group K. A closer analysis of what happened Munoz opened the scoring with an outstanding full-stretch volley after meeting a superb forward pass from Diaz, who had earlier struck the post. Uzbekistan, managed by Italy's World Cup-winning defender Fabio Cannavaro, levelled on the hour when Abbosbek Fayzullaev headed home from close range after Colombia goalkeeper Camilo Vargas had pushed away Eldor Shomurodov's effort. But the South Americans restored their advantage almost immediately, with Diaz's shot finding the net despite Uzbekistan keeper Utkir Yusupov getting both hands to the ball. Uzbekistan, ranked 50th in the w...

The other game in England’s group wasn’t quite as exciting Ghana's Caleb Yirenkyi scored a 95th-minute winner to deny Panama a first-ever World Cup point in Toronto, Canada. Author | Josh T Stadium | Toronto Stadium With six minutes of added time played in a match short on clear chances, Brandon Thomas-Asante surged down the left, beat his marker and squared for Yirenkyi, who applied a simple finish. The outcome was cruel on Panama, who had matched the four-time African champions in only their fourth World Cup appearance since making their debut in 2018. Ghana's next assignment is against Group L leaders England in Boston on Tuesday, while Panama will hope to end their losing World Cup record when they face Croatia in Toronto on Wednesday. A closer analysis of what happened Panama almost went ahead inside two minutes when Cecilio Waterman's effort was pushed over the bar by Ghana goalkeeper Lawrence Ati Zigi. After the break, Panama's Cristian Martinez fired into the si...

Best game of the tournament so far? England made a winning start to their World Cup campaign as they edged past Croatia in a pulsating contest in Dallas. Author | George B Stadium | Dallas Stadium Thomas Tuchel's side showed their attacking quality but also some defensive vulnerability, although they had enough firepower to finally see off Croatia and lay the foundations for progress in Group L A closer analysis of what happened Harry Kane gave England the lead after 12 minutes with a penalty that had to be retaken after Luka Modric fouled Noni Madueke. Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic saved the first effort but was ruled to have moved off his line too early. Croatia, as ever dangerous opponents, levelled after 36 minutes when Martin Baturina's fierce drive flew past Jordan Pickford, who got a hand to the ball but could not keep it out. Kane restored England's advantage three minutes before the interval with a powerful header from Declan Rice's corner, drawing level...

Was this another shock result, or did everyone underestimate one side here?  Portugal were held to a frustrating draw by an impressive DR Congo side in their opening World Cup match. Author | Ed Stadium | Houston Stadium Midfielder Joao Neves headed them into an early lead after six minutes, but Roberto Martinez's side failed to turn their dominance of possession into meaningful chances. They were punished in the fifth minute of first-half stoppage time when Newcastle striker Yoane Wissa was left unmarked six yards out to head home Arthur Masuaku's cross, scoring DR Congo's first ever World Cup goal. In their only previous appearance in 1974, when the country competed as Zaire, they lost all three matches with an aggregate score of 14-0. READ MORE |  How DR Congo qualified But the side ranked 46th in the world look a far sterner proposition 52 years later and deserved their point, defending resolutely and posing a threat on the counter-attack. Cedric Bakambu struck the post...

It was a day for football's biggest names.  Yet even amid such star quality, Lionel Messi still commanded centre stage. Author  | Jamie P Hours after France's Kylian Mbappe and Norway's Erling Haaland had illuminated the World Cup with two goals apiece, the scene was set. This, though, was no supporting role. This was the main attraction. The Messi show. His first World Cup hat-trick, a record-equalling 16th goal at the finals, and another reminder that, even at 38, he remains a force of remarkable influence. Argentina secured a 3-0 victory over Algeria, with Messi at the heart of everything. As the sun dipped behind the Kansas City skyline, the 38-year-old became the first player in history to appear at six World Cups, eclipsing rival Cristiano Ronaldo by a single day. World Cup 2026 | Argentina 3 - 0 Algeria Lionel Messi became the World Cup's joint all-time leading scorer with a hat-trick as reigning champions Argentina opened their title defence with an emphati...