England got the job done, but they will not earn extra points for style after a grafting 2-0 victory over Panama in their final Group L match at the FIFA World Cup in New Jersey yesterday.

From late-game rescue acts to the raw, unbridled euphoria of supporters living out a dream, the opening phase perfectly encapsulated the unpredictable spirit of the game.

Uzbekistan manager Fabio Cannavaro knows all about the beauty of the World Cup, having led Italy to success as captain, but after seeing his side lose all three games and exit the tournament, he reminded people of his warning about how brutal it can be.

No side has suffered more at Neymar’s hands. He has scored nine goals against Japan, with Peru (six) next on his list, followed by Bolivia, Ecuador and the USA (five each).

Co-hosts Canada and South Africa will both make World Cup history when they meet in the opening game of the knockout round on Sunday.

Only three teams won all three group matches: Argentina, France and Mexico

"It's a little bit of an uncomfortable situation when people ask me that and I don't know what to say," Scaloni said when quizzed once again about Messi's performance.

Cape Verde have captured the imagination and secured a World Cup showdown with Lionel Messi's Argentina, but they are just part of a success story for African football as the group stages come to a close.

With Argentina beating Jordan 3-1 and Algeria and Austria playing out a dramatic 3-3 draw in the final Group J matches, the group stage of the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2026 came to an end on Sunday.

Argentina topped the group, while Austria finished second and will face Spain in the knockout stage. Algeria advanced as one of the best third-placed sides and will meet Switzerland.

Captain Lionel Messi came off the bench to score from a trademark freekick as defending champions Argentina beat Jordan 3-1 in their dead-rubber Group J World Cup clash in Dallas on Sunday, with the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner becoming the first player to score in seven successive World Cup matches.

Captain Lionel Messi came off the bench soon after Argentina conceded for the first time at this World Cup, with Jordan pulling one back to make it 2-1 in a dead-rubber Group J clash in Dallas on Sunday.

Jude Bellingham said England had achieved their immediate objective after sealing top spot in their World Cup group, but warned there was still significant room for improvement ahead of the knockout stage.

If there were any doubts that Argentina lacked a goalscorer other than the great Lionel Messi, those were put to rest when the defending champions took the lead through a Giovani Lo Celso freekick in their dead-rubber Group J clash against Jordan in Dallas on Sunday.

Scotland and South Korea were eliminated from the World Cup on Saturday after failing to make it into the top eight of the third-placed teams. Both teams exited after one win and two defeats.

Yoane Wissa scored twice as DR Congo beat Uzbekistan 3-1 and qualified for the last 32 of the World Cup for the first time in their history on Sunday.

Colombia finished top of World Cup Group K after playing out a highly entertaining end-to-end 0-0 draw with Portugal on Sunday.

Scotland manager Steve Clarke has stepped down following his side's elimination from the World Cup in the group stage, the Scottish Football Association announced Sunday.

Cape Verde's emergence has also become the most persuasive argument in favour of FIFA's expanded 48-team World Cup.

Portugal made one change to their starting lineup against Colombia for their final World Cup group game on Saturday, with Ruben Neves coming in for Joao Neves.