Lionel Messi is now the all-time leading goalscorer in World Cup history after a double against Austria took him past Miroslav Klose and Argentina into the knockout rounds.
Messi’s 17th and 18th goals arrived despite a missed penalty in Dallas as the defending champions confirmed their place as Group J winners. Joining them in the last 32 are France and Norway, with Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland again to the fore despite weather threatening their games and delaying France’s success against Iraq by two hours.
Hoping to join their fellow heavyweights in progressing are England, who have arrived in Boston as they prepare for a meeting with Ghana. A vibrant 4-2 win over Croatia represented an excellent start for Thomas Tuchel’s side but the manager will be wary of a recent tournament trend of scruffier second showings. Will Bukayo Saka be fit to play some part? Is the battle for No 10 settled? Victory would be enough to ensure England top the group.
Follow all of the latest news and updates from the 2026 World Cup with our live blog below:
Read MoreLionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo? The debate was always absurd
The concerning trend England must address in World Cup clash with Ghana
World Cup news LIVE
- World Cup 2026 continues with another busy day of group stage action
- Lionel Messi becomes all-time leading tournament goalscorer to help Argentina into knockout rounds
- France and Norway reach last 32 as Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland star
- England preparing for meeting with Ghana and chance to top Group L
- Thomas Partey set to feature having been denied entry into Canada
HAVE YOUR SAY: Who will win the World Cup golden boot?
10:00 , Harry Latham-CoyleWorld Cup 2026 golden boot standings as Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland lead race
09:55 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe chase for the golden boot is hotting up:
World Cup 2026 golden boot standings including Messi, Mbappe and Haaland
Erling Haaland leads iconic Norway celebration after double downs Senegal to secure World Cup progress
09:45 , Harry Latham-CoyleJoining Argentina and France in the last 32 are Norway, with Erling Haaland leading the charge both on the pitch and afterwards as he and the rest of the squad celebrated a 3-2 win against Senegal.
Haaland leads iconic Norway celebration after World Cup progression
What is Fifa’s weather protocol for World Cup 2026 amid risk of long delays due to lightning?
09:35 , Harry Latham-CoyleProbably worth keeping this one saved for the rest of the tournament – there could well be more delays at this World Cup:
World Cup 2026 matches face prospect of long delays due to lightning
Kylian Mbappe makes a statement as France overcome two-hour storm delay to beat Iraq at World Cup
09:30 , Harry Latham-CoyleIt was a wet and wild night for France and Iraq as a two-hour weather delay impacted their World Cup clash. Kylian Mbappe kept calm amid the chaos, though, as Chris Wilson explains:
Kylian Mbappe makes a statement as France overcome two-hour storm delay to beat Iraq
Austria coach Ralf Rangnick rages at Lionel Messi goal and double standards in Argentina defeat
09:20 , Harry Latham-CoyleBack to Lionel Messi, then, and Austria boss Ralf Rangnick was not best pleased about what he perceived as double standards, believing a foul from Argentina to have gone unspotted in the build-up to the Argentina captain’s first goal:
Austria coach rages at Lionel Messi goal and double standards in Argentina defeat
10 men and a statue: Portugal are sacrificing another World Cup for Cristiano Ronaldo’s ego
09:10 , Harry Latham-CoyleIs Cristiano Ronaldo a help or a hindrance to Portugal at this World Cup? Richard Jolly would argue the latter:
Portugal are sacrificing another World Cup for Cristiano Ronaldo’s ego
Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo? The debate was always absurd
09:00 , Harry Latham-CoyleCristiano Ronaldo will return to action a little later as Portugal take on Uzbekistan – but Miguel Delaney thinks we can consider the debate over he and Lionel Messi decisively settled:
Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo? The debate was always absurd
Lionel Messi’s historic World Cup moment sheds light on a vital quality
08:50 , Harry Latham-CoyleInto the last 32 with a record-breaker in their ranks are Argentina, with another two goals for Lionel Messi taking him past Miroslav Klose as the all-time leading World Cup scorer. Jack Rathborn was there:
Lionel Messi’s historic World Cup moment sheds light on a vital quality
Thomas Partey to make World Cup appearance when Ghana meet England in Boston
08:40 , Lawrence OstlereThomas Partey will make his first appearance in the 2026 World Cup when Ghana play against England on Tuesday. Partey was refused entry to Canada forcing him to miss Ghana’s opening match in Toronto, and he could be booed by spectators when he finally takes to the field in Boston.
The former Arsenal midfielder has been charged with seven counts of rape and one count of sexual assault by London’s Metropolitan Police and is awaiting trial. He has pleaded not guilty to, and denied, all charges.
Thomas Partey to make World Cup appearance when Ghana meet England in Boston
Coming up today...
08:30 , Harry Latham-CoyleEngland’s encounter with Ghana is one of four World Cup matches in another busy spell of action over the next 24 hours or so. Here is how you can watch it all in the United Kingdom
Portugal vs Uzbekistan (Group K) – 6pm BST – ITV 1, ITV X, STV, STV Player
England vs Ghana (Group L) – 9pm BST – BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website
Panama vs Croatia (Group L) – 12am BST – BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website
Colombia vs DR Congo (Group K) – 3am BST – ITV 1, ITV X, STV, STV Player
How ‘Tournament Thomas’ embraced the World Cup and changed England’s culture
08:20 , Harry Latham-CoyleRichard Jolly, meanwhile, has spent the week with Tuchel and England in Kansas City, and found the atmosphere rather different – and encouraging:
How ‘Tournament Thomas’ embraced the World Cup and changed England’s culture
The concerning trend England must address in World Cup clash with Ghana
08:11 , Harry Latham-CoyleEngland’s recent tournaments have been characterised by one common theme – subpar showings in their second outings. Miguel Delaney explains how Thomas Tuchel is aiming to address a worrying trend.
The concerning trend England must address in World Cup clash with Ghana
World Cup 2026 LIVE
08:08 , Harry Latham-CoyleA very good morning. It’s another bumper day of World Cup action with England looking to secure their place in the knockout rounds and top Group L as they face Ghana. A 4-2 win over Croatia was an excellent start for Thomas Tuchel’s side – can they join Argentina, France and Norway in booking their spot in the last 32?
