Messi scores twice as Argentina beat Austria 2-0 to reach World Cup Round of 32

The FIFA World Cup 2026 continued to deliver drama and crucial results as several teams strengthened their positions in the race for the Round of 32. Egypt created history with their first-ever World Cup victory, while Argentina, France and Norway secured important wins. Elsewhere, Belgium and Iran played out a tense stalemate, while Uruguay and Cabo Verde shared the spoils in a thrilling draw.Also Read: FIFA World Cup standingsBelgium and Iran settle for goalless drawBelgium and Iran failed to find the breakthrough as their Group G clash ended in a 0-0 draw. Both sides produced disciplined defensive displays and created only a handful of clear-cut opportunities. The result left the group finely balanced heading into the final round of fixtures, with qualification still up for grabs.Iran's ability to frustrate one of Europe's strongest teams earned them a valuable point, while Belgium were left searching for their first win of the tournament.Uruguay and Cabo Verde share points in thrillerUruguay and Cabo Verde played out an entertaining 2-2 draw in Group H. Cabo Verde once again impressed against higher-ranked opposition and continued their remarkable World Cup campaign.The result kept both teams in contention for a place in the knockout rounds. Uruguay showed resilience to avoid defeat, but the draw complicated their qualification hopes ahead of a decisive final group-stage encounter.Egypt script history with first World Cup victoryEgypt produced one of the stories of the tournament by defeating New Zealand 3-1 to record the first World Cup win in the nation's history.The Pharaohs dominated large portions of the match and were rewarded with three crucial points. The victory lifted Egypt to the top of Group G after they had opened their campaign with a draw against Belgium.Egypt now require only a point against Iran in their final group match to guarantee top spot. Even a defeat could still be enough to secure a historic place in the knockout stages, something the nation has never achieved before.Argentina continue winning run against AustriaArgentina maintained their perfect start to the tournament with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Austria in Group J.The South American giants controlled possession for most of the contest and produced another mature performance to collect all three points. The win strengthened Argentina's position at the top of the group and confirmed their place in the Round of 32.With two victories from two matches, Lionel Scaloni's side have emerged as one of the strongest contenders for the title.France cruise past IraqFrance delivered another commanding display as they defeated Iraq 3-0 in Group I.The former world champions dominated from the outset and rarely looked troubled. Their attacking quality proved too much for Iraq, who struggled to cope with France's pace and movement.The victory secured France's qualification for the knockout rounds and extended their unbeaten run in the competition. With six points from two matches, Les Bleus are firmly in control of their group.Norway edge Senegal in five-goal thrillerNorway and Senegal served up one of the most exciting matches of the tournament, with Norway emerging 3-2 winners.The contest swung from end to end as both teams created numerous chances. Norway eventually held their nerve to secure a vital victory that significantly boosted their hopes of progressing to the Round of 32.The result leaves Senegal facing a difficult task in their final group match, while Norway are now in a strong position to advance alongside France from Group I.With the group stage entering its decisive phase, the latest round of matches has already produced history, memorable performances and major shifts in the qualification race. Egypt's breakthrough victory and the continued dominance of teams such as Argentina and France have added further excitement to an increasingly unpredictable FIFA World Cup 2026.

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Lionel Messi became the World Cup's all-time leading goalscorer on Monday, scoring twice as holders Argentina powered into the last 32 with a 2-0 victory over Austria. Messi swept home a low finish in the 38th minute of the Group J game in Arlington, Texas to take his career World Cup goals tally to 17, one clear of the previous record of 16 he shared with Miroslav Klose. He then extended his record to 18 goals, ramming home a finish through a crowd of defenders deep in stoppage time to put the seal on Argentina's win. The eight-time Ballon D'Or winner, who turns 39 on Wednesday, had blown a chance to break the record after eight minutes when he dragged a penalty wide of the post. But the Argentina skipper made no mistake seven minutes before half-time, coolly placing his finish beyond the dive of Austrian goalkeeper Alexander Schlager. He then completed his double in the fifth minute of stoppage time to take his tally for the tournament to five goals following his hat-trick in Argentina's opening 3-0 win over Algeria last week. Monday's victory guarantees Argentina a place in the knockout rounds of the tournament, and the South Americans could clinch top spot later Monday if Jordan fail to beat Algeria. Messi is now four goals clear of another player eyeing the all-time World Cup scoring record, Kylian Mbappe, who will play his 100th game for France when they meet Iraq in Philadelphia. "There is nothing bigger — 100 is a historic figure, and to have the chance to reach that tally here at a World Cup means it will be a special match for me," Mbappe said on Sunday. Mbappe, 27, is tied with West Germany legend Gerd Mueller on 14 goals after he netted twice in France's opening 3-1 win against Senegal in Group I. France, who were beaten by Argentina on penalties in the last final in 2022, will expect to brush aside the Iraqis to guarantee a ticket to the knockout phase in a match which could be interrupted with thunderstorms forecast in Philadelphia. Norway and their marksman Erling Haaland, who scored twice against Iraq in a 4-1 opening win, will also be guaranteed of going through from Group I if they beat Senegal in New Jersey and France defeat Iraq. The World Cup, though, is over for German defender Nico Schlotterbeck. The 26-year-old injured ligaments in his left ankle in Saturday's 2-1 win over Ivory Coast. In Sunday's action, Spain got their campaign back on track with a 4-0 thrashing of Saudi Arabia and World Cup debutants Cape Verde conjured up another memorable performance to snatch a 2-2 draw with Uruguay. Cape Verde coach Bubista said his team were now dreaming of a place in the knockout rounds — a scenario that would have been unthinkable before the tournament. "We want to show the entire world that we are in the condition to fight for qualification, and I think that that's what we showed in today's match," Bubista said. Belgium are still looking for their first win after being held to a 0-0 draw by Iran in Group G. The Red Devils, who also drew with Egypt in their opener, finished the game in Los Angeles with 10 men and struggled to break down a resolute Iranian side. Iran are competing at the World Cup while their country and the United States are in negotiations to end their war. And the Iranian team left a handwritten message saying "may peace, respect and friendship prevail among all nations" following their match at SoFi Stadium. "We came to Los Angeles with pride, competed with honour, and leave with dignity. May peace, respect and friendship prevail among all nations." Egypt moved to the top of the group on Sunday after coming from behind to claim the first World Cup victory in the country's history, a 3-1 win over New Zealand.