It was the final day of the group stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
There were six games a day, and these games would determine who advances and who goes home. These games featured teams from Groups J, K and L.
Let’s dive into the chaos that unfolded on this day.
England vs Panama: Three Lions prevail
At New York/New Jersey Stadium, England looked to win Group L. Panama was already eliminated, but they were looking to score a goal. They were the only team not to score a goal at this World Cup.
In the pouring rain of East Rutherford, New Jersey, England also looked to have a better attacking output after their dreadful 0-0 draw against Ghana. England, in their red kits, dominated possession early. Marcus Rashford on the left wing and Morgan Rogers alongside Jude Bellingham in the midfield added a new dynamic.
But the English still lacked that killer instinct. Panama goalkeeper Orlando Mosquera was making easy saves. Panama weren’t playing a low block, but England still had trouble with their final third play. They also couldn’t get Harry Kane involved. The Bayern Munich star striker only had two touches in the first half.
England started to look more lively in the second half. Rashford hit the side netting while running down the wing, and Kane was stopped by Mosquera after he received a nice through ball from Bellingham.
The Three Lions finally broke their goal drought in the 61st minute. Bukayo Saka delivered the corner kick, which found Bellingham. Despite being marked, the Real Madrid midfielder managed to tap the ball into the net.
It didn’t take long for England to get another. After a frustrating game against Ghana and the first half against Panama, Kane had his moment. Bellingham crossed the ball into the box, and despite being marked, Kane leaped and headed the ball past Mosquera.
It took time, but England pulled through and won Group L. Once again the England fans were singing: “It’s Coming Home.” But will it? It’s been 60 years of hurt.
Croatia vs Ghana: Croatia pull through
Meanwhile, at Philadelphia Stadium, Croatia were also looking to win the group.
Both teams were cautious, and it felt like a chess match. Ghana’s structure was against Croatia’s creativity. The breakthrough came 30 minutes in, thanks to Peter Sucic’s brilliant strike from outside the box.
Ghana did not want to go down quietly. Antoine Semenyo nearly tied the game, but the shot was just wide.
The gritty battle continued. Ghana continued to control the game. They tied the game in the 77th minute thanks to Derrick Luckassen. The Palos centre-back managed to sneak in behind the Croatian defenders and tap in Ernest Nuamah’s free kick. But after a lengthy VAR check for offside, the goal stood.
Croatia took the lead back a few minutes later. From Luca Modric’s corner kick, Nikola Vlasic headed the ball in. Vlasic hit the post in the first half, so that had to feel good for him.
Despite the push from the Black Stars, Croatia managed to hang on and finished second in Group L.
Colombia vs Portugal: Entertaining scoreless affair
0-0 games can be exciting. This was one of those cases.
Luis Diaz and Colombia faced Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal at Miami Stadium.
This game was full of back-and-forth action. However, Columbia got more chances. They had a total of 24 shots and six on target for 1.63 expected goals. For Portugal, they had managed 13 shots, two on target and 0.70 xG.
There was chaos within the first five minutes of the game. Colombia’s Jhon Arias had a close-range header go over the bar, and Portugal’s Ruben Neves had his shot go wide.
That was more or less the story of the game. Both teams had trouble finishing despite the frantic action. Ronaldo’s only shot on target of the game was a long-range free kick that went right to Colombian goalkeeper Camilo Vargas.
Speaking of goalkeepers, Portugal’s Diogo Costa was busy. The goalkeeper of Porto made crucial saves off Jhon Cordoba, James Rodriguez and Jefferson Lerma.
Columbia thought they won it in stoppage time. Davinson Sanchez headed in Juan Fernando Quintero’s cross, but Sanchez was a hair offside. Fine lines.
As a result, Colombia won the group, and Portugal finished second.
Uzbekistan vs DR Congo: Leopards make history
Games between “minnow” countries ended up being exciting ones at this World Cup. This game at Atlanta Stadium was no different.
It was Uzbekistan who struck first 10 minutes in thanks to Eldor Shomurodov’s stunning strike. Seven minutes later, it looked like Nathanael Mbuku tied the game with the half-volley, but he was offside. That was determined after a VAR review.
But DR Congo woke up in the second half. They started getting chances and making Uzbekistan goalkeeper Abduvohid Nematov make some saves.
It felt inevitable that DR Congo would score. It came in the 68th minute thanks to Newcastle United’s Yoan Wissa. He stepped up and scored his penalty kick. It was a cool finish down the right corner.
The Congolese continued to push, and Fiston Mayele flicked on Meschack Elia’s shot past Nematov in the 78th minute. Wissa sealed the win with a shot into the bottom right corner in stoppage time.
For the first time in their history, DR Congo were in the knockout stages of the World Cup. It was 52 years since they qualified (then as Zaire), and this was a huge moment for the Leopards.
Argentina vs Jordan: Messi magic off the bench
The game at Dallas Stadium didn’t mean anything other than vibes. Argentina were already through to the Round of 32 and won Group J. Jordan were already eliminated.
Even with Lionel Messi on the bench, Argentina were in control of the game with their possession and crisp passes. It took 18 minutes for Argentina to score. It came from a beauty of a free kick from Real Betis’ Giovani Lo Celso. He was part of the 2022 World Cup-winning squad but did not play a single minute. This was a lovely free kick.
Argentina continued to pin Jordan in their own half. They doubled the lead thanks to Lautaro Martinez’s penalty. He converted it after Marco Senesi was kneed in the head.
Jordan made things interesting 10 minutes into the second half. Mousa Tamari got in behind the Argentinian defence to poke in Ehsan Haddad’s through ball. Their team was going home, but they were scoring against the reigning World Cup champions.
Argentina wanted to keep the game out of reach for Jordan. Messi was brought on to thunderous applause from the fans in the 60th minute. He helped his teammates shut Argentina down, and in the 80th minute, he did what he did best.
Algeria vs Austria: Madness
This game at Kansas City Stadium was bonkers, though that is putting it lightly.
One of these teams had to win for Iran to qualify for the Round of 32. The Iranian team and their fans were watching closely.
Early on, Austria was pushing and making Algeria chase. Marko Arnautovic chased down David Alaba’s excellent pass to get by the Algerian defence, and he beat Oussama Benbot, who was starting instead of Luca Zidane.
Algeria then started to come alive, and they looked lightning fast on the transitions. Two minutes before halftime, Algeria scored one of the most bizarre goals you will ever see. The ball bounced off the corner flag, and then Rafik Belghali managed to beat the Austrian defence and beat Alexander Schlager. Well done to Riyad Mahrez for keeping the ball in.
In the 55th minute, Konrad Laimer sped down the wing and found Marcel Sabitzer in the box. The Borussia Dortmund midfielder blasted his shot into the top right corner. Austria took the lead.
Algeria responded quickly. Just five minutes later, Houssem Aouar made an explosive run down the left wing and found Mahrez, who slotted it home. Austria’s defenders were so busy looking at Aouar that they forgot to mark Mahrez.
From that point, both teams were content with passing the ball around and barely attacking. It looked like the game was going to crawl its way to a draw.
At least that is what everybody thought. In stoppage time, the Austrian defenders again forgot to mark Mahrez, and it looked like he won it for his country. It also looked like Iran was going to the knockout round.
But as the old saying goes, it is not over until it is over. This is why millions around the world love soccer and the World Cup. Moments after Mahrez’s goal, Saša Kalajdžić headed in a close-range header after Michael Gregoritsch did a great job keeping it in. Madness. Iran and their fans were heartbroken.
As a result, Austria finished second in Group J and Algeria finished third.
Masterclass of the Day
This is insane and goes to show how much of a lethal goal scorer Kane is.
Disasterclass of the day
Pedro Neto is one of those players who is either really good or really bad, no in between.
Stat of the day
Another day, another record broken by Messi.
Wrap-up
So what does this all mean?
Due to the madness of the Austria and Algeria game, the Algerians are off to Vancouver to face Switzerland at BC Place on July 2. Austria is going to face Spain on the same day at Los Angeles Stadium.
Argentina and Cabo Verde are going to kick off at Miami Stadium on July 3. Also, on July 3, Colombia is going to face Ghana in Kansas City.
Ronaldo will play on Canadian soil as he and Portugal face Modric and Croatia on July 2 at Toronto Stadium. On July 1 at New York/New Jersey Stadium, England will face DR Congo.
Here are the full Round of 32 matchups. One of these teams will lift the World Cup trophy in New Jersey on July 19.
The Round of 32 begins Sunday at noon as Canada faces South Africa. Both those teams are in the knockout stages for the first time. It should be exciting!
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