World Cup 2026: England progress as Scotland crash out and Messi scores

DR Congo come from behind to set up England tie

DR Congo 3-1 Uzbekistan

Adam Millington

BBC Sport journalist

DR Congo set up a World Cup last-32 meeting with England by reaching the knockouts for the first time as they came from behind to beat Uzbekistan in their final group-stage game.

Eldor Shomurodov capitalised on a defensive mix-up to give Uzbekistan the advantage when he dinked an effort over the goalkeeper, after Axel Tuanzebe and Aaron Wan-Bissaka miscommunicated and took too long to challenge for a loose ball.

Uzbekistan were on top throughout much of the first half and produced attacking flair as they pressed to extend their lead.

But it was the African side who came closest to scoring, and had a goal arguably harshly disallowed for a foul in their own half in the build-up before Nathanael Mbuku fizzed an effort inside the near post.

With progression to the knockouts on the line, DR Congo came out after the break with added energy as they looked for a way to snatch the three points.

They were handed a lifeline when Newcastle's Yoane Wissa was clumsily tripped inside the box by Manchester City's Abdukodir Khusanov, with Wissa then stroking past the goalkeeper from the penalty spot.

Fiston Mayele then put DR Congo ahead by prodding past Abduvohid Nematov from close range after he tracked the path of a deflected Meschack Elia shot.

Wissa then wrapped up victory in style as he arrowed an effort inside the far post from the edge of the box in stoppage time.

Victory means DR Congo finish third in Group K and will play England in Atlanta on Wednesday (17:00 BST).

Stalemate seals top spot for Colombia

Colombia 0-0 Portugal

Emma Smith

BBC Sport

Colombia had a late goal controversially ruled out for offside but they still topped Group K at the expense of Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal in Miami.

The South Americans appeared to have won a thrilling game in the 90th minute when Davinson Sanchez headed home, but he was denied by the verdict of the assistant referee - having been offside by a fraction.

Replays, broadcast in the stadium to hearty boos, showed the tip of the former Tottenham centre-back's right boot was offside when the cross was delivered for him to head past Diogo Costa.

While it was offside by the letter of the law and did not affect the group standings, it denied Colombia a win they would have deserved on the balance of play and left a sour taste in the BBC studio.

"It's onside, I don't care what they're telling me and what information they're giving me, that is onside," former England striker and BBC pundit Wayne Rooney said.

"That cannot be offside. Imagine that goal was to decide if Colombia were in or out of the next round."

Colombia manager Nestor Lorenzo meanwhile joked in his post-match media conference that he would ask Sanchez to visit a podologist before their next game.

Stoppage-time drama in six-goal thriller

Algeria 3-3 Austria

Alex Hoad

BBC Sport

Algeria and Austria produced an incredible finish as both secured the point they needed to reach the World Cup knockout stages - and eliminate Iran.

Austria - who led twice - were heading out when Riyad Mahrez scored his second of the game to put Algeria 3-2 ahead in the 93rd minute.

At that stage, Iran were going through as one of the eight best third-placed teams.

But then Sasa Kalajdzic headed a 96th-minute equaliser to secure a point in the Group J meeting that sparked dramatic scenes of celebration among the Austria contingent in Kansas City.

In snatching that late draw, Austria became the first team to avoid defeat in a World Cup match having fallen behind after the 90-minute mark.

Iran - who had seen a late winning goal disallowed for offside following a video assistant referee check in Saturday's 1-1 draw with Egypt in Group G - are out despite being unbeaten, having drawn all three of their matches.

But even though Austria and Algeria went into this match knowing a draw would take them both through, there was no sense of a repeat of the 'Disgrace of Gijon'.

In that infamous match at the 1982 World Cup in Spain, West Germany beat Austria 1-0 in a group match where both teams went through the motions. They had known that scoreline would put them both through at the expense of Algeria.

But this match was played in the right spirit throughout, with the intensity only dropping off in the final few minutes before two goals in added-time.

Messi sets another record as Argentina beat Jordan

Jordan 1-3 Argentina

Sam Drury

BBC Sport

Lionel Messi came off the bench to score and break yet another record as Argentina maintained their perfect start to the World Cup with a comfortable victory over Jordan in Dallas.

Having been left on the bench, with Argentina having already won Group J, Messi was brought on in the 60th minute to the loudest cheer of the night.

That was until he curled a low free-kick around the wall to extend Argentina's lead with 10 minutes to go.

The goal was Messi's sixth of the tournament already - putting him two clear of his nearest challengers in the race for the golden boot - and a record-extending 19th World Cup goal.

It also meant the former Barcelona forward became the first man to score in seven consecutive World Cup games.

Earlier, former Tottenham midfielder Giovani lo Celso had opened the scoring for a much-changed Argentina team as he whipped a superb free-kick into the top corner.

Striker Lautaro Martinez doubled the lead with an emphatic penalty thumped into the bottom corner, after the referee had been sent to the monitor to see Marcos Senesi had been inadvertently kicked in the head as he dived to head the ball at goal.

While Argentina were in control, Jordan continued to fight and halved the deficit with a brilliantly worked goal 10 minutes into the second half.

Having started the move, substitute Mousa Al Tamari was there to convert Ehsan Haddad's excellent ball across the face of goal.

The stadium erupted a couple of minutes later when Messi was introduced for the last half hour.

There was a buzz of excitement every time he got on the ball in the final third and he gave the fans at Dallas Stadium the moment they so craved with another record-breaking goal.

England's defensive worries continue

Panama 0-2 England

Phil McNulty

BBC Sport chief football writer at New York New Jersey Stadium

England may have secured the victory that put them top of their group, but this was not a win without concerns for head coach Thomas Tuchel.

Panama are ranked 42nd in the world and were already out of the tournament, but they gave England's uncertain defence far too much trouble for Tuchel's comfort as they registered 13 shots.

England simply cannot afford to be as open against sides of greater quality or the punishment will be heavy, perhaps terminal in the World Cup context.

And Tuchel will hope Quansah's injury does not prove to be serious and further expose his defensive resources at right-back, with Reece James struggling with a hamstring problem - an injury that has plagued the Chelsea defender in the past.

Quansah knock further adds to right-back issue

Panama 0-2 England

Jarrell Quansah was the starting right-back for England against Panama, after Thomas Tuchel said the Three Lions would '"find solutions" to replace Reece James, who is out until the round of 32 at the earliest with a hamstring injury.

The right-back role has become something of a poisoned chalice this tournament, with the player Tuchel originally called up as a back-up to James, Tino Livramento, being forced to miss the tournament through injury.

Quansah, who played regularly in a back three for Bayer Leverkusen last season and is more naturally suited to a centre-back role, took a knock in the second half of Saturday's match when he collided with an opponent, and Tuchel had to substitute him.

That leaves Djed Spence as England's only natural right-back going into the knockout stages, while Aston Villa's Ezri Konsa - who has started every match so far at centre-back - has also been mentioned as a player who could fill the right-back void.

'We must not lose sight of the undeniable progress' - Scottish FA chief executive

Steve Clarke resigns as Scotland manager

Scott Mullen

BBC Sport Scotland at Miami Stadium

Steve Clarke became Scotland head coach seven years ago, with the country having not reached a major finals since the World Cup in 1998.

Under his stewardship, the Scots reached two European Championships before making it to this summer's World Cup.

However, despite that qualification success, Scotland underwhelmed in all three tournaments, with the win against Haiti earlier this month the only victory across the finals.

Scotland went into Wednesday's game against Brazil well placed to be one of the best third-placed teams in the competition, only for defensive mistakes to undermine that bid.

"While we are all disappointed to have exited the World Cup at the group stage, we must not lose sight of the undeniable progress made during Steve's seven years in charge," said Scottish FA chief executive Ian Maxwell.

"From starting as a pot four team in 2019 to topping our World Cup qualifying group, he has more than delivered on the remit to take Scotland back to a major tournament.

"We thank Steve for his record-breaking contribution and know that when the disappointment of World Cup elimination subsides, the Scotland supporters will be thankful for the memories of marching with pride at major tournaments once again."

Clarke resigns after World Cup exit - how things unfolded for Scotland

So Scotland's World Cup elimination was confirmed when Croatia beat Ghana on Saturday.

The three points they gained in the opener against Haiti were not enough for Scotland to qualify as a third-placed team.

Upon this confirmation, manager Steve Clarke announced his resignation, just a month after signing a new four-year deal.

"The most emotional part of this goodbye is for my players, without whom we wouldn't have had any of the memories that we've accumulated from 2019 until now," he said.

"They deserve all the praise and adulation that they receive and it was truly an honour to be called their gaffer.

"Thanks for having me and good luck to my successor."

Croatia edge to victory over Ghana - which eliminates Scotland

Croatia 2-1 Ghana

Matt Howarth

BBC Sport

Nikola Vlasic scored a late header as Croatia booked their place in the World Cup last 32 with victory over already-qualified Ghana in Philadelphia.

Zlatko Dalic's side needed to avoid defeat against the Black Stars to be sure of a place in the knockout stages, but Vlasic's effort seven minutes from time ensured they qualified as runners-up to England – who beat Panama in Group L's other game.

Ghana defender Derrick Luckassen had cancelled out Petar Sucic's stunning first-half opener in the 73rd minute, but the Black Stars were unable to hold on for a point and will now head into the last 32 as one of the best third-placed sides.

Croatia's victory also ended any lingering hopes Scotland may have had of qualifying for the knockout stages.

The Scots would have needed Croatia to lose by three goals or more to keep their hopes alive.

Would playing later have made a difference to Scotland?

It's a fair point Yulian, and Scotland certainly came off the worst in that regard, playing their matches earlier then having to wait it out.

Playing Haiti - the lowest-ranked side - first in what was a very tough group also had an impact on their chances. Their 1-0 win was never going to be enough, was it?

Senegal, for example, lost against France and Norway, but squeezed through on three points thanks to a 5-0 win in their final game against Iraq.

They were the only third-placed side to make it through on three points, courtesy of their +2 goal difference.

In hindsight, Scotland could only have made it through by claiming a draw against Brazil in their final game.

But if they had been playing later in the competition, and faced Haiti in their final game, would that have made a difference to their chances?

Click here to read article