The Round of 32 at FIFA World Cup 2026™ came to a close as three nations became the last to book their spots in the last 16.
Defending champions Argentina survived an almighty fright from Cape Verde to set up a Round of 16 clash with Egypt, who had edged Australia earlier on penalties earlier in the day. Whilst Colombia secured smooth progression with an early goal against Ghana to set up a date with Switzerland next.
Round of 32
Australia 1 -1 Egypt (Penalties: 2-4)
Talisman Mohammed Salah played through an apparent hamstring strain as Egypt found a way to record their first win in a FIFA World Cup knockout match and advance to the last 16, defeating Australia 4-2 on penalties after 120 minutes in Dallas.
The Pharaohs made a perfect start, Emam Ashour giving them the lead after 13 minutes from a free kick delivery into the box. Australia had never before won a knockout match at the World Cup either, but found an equaliser shortly after the break, Egyptian defender Mohamed Hany getting a touch into his own net from a similar set-piece situation to the corresponding goal.
The gloves of Socceroos goalkeeper Patrick Beach sent the contest to an extra half an hour, producing one of the saves of the tournament to deny a close-range header from Rami Rabia in second half stoppage-time.
It was Egypt who kept their cool from the penalty spot though after neither could be separated following 120 minutes, Australian defenders Harry Souttar and Lucas Herrington both missing as the Pharaohs move onto a date with Argentina in the Round of 16.
Argentina 3-2 Cape Verde (aet)
On paper, this appeared one of the biggest mismatches in the history of knockout stage football at the FIFA World Cup. On the field it proved anything but, Lionel Messi and Argentina needing 120 minutes to edge tournament debutants Cape Verde 3-2 in Miami.
With a population of just over 500,000 people (the second-least populated nation to qualify for a World Cup), just reaching the Round of 32 was a significant achievement for the tiny West African archipelego of Cape Verde. And when Lionel Messi broke the deadlock with his seventh goal of the 2026 tournament in the 27th minute, and a record-extending 20th at World Cup’s overall, Argentina looked to be on their way.
Cape Verde had other ideas though, and stunned the largely pro-Argentine crowd when Deroy Duarte forced the match to extra-time with a superb finish at the near post just prior to the hour mark.
Again Argentina appeared to have booked their tickets to the Round of 16 when Lisandro Martinez put them back ahead in the 92nd minute, but again Cape Verde picked themselves back up off the canvas. Sidny Cabral found the top-right corner with a stunning right-footed strike, levelling the contest at two apiece.
Just as the greatest upset in World Cup history looked on the cards though, Argentina finally struck the decisive blow, Christian Romero’s header deflecting into the back of the net off Cape Verde defender Sidny in the 111th minute. The final whistle left the defending champions breathing a sigh of relief, but left the football world in awe of the effort of Cape Verde.
Colombia 1-0 Ghana
Played in front of a sea of yellow in Kansas City, Colombia became the final side to book their place in the Round of 16 with a comfortable 1-0 victory over a limited Ghanaian side.
Playing their first knockout match at a World Cup since their infamous quarter-final defeat to Uruguay in 2010, Ghana were again pitted against South American opposition. The structured defensive plan that had seen them finish as one of the best third-placed sides during the group stage went out the window early though, John Arias scoring the game’s only goal in the 16th minute.
Colombia had other opportunities to score, including a close-range header from Johan Mojica that was saved by Lawrence Ati Zigi, and a disallowed goal for Luis Diaz, but otherwise never really got out of second gear in a contest they controlled.
Ghana failed to muster so much as even a shot on target in response to the opener, and Colombia will move on to face Switzerland in the last 16.
Results
Round of 32
Australia 1 (Own Goal 55′) Egypt 1 (Emam Ashour 13′)
Egypt won 4-2 on penalties
Argentina 3 (Lionel Messi 27′, Lisando Martinez 92′, Own Goal 111′) Cape Verde 2 (Deroy Duarte 59′, Sidney Cabral 103′)
aet
Colombia 1 (John Arias 14′) Ghana 0
What’s Next
Sunday July 5th
Round of 16
Canada v Morocco: 5am NZT
Paraguay v France: 9am NZT
Photo credits: FIFA via Getty Images