FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 results: Argentina break Cape Verde hearts, Egypt end long wait and Colombia advance
World Cup 2026 Round of 32 results: Argentina took on Cape Verde and Egypt played Australia. Colombia battled Ghana in the final round of 32 games.
Argentina 3-2 Cape Verde
Lionel Messi and Argentina avoided being at the receiving end of one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history against Cape Verde in their round of 32 match. On paper, the defending champions facing the tournament debutants was the biggest mismatch on the global stage, yet Cape Verde proved everyone wrong again.
The game in Miami started quietly but burst into life when Messi controlled Lisandro Martinez’s pass and finished emphatically to put his side ahead just around the half-hour mark. The scoreline remained the same until half time. As action resumed, Cape Verde started to show attacking intent and stunned their more illustrious opponents in the 59th minute.
Deroy Duarte drove into the box, and his shot went through the legs of Lisandro and beat Emiliano Martinez to draw them level. Lionel Scaloni’s side responded swiftly, and it was expected they would still see off their opponents comfortably. But Vozinha, who became a global sensation following his seven saves against Spain in the group stages, was once again the hero.
He denied Messi from a one-on-one situation and later kept out his free kick with another impressive save. Every time Argentina came forward to attack the goal, somebody from Cape Verde stood up as the game went to extra time.
It took just two minutes for La Albiceleste to take the lead. A Messi corner was just flicked on by Alexis Mac Allister, and Lisandro fired a powerful shot to beat the incredible Vozinha. At this point, many inside the Hard Rock stadium and those watching at home thought the African nation’s dream run was finally over, their resistance broken at last. But the Blue Sharks bit back.
Sidny Lopes Cabral curled in arguably the goal of the tournament from the left side to beat Martinez in the 103rd minute and spark wild celebrations. Cabral ran up the stands to celebrate with his family, not believing what he just did. But Argentina had one last play in them.
Messi’s corner was headed by Cristian Romero and took a deflection off Diney Borges in the 111th minute to go into goal. Bubista’s men were not giving up, and Cabral saw his free kick brilliantly tipped over by Martinez as the World Champions survived an almighty scare. Cape Verde entered Hard Rock Stadium as the smallest nation to play in a World Cup knockout game; they leave with a big mark on the tournament.
Egypt 1-1 Australia (Egypt win 4-2 on penalties)
Egypt won a knockout game for the first time in their history to progress to the round of 16. This World Cup has been a watershed moment for the African side, and they continue their impressive run.
Apart from an early Cristian Volpato attempt, Egypt appeared in control and ahead in 13 minutes. Karim Hafez’s cross from the right was headed well by Emam Ashour to beat Patrick Beach. The Pharaohs remained in ascendancy as the first half came to an end.
They had the chance to double their lead within seconds of the restart, but Omar Marmoush’s attempt went just wide when he was through on goal. Ten minutes later, Australia were level.
Aiden O’Neil put in a tempting free kick from the left side, and it was glanced in by the unfortunate Mohamed Hany, making him only the second player in history to score two own goals at a single World Cup. The game saw a few clear-cut chances as Egypt appeared to be frustrated by the stubborn Aussie defence. Still, they had the chance to snatch a late winner, but Beach made a stunning full-stretch save to parry away Ramy Rabia’s goal bound header in the 94th minute.
In extra time, Mohamed Salah saw his volley go over the crossbar under pressure from a tight angle early in the first. The rest of the game became about not making a mistake, and two minutes before the penalty shootout, Socceroos coach replaced Beach with experienced keeper Matt Ryan.
Australia had a dreadful start to the shootout with Harry Souttar sending his shot well over the crossbar. Mahmoud Saber then scored to put Egypt in command. Successful penalties for Jackson Irvine and Rami Rabia followed, and Awer Mabil’s cool finish made it 2-2. Mo Salah then stepped up to the spot and delivered an ice-cool Panenka to put pressure on Australia.
18-year-old defender Lucas Herrington hit the crossbar from his spot kick to put Egypt on the cusp. Hossam Abdelmaguid sent Ryan, who failed to make a single stop, the wrong way to give Egypt their first-ever knockout win at the World Cup. The image of an emotional Salah celebrating the feat will live long in the memory of Egyptian fans.
This win now sets up an enticing tie against Argentina in the last 16, with a Salah vs. Messi showdown in the offing.
Colombia 1-0 Ghana
Colombia booked their place in the last 16 of the World Cup with a comfortable win over a toothless Ghana. The South American side were rarely troubled as they continued to live up to their potential.
Ghana started the game with Thomas Partey seeing his long-range effort go just wide of the post. From there on, it was all Colombia. Substitute Luis Suarez, who came on for the injured Jhon Cordoba, crossed from the right wing and saw Jhon Arias hit a low volley to steer it home. Luiz Diaz had the chance to double the lead but hit the side netting from close range.
Suarez powered a header wide, and Johan Mojica saw his header well kept out by Ati Zigi in goal. The second half began similarly, with Ati denying Gustavo Puerta with a stretched save and Diaz having a goal ruled out for offside. Ghana, on the other hand, failed to register a single shot on target until the very end.
Partey had the chance to make Los Cafeteros pay for their lack of cutting but drove wide from his low effort with around 20 minutes left. Carlos Queiroz’s side had registered only four shots on target in three group games and never looked like forcing extra time in Kansas City.
At the end, Colombia broke little sweat to set up a last 16 tie against Switzerland in Vancouver on July 8.
