World Cup 2026 LIVE: Record-breaking Messi leads Argentina into last 32 as England prepare for Ghana

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The Independent

·23 juin 2026

World Cup 2026 LIVE: Record-breaking Messi leads Argentina into last 32 as England prepare for Ghana

Lionel Messi is now the all-time leading goalscorer in World Cup history after a double against Austria took him past Miroslav Klose and Argentina into the knockout rounds.

Messi’s 17th and 18th goals arrived despite a missed penalty in Dallas as the defending champions confirmed their place as Group J winners. Joining them in the last 32 are France and Norway, with Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland again to the fore despite weather threatening their games and delaying France’s success against Iraq by two hours.

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Hoping to join their fellow heavyweights in progressing are England, who have arrived in Boston as they prepare for a meeting with Ghana. A vibrant 4-2 win over Croatia represented an excellent start for Thomas Tuchel’s side but the manager will be wary of a recent tournament trend of scruffier second showings. Will Bukayo Saka be fit to play some part? Is the battle for No 10 settled? Victory would be enough to ensure England top the group.