World Cup Day 17: DR Congo progress, Messi scores again | OneFootball

The first knockout round of the FIFA World Cup 2026 is set after the conclusion of the group stages on day 17.

We’ve recapped all the happenings from Saturday’s action, including what you may have missed overnight.

World Cup Day 17:

England do just enough to top Group L

It wasn’t pretty from Thomas Tuchel’s team against Panama, but the Three Lions got the job done in the end. After a frustrating first half, Jude Bellingham broke the deadlock, before turning provider for Harry Kane to head home a second. Kane’s goal made it 11 scored at World Cup finals, overtaking Gary Lineker’s national record.

England will need to be better as the knockouts begin, but in Bellingham and Kane, have two top-tier difference makers.

Croatia leave it late to book knockout place

Croatia have reached at least the semi-finals at each of the last two World Cup tournaments, but their 2026 campaign started unconvincingly. Exposed against England on matchday one, Croatia then squeezed past Panama in their second fixture.

Zlatko Dalić’s side needed a result against Ghana and secured the points needed to progress as group runners-up. Petar Sucic’s stunner had been cancelled out by Derrick Luckassen for Ghana, but Nikola Vlasic met Luka Modric’s 83rd-minute corner to head home a decisive goal. Ghana will not feel too deflated, progressing into the knockouts as one of the best third-placed teams.

Messi makes more history as Argentina maintain perfect record

Argentina opted to rest Lionel Messi for the first hour of their dead-rubber with Jordan, but that didn’t stop the great man from making more World Cup history.

Goals from Giovani Lo Celso and Lautaro Martinez had put Argentina 2-1 ahead in the clash, until Messi came off the bench to make the result safe.

A low free-kick whipped into the bottom corner saw the 39-year-old tighten his grip on the Golden Boot race, with a sixth goal in three World Cup games. He’s now become the first man in World Cup history to score in seven straight games.

Algeria and Austria play out Game of the Tournament contender

Algeria and Austria played out an epic encounter, which included a dramatic finish, as both teams booked their place in the knockout rounds.

A draw would have been enough to send both through, but neither side settled for a point. Algeria twice came from behind, before taking a 3-2 lead in the 93rd minute through Riyad Mahrez. At that stage, Austria were heading home, but Sasa Kalajdzic headed in a 96th-minute equaliser to spark wild celebrations.

Austria’s last-gasp draw eliminated Iran and saw Austria become the first team to avoid defeat in a World Cup game after going behind in stoppage time.

DR Congo set up England showdown after historic win

Yoane Wissa endured a nightmare debut season at Newcastle United, but the DR Congo forward is enjoying himself at this summer’s World Cup. Wissa scored his country’s first-ever World Cup goal earlier in the tournament and was the hero as the African outfit reached the knockouts for the first time.

Eldor Shomurodov capitalised on a defensive mix-up to put Uzbekistan ahead in the contest, but DR Congo fought back after the break. Wissa levelled things up from the penalty spot after being brought down by Manchester City’s Abdukodir Khusanov, before Fiston Mayele poked in a second. Wissa wrapped up the win in stoppage time to seal unprecedented progress for DR Congo. England await.

Colombia denied but Portugal points secures top spot

Colombia had a last-gasp winner disallowed by a fraction, but the South Americans’ stalemate with Portugal did not impact the standings. Davinson Sanchez’s goal was ruled out by VAR in the sort of fractional decision that infuriates fans.

This was no boring draw. There were 37 efforts on goal between the two teams, with Colombia responsible for the bulk of them. No breakthrough was found, but Colombia march on as group winners. Their reward is a clash with Ghana, while Portugal meet Croatia.

Read – World Cup Round of 32 in full as England discover opponents

See more – World Cup Day 16: Cape Verde make history, Dembele delivers

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