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.
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.
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Coming up today…
England’s encounter with Ghana is one of four World Cup matches in another busy spell of action over the next 24 hours or so. Here is how you can watch it all in the United Kingdom
Portugal vs Uzbekistan (Group K) – 6pm BST – ITV 1, ITV X, STV, STV Player
England vs Ghana (Group L) – 9pm BST – BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website
Panama vs Croatia (Group L) – 12am BST – BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website
Colombia vs DR Congo (Group K) – 3am BST – ITV 1, ITV X, STV, STV Player
How ‘Tournament Thomas’ embraced the World Cup and changed England’s culture
Richard Jolly, meanwhile, has spent the week with Tuchel and England in Kansas City, and found the atmosphere rather different – and encouraging:
The concerning trend England must address in World Cup clash with Ghana
England’s recent tournaments have been characterised by one common theme – subpar showings in their second outings. Miguel Delaney explains how Thomas Tuchel is aiming to address a worrying trend.
World Cup 2026 LIVE
A very good morning. It’s another bumper day of World Cup action with England looking to secure their place in the knockout rounds and top Group L as they face Ghana. A 4-2 win over Croatia was an excellent start for Thomas Tuchel’s side – can they join Argentina, France and Norway in booking their spot in the last 32?
