FIFA World Cup 2026

[ghazi52]

Magic Messi makes World Cup history​

He scored a brace against Austria to advance into the last 32

AFP
June 23, 2026

Lionel Messi became the World Cup's all-time leading scorer as Argentina beat Austria. Photo: AFP

MIAMI: Lionel Messi became the leading scorer in World Cup history as the captain struck twice to give Argentina a 2-0 win over Austria on Monday and send the champions into the last 32.

The player widely regarded as the greatest of all time pounced late in the first half in Texas with a trademark left-footed finish after neat build-up play.

The predatory goal added to his hat-trick in Argentina's opening match to make it a record 17 in total at the World Cup.

The 38-year-old then sealed the match deep in second-half injury time as he outfoxed four defenders who lined up to keep the ball out.

It should have been even better for Messi, who missed a penalty early on, stunning a fiercely pro-Argentina 70,649 crowd at the air-conditioned home of the Dallas Cowboys.

"Very happy for the victory, it was very important, hard, hard, hard, and it gives us peace of mind for what is to come," Messi, at his sixth World Cup, told broadcasters.

 

[Master Chief]

What do you have against Salah though?

Premier League petty rivalries.

Anyway, let's see if England can get to the next round tonight with a win.

I'm going with 2-1 to England. Semenyo might grab the one for Ghana.

 

[AZ_HighCountry]

Premier League petty rivalries.

Anyway, let's see if England can get to the next round tonight with a win.

I'm going with 2-1 to England. Semenyo might grab the one for Ghana.

Need @Watandar to endorse England.

 

[ghazi52]

'Typical English conditions'
​

England v Ghana (21:00 BST)

Paul Robinson
Former England goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live

It is typical English conditions. It is very mild and it is pouring it down now. It will be conditions that England are thankful about.

 

[ghazi52]

Trump to attend World Cup final and present trophy​

In December, Trump received the inaugural Fifa Peace Prize before the draw for the 2026 World Cup

ByAlastair Telfer
BBC Sport journalist

United States president Donald Trump will attend the World Cup final and help present the trophy, says Fifa president Gianni Infantino.

Trump, 80, is yet to attend a game at the World Cup, but may still make an appearance before the final on 19 July at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

The World Cup started on 11 June and takes place in Canada, Mexico and the United States.

"We will be together with the president enjoying the final and handing the trophy to the winner, of course," Infantino, now a close friend of Trump, told Fox.

Asked if they would make the presentation together, Infantino added: "Of course, we are together all the time."

The United States is hosting 78 of the 104 matches at the tournament, which is also being held in Mexico and Canada.

Andrew Giuliani, the executive director of the White House's World Cup task force, told the Telegraph, external that Trump likes to "leave people watching" and is yet to attend a game because of his busy schedule.

Trump was at the UFC White House event last week, and was recently booed in New York as he became the first US president to attend the NBA Finals, watching game three which the eventual champions the New York Knicks lost 111-115 to the San Antonio Spurs.

Last summer, Trump remained on the winners' podium at MetLife Stadium after handing the Club World Cup trophy to Chelsea's Reece James, which caused apparent confusion to some of the players involved.

"They told me that he was going to present the trophy and then exit the stage and I thought that he was going to exit the stage, but he wanted to stay," said James.

 

[RocketLaw]

To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.

Accept third party cookies

To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.

Accept third party cookies

 

[Master Chief]

35 minutes in.

ZERO shot on target from Eng.

Ghana are here for the draw and England are clueless. But we knew that already when Tuchel said he was leaving Cole Palmer and Phil Foden behind! The two most skillful attacking players in England get left behind!

Tuchel is being paid by his home country to actually sabotage England - I'm telling you guys.

 

[Musings]

England look average to crap. Embarrassing when they promote and put themselves in the same league as Spain France Argentina etc - they look average

 

[PK781]

i'm glad Jordan is eliminated. good riddance.....no sympathy

 

[PakAl]

What did you tell me? I was always saying Iran should play for the draw against Egypt, I think they will dominate us

Iran needs to play defensive, make sure to not give any chances to Egypt and then score a quicky. Egypt is a great side but in a decline.

 

[PakAl]

35 minutes in.

ZERO shot on target from Eng.

Ghana are here for the draw and England are clueless. But we knew that already when Tuchel said he was leaving Cole Palmer and Phil Foden behind! The two most skillful attacking players in England get left behind!

Tuchel is being paid by his home country to actually sabotage England - I'm telling you guys.

Leaving Cole Palmer at home is unacceptable, hes a dangerous player, Foden is a big threat aswell. They are better than Gordon and Rashford.

 

[AZ_HighCountry]

Outstanding playing by Ghana.

 

[F-22Raptor]

Rough day for England

 

[Master Chief]

Outstanding playing by Ghana.

Credit where it's due. Ghana had a plan and executed it. England were England.

 

[Davey Crockett]