QtrendsWorld Cup 2026 group stage concludes with dramatic finishes: Colombia and Portugal draw 0-0 to both advance, Messi makes history scoring in his seventh consecutive World Cup match as Argentina beats Jordan, Austria and Algeria trade stoppage-time goals in a 3-3 thriller that sends both through, the round-of-32 knockout bracket is confirmed, and DR Congo's historic win sets up a clash with England.
Colombia and Portugal played out a tense 0-0 draw that saw both teams advance to the World Cup knockout stage. Colombia topped their group despite having a late goal ruled out for offside by the narrowest of margins. Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo was held scoreless in what was a frenetic and physical contest. The result sets up contrasting knockout path matchups for both sides.
Lionel Messi became the first player in history to score in seven consecutive World Cup matches as Argentina defeated Jordan. He also extended his all-time World Cup goals record with another clinical finish. Jordan exited the tournament winless despite a goal from Mousa Al-Tamari. Argentina's commanding performance positions them as strong contenders heading into the knockout rounds.
Austria and Algeria played out a stunning 3-3 draw with goals flowing deep into stoppage time, with both teams advancing to the knockout stage. Austria scored a dramatic 96th-minute equalizer after a back-and-forth contest. Algeria had taken the lead late but could not hold on. The result was enough for both sides to progress from their group in one of the most thrilling matches of the tournament so far.
The full knockout bracket for the 2026 World Cup round of 32 has been confirmed following the conclusion of group stage matches. Several intriguing matchups are set, with top teams being placed in contrasting halves of the draw. The expanded 32-team knockout format is the first of its kind in World Cup history. Fans are now analyzing potential dark-horse runs and heavyweight collisions further down the bracket.
DR Congo secured a historic victory to advance to the World Cup round of 32 for the first time, setting up a knockout tie against England. The result also eliminated South Korea from the tournament. England's path to the final now goes through DR Congo, adding intrigue to what was previously considered a favorable draw. DR Congo's achievement marks a milestone for African football on the global stage.