First Round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Playoffs: A Recap
The opening round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup playoffs delivered thrilling action, surprises, and record-breaking moments. Top-tier teams clashed in matches full of unexpected twists. Notably, Belgium staged a remarkable comeback against Senegal, trailing 0-2 until the 85th minute. Goals from Romelu Lukaku and Youri Tielemans—the latter scoring the winner from a penalty in the 4th minute of stoppage time—secured Belgium's victory.
England also showcased their strength, defeating DR Congo 2-1. Harry Kane's double, scored in the 75th and 86th minutes, proved decisive. Kane's brace brought his World Cup tally to 13 goals, surpassing the legendary Pelé, who had 12. Norway edged past Côte d'Ivoire 2-1, with Erling Haaland finding the net.
Upsets and Milestones
Germany was among the biggest casualties, eliminated after losing to Paraguay in a penalty shootout. The match ended 1-1 in regulation time, but Paraguay prevailed 4-3 on penalties. This marked Germany's first-ever penalty shootout loss at a World Cup, leading to head coach Julian Nagelsmann's dismissal.
Argentina secured their spot in the next round with a 3-2 win over Cape Verde. Diney Borges scored the winner in the 111th minute, following goals from Vozinha and Cabral for Cape Verde. Portugal defeated Croatia with a stoppage-time winner from Gonçalo Ramos in the 4th minute of added time. A key moment was Croatia's disallowed goal due to an offside call on Mario Pašalić, confirmed by Connected Ball Technology.
Lionel Messi also emerged as a hero in the first round, scoring his 20th World Cup goal. This made him the first player to reach that milestone in the tournament's history, surpassing Miroslav Klose as the all-time top scorer. Messi has netted 7 goals so far in the 2026 World Cup.
Notably, nine African teams advanced to the Round of 16, but seven were eliminated: South Africa, Côte d'Ivoire, DR Congo, Senegal, Algeria, Cape Verde, and Ghana. Only Morocco and Egypt progressed, defeating the Netherlands and Australia, respectively. Argentina will face Egypt in the next round.
Romelu Lukaku remarked: 'Our pressing and team spirit made the difference.'
Commenting on the match, Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni highlighted the challenges of the playoffs: 'Don't tell me anymore that we have an easy path in the knockout stage.'
The first round of the 2026 World Cup playoffs underscored football's unpredictability, where even the strongest teams can fall. Germany's elimination was particularly striking, leading to managerial changes that could shape their future. Meanwhile, the achievements of Lionel Messi and Harry Kane have put their teams in the spotlight, raising expectations for upcoming matches. The next round promises to be equally captivating, especially the Argentina vs. Egypt clash, which could be decisive for both sides.
As the playoffs progress, the spotlight also shines on individual performances, notably Messi's remarkable scoring achievements that have set new records. His contributions have not only elevated Argentina's chances but also added to the excitement of the tournament, making it essential for fans to keep track of the top scorers and their influence on the matches.