Messi Breaks Historic World Cup Record as Germany Eliminated from 2026 Tournament

First Knockout Round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup

According to Главком: The opening knockout stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup has concluded, marked by record-breaking performances and dramatic comebacks. Sixteen Round of 32 matches determined which teams would advance in the title chase. Argentina, Belgium, England, and Portugal all successfully moved on to the next phase. Germany, however, fell to Paraguay in a penalty shootout after the match ended 1-1 in regulation time. Following the defeat, German head coach Julian Nagelsmann resigned from his position.

In a standout moment, Lionel Messi scored his 20th career World Cup goal during Argentina’s 3-2 victory over Cape Verde, becoming the first player ever to reach that milestone in tournament history. Argentina secured the win thanks to an own goal, while Cabral also found the net in extra time.

Belgium set a record by rallying from a 0-2 deficit against Senegal in the 85th minute of regulation, scoring a third goal in added time to advance. England defeated DR Congo 2-1, powered by a Harry Kane brace. Portugal edged Croatia 1-0 with a stoppage-time goal from Gonçalo Ramos in the 4th minute of added time, while a Croatian goal was disallowed for offside.

Results and Statistics

Notably, seven of the nine African teams have been eliminated from the tournament, including:

• South Africa
• Ivory Coast
• DR Congo
• Senegal
• Algeria
• Cape Verde
• Ghana

Only two African sides-Morocco and Egypt-have progressed to the next round.

The Round of 16 matches of the 2026 World Cup will begin on July 4, 2026, with Canada facing Morocco. The stage will conclude on July 7 with the Switzerland vs. Colombia match. This tournament has witnessed not only athletic achievements but also emotional moments, which, as Zlatan Ibrahimović noted,

“This moment of robbery”

, highlighted just how tense matches can be at this elite level.

According to Zlatan, FIFA

“is dragging Cristiano Ronaldo’s team by the ears into the tournament final”

, adding further intrigue to the upcoming games.

The conclusion of the first knockout round proved pivotal for many teams, showcasing a high level of competition and unpredictable outcomes. The elimination of sides like Germany may signal shifts in global football, where traditional powerhouses increasingly face challenges from less experienced national teams. The upcoming Round of 16 fixtures promise even more excitement as teams strive to realize their ambitions on the world stage.

As the excitement builds for the next phase of the tournament, fans are eager to see how the matchups will unfold. The official Round of 16 pairings have now been confirmed, setting the stage for thrilling encounters that could change the course of the World Cup. With teams like Argentina and Belgium showing impressive form, the upcoming matches promise to deliver even more unforgettable moments.