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World Cup 2026: Messi sets new record, Colombia advances, Egypt reaches Round of 16

From Le Figaro · () French

Translated from French, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Lionel Messi set a new World Cup record with his 20th goal during Argentina's extra-time victory over Cape Verde.
  • Colombia advanced to the Round of 16 by defeating Ghana 1-0, and will face Switzerland next.
  • Egypt became the fifth African nation to reach the World Cup Round of 16 after a penalty shootout win against Australia.

Lionel Messi continues to etch his name deeper into football history, reaching another significant milestone during the 2026 World Cup. The Argentinian superstar scored his 7th goal of the current tournament and his 20th overall in World Cup play, breaking the previous record.

Messi's latest goal came in Argentina's hard-fought extra-time victory against Cape Verde, a match that saw the defending champions pushed to their limits. The Inter Miami player, now 39, has once again demonstrated his enduring class on the global stage.

Meanwhile, Colombia secured their spot in the Round of 16 with a solid 1-0 win over Ghana, thanks to a goal from Jhon Arias. They are set to face Switzerland in the next stage of the tournament, aiming to continue their undefeated run.

Adding to the African representation, Egypt emerged victorious in a tense penalty shootout against Australia. This win marks Egypt as the fifth African nation to reach the knockout stages of a World Cup, joining a prestigious list of past qualifiers from the continent.

DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Le Figaro in French. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.