Mbappé closes on Messi as France, Argentina and Norway reach last 32
Daily quiz challenges you to guess a World Cup footballer using successive clues, scoring higher with fewer guesses.
Brazil and Scotland meet in a decisive Group C finale in Miami. A draw likely sends Scotland through, while Brazil need a win to secure position. Neymar could return, Raphinha is out injured.
Buenos Aires hails Messi’s record 18 World Cup goals after his double v Austria, while marking 40 years since Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’. Fans urge protecting Messi’s focus as Argentina chase back-to-back titles.
Portugal face Uzbekistan, England meet Ghana in Boston for early qualification, Panama play Croatia, and Colombia take on DR Congo. Live on ITV1 and BBC One with late kick-offs into Wednesday.
With Koné suffering a broken leg, Saliba stakes a claim after scoring a direct free kick in Canada’s 6-0 win v Qatar. Marsch may also consider Davies for Switzerland as Canada chase Group B top spot.
Breakout World Cup names: Morocco’s Ayyoub Bouaddi (£43m-rated), Japan’s Ayase Ueda, Sweden’s Yasin Ayari, USA’s Alex Freeman and Switzerland’s Johan Manzambi all shine and attract transfer interest.
Paraguayan commentator Jorge Vera loses World Cup accreditation after an on-air rant over Miguel Almirón’s red card in Paraguay’s 1-0 win v Turkey. He apologises as ABC Cardinal urge FIFA to review.
Mbappé scores twice in France’s 3-0 win over Iraq to hit 16 World Cup goals, level with Klose and two behind Messi, who reached 18 with a double v Austria. France and Argentina advance to the last 32.
Benbouali and Gouiri score from corners as Algeria come from 1-0 down to beat Jordan 2-1, sealing their first World Cup win since 2014 and boosting Group J knockout hopes. Jordan are eliminated.
Kevin De Bruyne says he and Romelu Lukaku bring ‘experience’ after Belgium draw with Iran and Egypt, urging calm, balance and renewed determination to revive their 2026 World Cup run.
Predicted starting XIs for all 48 teams ahead of World Cup Round 3 to aid fantasy selections.
Mexico, already top of Group A, host Czechia at the Azteca. Opta rates El Tri 47.9% to win. Czechia chase qualification, with Patrik Schick short of service. Julián Quiñones highlighted for impact.
Barcelona fear Raphinha’s hamstring tear and Ronald Araujo’s soleus issue could sideline them during the World Cup, while Lamine Yamal’s minutes are being managed positively by Spain.
South Africa’s veterans like Themba Zwane, Ronwen Williams, Ricardo Goss, Aubrey Modiba and Iqraam Rayners may be at their last World Cup, with younger talents set to emerge by 2030.
Haaland hits a brace in Norway’s 3-2 win over Senegal to reach the last 32. Sarr nets twice for Senegal. Norway face France next to decide Group I winners, with Haaland on four goals in the Golden Boot race.
US authorities state Thomas Partey was admitted with a visa despite a pending court case and no conviction, clearing him to face England at the World Cup.
Olivier Giroud splits opinion as a BBC World Cup pundit during Argentina’s 2-0 win over Austria, with viewers calling for his replacement while others defend his calm analysis.
