World Cup 2026 Results, July 3: Messi Makes History as Argentina Survive a Cape Verde Scare
Archive: World Cup 2026 results July 3. This dated report covers a completed matchday. Use the final group standings and knockout bracket for the complete tournament context.
The World Cup 2026 results on July 3 brought the Round of 32 to a dramatic close, and they belonged to Lionel Messi. He scored his record-breaking 20th World Cup goal, but it was not enough to settle Argentina’s nerves as Cape Verde pushed the holders all the way to a 3-2 defeat in extra time. Elsewhere, Egypt made history on penalties against Australia, and Colombia eased past Ghana. Here is the full round-up.
World Cup 2026 results July 3
| Match | Result |
|---|---|
| Argentina vs Cape Verde | 3-2 (after extra time) |
| Egypt vs Australia | 1-1 (Egypt win 4-2 on penalties) |
| Colombia vs Ghana | 1-0 |
July 3rd Post Match Results
It was a day that swung on red cards, VAR reviews and last-gasp drama — and it set up a thrilling Round of 16. Here’s everything that happened.
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Argentina 3-2 Cape Verde: the fairytale ends in a classic
What a way for the story to finish. Cape Verde, the smallest nation ever to reach the knockouts, did not just show up against the world champions, they very nearly pulled off the impossible.
Messi opened the scoring in the 29th minute, becoming the first player in history to reach 20 career World Cup goals and extending his own record. But Cape Verde refused to fold. Deroy Duarte levelled in the second half, nutmegging his marker and stunning Emiliano Martinez, to force extra time as goalkeeper Vozinha produced save after save, eight in total.
In the extra period the drama exploded. Lisandro Martinez fired Argentina back in front from a corner, only for Sidny Lopes Cabral to answer with the goal of the tournament, a breathtaking curler from a tight angle. With the holders staring at penalties, a Messi corner in the 111th minute was flicked on by Cristian Romero and bundled in off a Cape Verde defender for the decisive own goal. Argentina survived 3-2, but Cape Verde walked off to a standing ovation. Their run is over, but nobody who watched it will forget them. We told their full story in our Cape Verde World Cup feature.
Argentina now face Egypt in the Round of 16.
Egypt 1-1 Australia: history on penalties
Egypt ended a 92-year wait. Emam Ashour headed them in front in the 13th minute, but Australia hit back through a Mohamed Hany own goal, remarkably his second own goal of the tournament. Neither side could find a winner in extra time, so it went to penalties, where Egypt held their nerve to win the shootout 4-2. Mohamed Salah tucked away his spot kick after missing his previous two.
It means Egypt have reached the Round of 16 for the first time since 1934, and advanced from a World Cup knockout round for the very first time. For Australia, the wait goes on, as they have still never won a World Cup knockout tie.
Colombia 1-0 Ghana: job done
Colombia were in control from early on. Jhon Arias headed home a Luis Suarez cross in the 14th minute, and from there Nestor Lorenzo’s side managed the game superbly. Luis Diaz had a goal ruled out for offside, but Colombia rarely looked troubled. Ghana, so stubborn in the group stage, could not muster a single shot on target and never seriously threatened. It finished 1-0, and Colombia march into the last 16 for the third World Cup in a row.
The Round of 16 is now complete
With the Round of 32 finished, every last-16 tie is set. See the full schedule and venues on our Round of 16 guide.
| Round of 16 tie | Date |
|---|---|
| Canada vs Morocco | Sat, Jul 4 |
| Paraguay vs France | Sat, Jul 4 |
| Brazil vs Norway | Sun, Jul 5 |
| Mexico vs England | Sun, Jul 5 |
| Spain vs Portugal | Mon, Jul 6 |
| Belgium vs USA | Mon, Jul 6 |
| Argentina vs Egypt | Tue, Jul 7 |
| Switzerland vs Colombia | Tue, Jul 7 |
Follow the full knockout picture on our World Cup 2026 bracket, and see where Messi sits in the scoring charts on our Golden Boot race. Official data is on FIFA’s site.
Final thoughts
The Round of 32 saved some of its best for last. Messi wrote his name deeper into the record books, Cape Verde bowed out as heroes, and Egypt ended a wait that stretched back nearly a century. The last 16 is set, and it is loaded. Bring on the weekend.
Frequently asked questions
What were the World Cup 2026 results on July 3? Argentina beat Cape Verde 3-2 after extra time, Egypt beat Australia 4-2 on penalties following a 1-1 draw, and Colombia beat Ghana 1-0.
How many World Cup goals does Messi have now? Messi scored his 20th career World Cup goal against Cape Verde, becoming the first player ever to reach 20 and extending his all-time record.
Did Cape Verde’s run end? Yes, but heroically. Cape Verde took Argentina to extra time and scored twice before losing 3-2, with a stunning Sidny Lopes Cabral strike among the goals.
Who do the July 3 winners play in the Round of 16? Argentina face Egypt, and Colombia face Switzerland, both on July 7.
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