Lionel Messi is now the all-time leading goalscorer in World Cup history after a double against Austria took him past Miroslav Klose and Argentina into the knockout rounds.Messi’s 17th and 18th goals arrived despite a missed penalty in Dallas as the defending champions confirmed their place as Group J winners. Joining them in the last 32 are France and Norway, with Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland again to the fore despite weather threatening their games and delaying France’s success against Iraq by two hours.Hoping to join their fellow heavyweights in progressing are England, who have arrived in Boston as they prepare for a meeting with Ghana. A vibrant 4-2 win over Croatia represented an excellent start for Thomas Tuchel’s side but the manager will be wary of a recent tournament trend of scruffier second showings. Will Bukayo Saka be fit to play some part? Is the battle for No 10 settled? Victory would be enough to ensure England top the group.Follow all of the latest news and updates from the 2026 World Cup with our live blog below:Coming up today...England’s encounter with Ghana is one of four World Cup matches in another busy spell of action over the next 24 hours or so. Here is how you can watch it all in the United KingdomPortugal vs Uzbekistan (Group K) – 6pm BST – ITV 1, ITV X, STV, STV PlayerEngland vs Ghana (Group L) – 9pm BST – BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport websitePanama vs Croatia (Group L) – 12am BST – BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport websiteColombia vs DR Congo (Group K) – 3am BST – ITV 1, ITV X, STV, STV PlayerHarry Latham-Coyle23 June 2026 08:30How ‘Tournament Thomas’ embraced the World Cup and changed England’s cultureRichard Jolly, meanwhile, has spent the week with Tuchel and England in Kansas City, and found the atmosphere rather different – and encouraging:Harry Latham-Coyle23 June 2026 08:20The concerning trend England must address in World Cup clash with GhanaEngland’s recent tournaments have been characterised by one common theme – subpar showings in their second outings. Miguel Delaney explains how Thomas Tuchel is aiming to address a worrying trend.Harry Latham-Coyle23 June 2026 08:11A very good morning. It’s another bumper day of World Cup action with England looking to secure their place in the knockout rounds and top Group L as they face Ghana. A 4-2 win over Croatia was an excellent start for Thomas Tuchel’s side – can they join Argentina, France and Norway in booking their spot in the last 32?Thomas Tuchel is loving his World Cup experience (Reuters)Harry Latham-Coyle23 June 2026 08:08
World Cup 2026 LIVE: Messi leads Argentina into last 32 as England prepare for Ghana
Norway and France have joined Argentina in the knockout rounds with Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe to the fore










