DR Congo reach knockout stage with win over Uzbekistan
DR Congo qualified for the last 32 of the World Cup for the first time after defeating Uzbekistan 3–1 in their final group match, finishing as the best third-place team.
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The latest sport reporting from The Belfast Herald.
Messi sets record with seventh straight World Cup goal
Lionel Messi scores in Argentina's 3–1 win over Jordan, becoming the first male player to score in seven consecutive FIFA World Cup matches. The goal came in the 78th minute via a free kick.
Cape Verde make history as smallest nation to reach World Cup knockout stage
Cape Verde became the smallest nation by population to qualify for the knockout stage of a FIFA World Cup after finishing second in Group H. They achieved this by drawing all three group matches, including a 0-0 result against Saudi Arabia in Houston.
Ivory Coast reach World Cup knockout stage for first time with 2–0 win over Curaçao
Ivory Coast secured their first-ever World Cup knockout stage appearance by defeating Curaçao 2–0 in Group E, finishing as runners-up.
South Africa reach World Cup knockout stage with victory over South Korea
South Africa advanced to the World Cup knockout stage for the first time, defeating South Korea 1–0 in their final group match. Co-hosts Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina also progressed after finishing second and third in their respective groups.
Cristiano Ronaldo scores in sixth World Cup, becomes Portugal's top scorer
Cristiano Ronaldo became the first player to score in six FIFA World Cups and Portugal's all-time top goalscorer during a 5–0 group stage win over Uzbekistan.
Messi overtakes Klose as World Cup's top goalscorer with 18 goals
Lionel Messi scored 18 goals in FIFA World Cup tournaments, surpassing Miroslav Klose's record, after a brace in Argentina's 2–0 win over Austria on 22 June 2026.
Kevin Pina scores Cape Verde's first World Cup goal in 2–2 draw with Uruguay
Kevin Pina scored Cape Verde's first-ever goal at a FIFA World Cup during a 2–2 draw against Uruguay in the group stage.