Lionel Messi’s final World Cup wasn’t just the end of an extraordinary career on football’s biggest stage. It marked the closing chapter of the childhood many of us grew up alongside. The man who made us fall in love with the game came face to face not just with a superior Spanish side but with the sands of time.
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Spain deservedly won a desperately disappointing World Cup final as Ferran Torres’ extra-time strike finally broke the resistance of 10-man Argentina. The European title holders had created the best opportunities against the defending world champions, who mainly resorted to spoiling tactics and had Enzo Fernandez sent off just before the game went into extra-time. Torres was the hero for Spain when he collected substitute Nico Williams’ header to beat Argentina keeper Emiliano Martinez with a powerful shot from close range after 106 minutes.
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Charles de Ketelaere scored twice for Belgium as the United States became the third and final co-host to be knocked out of the World Cup. It was a largely lethargic display by the US who had star striker Folarin Balogun in their starting line-up after President Donald Trump had asked Fifa to review his ban following his red card in the previous round. Belgium dominated the game taking the lead in the ninth minute when Nicolas Raskin’s pass across the face of goal was tapped in by De Ketlaere.
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Leandro Trossard scored twice as Belgium beat New Zealand 5-1 to breeze into the knockout stage of the World Cup winning Group G to set up a last-32 clash with one of the eight best third-placed teams. After having a penalty award overturned following a VAR check, Belgium broke the deadlock in the 28th minute when De Bruyne’s corner bounced off New Zealand defender Tim Payne and dropped perfectly for Trossard to poke into the net from close range.
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Cape Verde pulled off the shock of the 2026 World Cup so far as they held European champions Spain to a battling goalless draw in their Group H opener in Atlanta. Despite seeing plenty of possession in the first half, Luis De La Fuente’s team – who started with Lamine Yamal on the bench – were unable to break down a determined Cape Verde defence, as Ferran Torres hit the crossbar from close range.
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