# World Cup 2026 Roundup: Messi Turns 39 as a Legend, Ronaldo Makes History, and Final Group Stage Drama Unfolds
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The 2026 World Cup is in full swing, and the final round of group stage fixtures kicked off on June 24 with plenty of drama still to come. With 32 of 48 nations advancing to the knockout rounds and new tiebreaker rules in play, every match matters. Here’s your quick catch-up on the biggest headlines.
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## Messi’s Magical Birthday — 39 and Unstoppable
Lionel Messi celebrated his 39th birthday by becoming the **all-time leading scorer in World Cup history**. His hat-trick against Algeria took him to 16 World Cup goals, surpassing Miroslav Klose (16) and Gerd Müller. Two games, five goals — Messi is showing the world age is just a number.
> “There has been no stopping Argentina’s little magician so far,” BBC Sport writes. He remains “untouchable” on the biggest stage.
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## Ronaldo Makes History at 41
Cristiano Ronaldo isn’t done yet either. The 41-year-old scored twice as **Portugal thrashed Uzbekistan**, becoming the **first player ever to score at six different World Cups**. After a week of criticism, the Portuguese captain served up a reminder that legends never fade quietly.
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## England Held by Ghana, Scotland Faces Brazil
| Match | Score | Key Takeaway |
|——-|——-|————-|
| England vs Ghana | **0-0** | England stay top of Group L but lacked cutting edge |
| Croatia vs Panama | Croatia win | Modric’s 200th cap — Panama eliminated |
| Norway vs Senegal | **3-2** | Haaland scores twice, Norway advance to last 32 |
| USA vs Australia | **2-0** | Co-hosts USA secure knockout round spot |
| Canada vs Qatar | **6-0** | Jonathan David hat-trick — Canada’s first World Cup win |
| Egypt vs New Zealand | Egypt win | Egypt’s first-ever World Cup victory at 9th attempt |
| Portugal vs Uzbekistan | Portugal win | Ronaldo double, history made |
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## Stars Shining Bright
– **Kylian Mbappé** — Broke France’s all-time scoring record with two stunning goals against Senegal. Four goals in two games, looking every bit the Golden Boot contender.
– **Erling Haaland** — Four goals in his maiden World Cup, including a double against Senegal. Norway has a real chance.
– **Cape Verde** — The African minnows are the story of the tournament. A 0-0 draw against Spain, then a thrilling 2-2 with Uruguay. 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha became an overnight sensation with 15 million new Instagram followers.
– **Vinicius Jr.** — Leading Brazil’s charge as they face Scotland in their final group match.
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## Looking Ahead: Final Group Matches (June 24-26)
| Matchup | Group | Stakes |
|———|——-|——–|
| Scotland vs Brazil | C | Scotland must win to reach knockouts |
| Canada vs Switzerland | B | Winner takes top spot |
| South Korea vs South Africa | A | Battle for second place |
| Mexico vs Czech Republic | A | Mexico already through |
An **England vs Scotland** last-16 clash in Mexico City is a real possibility if results go a certain way. The knockout schedule is taking shape — use BBC Sport’s projection tool to track your team’s path to the July 19 final.
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## FAQ
### Who is the top scorer of the 2026 World Cup so far?
Lionel Messi leads with 5 goals after two group matches, followed by Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland with 4 each.
### When is the World Cup final?
The final will be played on **July 19, 2026** at MetLife Stadium in New York/New Jersey.
### How many teams advance to the knockout stage?
32 of 48 teams advance — the top two from each of the 12 groups, plus the 8 best third-placed teams.
### Where can I watch World Cup 2026 matches?
Matches are broadcast on Fox Sports (US), BBC/ITV (UK), and various local broadcasters worldwide.
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