Messi, Ronaldo, and Bellingham Shine in Final Group Stage Matches of 2026 World Cup

The group stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup concluded overnight with six thrilling matches that set the stage for the knockout rounds. The tournament officially kicked off later Sunday with the opening game between South Africa and Canada.

In a standout match, reigning world champions Argentina, fielding a rotated squad, defeated Jordan 3-1. Giovanni Lo Celso opened the scoring with a free kick in the 19th minute, followed by Lautaro Martinez scoring his first-ever World Cup goal from a penalty in the 30th minute. Although Musa Al Tamari pulled one back for Jordan, the highlight came in the 80th minute when Lionel Messi scored his 19th World Cup goal with a spectacular free kick.

Another exciting game saw Algeria and Austria draw 3-3 in a high-paced encounter. Austria initially led 1-0 and then 2-1, but a brace from Riyad Mahrez, who scored his first World Cup goals, put Algeria ahead 3-2 and secured their advancement alongside Iran. In stoppage time, Sasa Kalajdzic scored a remarkable equalizer for Austria, capping off a memorable match.

Croatia faced Ghana in another group stage match, with Ghana winning 2-1, further shaping the tournament's progression.

These matches delivered a total of 19 goals across six games, showcasing top talents like Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Jude Bellingham as the World Cup excitement builds.