Cape Verde's Heroics Light Up a Day of World Cup Drama

The story of the day belonged to Cape Verde. Messi opened the scoring for the defending champions, but the Islanders — who had already held Spain in their group opener — pushed Argentina all the way to 3-2 in what many were calling the match of the tournament. Goalkeeper Vozinha, forty years old and outstanding throughout, was ultimately on the losing side, but Cape Verde's run will be remembered long after the final whistle. It was the kind of football the World Cup was made for.

Elsewhere in the round of 16, France edged past Paraguay on a Mbappé penalty in Philadelphia, while Morocco produced the more emphatic statement, dismantling co-hosts Canada 3-0 to become the first side confirmed in the quarter-finals. Azzedine Ounahi scored twice in the second half as the Atlas Lions sent the Canadian tournament home early — a significant moment in what has been a complex World Cup for the three host nations.

Off the field, Jürgen Klopp confirmed he is in talks to take over as Germany coach, following Julian Nagelsmann's resignation in the wake of their penalty shootout exit to Paraguay. England, meanwhile, face their own selection anxiety ahead of Sunday's last-16 tie with Mexico, with Reece James a doubt after missing training.