World Cup LIVE: Colombia move past Ghana after Argentina survive Cape Verde test

Today’s matches:

Australia 1-1 Egypt (Egypt advance on penalties) – FT

Argentina 3-2 Cape Verde – FT, AET

Colombia 1-0 Ghana – FT

As it happened:

06:35 CET – That brings an end to an exhilarating Round of 32 at the 2026 World Cup!

Make sure you keep an eye out for the Day 24 tracker later today, as co-hosts Canada face African giants Morocco, before the heavily-fancied France take on Paraguay.

Check out the full last-16 draw here!

05:32 CET – That is the end of the match, as Colombia hold on for the 1-0 success against Ghana. La Tricolor got their winner from Jhon Arias, who scored from a header in the first half.

It is a bitterly disappointing way for the Black Stars’ World Cup journey to end, seeing they failed to register a shot on target in the 90 minutes.

05:03 CET – Time is running out for Ghana, who are still down 1-0 heading into the second half hydration break. They have been better in trying to score this half, but so far, Camilo Vargas has yet to make a save. 

04:39 CET – The second half is now underway, with Ghana having much work to do.

04:23 CET – We are at the break in Kansas City, with Colombia still ahead of Ghana 1-0 thorugh Jhon Arias’ header a quarter of an hour in. There have not been too many meaningful chances since the goal, but there is still plenty of time for that to change.

03:54 CET – Colombia maintain the 1-0 lead at the first half hydration break, having dominated proceedings so far. Both sides had to make early substitutions due to injuries, which is far from ideal. 

Will wee see a response from the Black Stars after the break?

03:44 CET – Colombia break the deadlock less than 15 minutes into the match, as Luis Suarez’s cross finds Jhon Arias, who converts from close range to give his nation the 1-0 lead. What a start for the Colombians!

03:30 CET – It is time for the final match of the round of 32, as the referee blows his whistle to commence the clash between Colombia and Ghana.

03:15 CET – We are just a few minutes away from the final World Cup match of the day, as Colombia and Ghana meet in Kansas City. Here are how both teams will line up to start the contest.

02:44 CET – The referee has blown his whistle for the last time, bringing to an end a remarkable match in Miami. Argentina, who many would have expected to comfortably beat Cape Verde, were took all the way to extra time.

In the end, an own goal from Diney Borges proved a step too much for the African debutants, who fall 3-2 in 120 minutes. Argentina will play Egypt next, and will be very much relieved to have survived that moment.

02:31 CET – ARGENTINA LEAD A THIRD TIME! It was quite the delivery from Messi, with Cristian Romero’s header deflecting off Diney Borges and going in. The holders are back ahead, and now it is a matter of whether they can hold on this time.

02:23 CET – It is half-time in extra time, and Argentina are in all manner of discomfort here against Cape Verde. Twice have the defending champions taken the lead, and yet twice the Blue Sharks have found an equaliser. What is left in store in these final 15 minutes of extra period?

02:16 CET – CAPE VERDE SCORE A STUNNER TO TIE THE GAME AGAIN! Sidny Lopes Cabral strikes from just outside of the box, and it curls into the top corner. And just like that, it is level once more, 2-2!

02:05 CET – ARGENTINA ARE BACK AHEAD! That is quite the finish from Lisandro Martinez, who takes one touch to control before smashing his shot into the roof of the net. The defending champions are back ahead a few minutes into extra time!

02:03 CET – And extra time has commenced. What is next in store in Miami?

02:00 CET – Who could have seen this coming? Extra time is needed to decide a winner between Argentina and Cape Verde!

Despite La Albiceleste carrying the game, a sucker punch from Deroy Duarte has forced them to play another 30 minutes against the debutants. Could we see what would truly be the biggest upset in World Cup history?

01:35 CET – With less than 20 minutes to go, it is still 1-1 between Argentina and Cape Verde. Vozinha has been really been at his best for his country once more, as he denied Messi on a one-on-one, before thwarting the Argentinian captain from a free kick.

Argentina will have the step it up, as they are failing to make the most of their possession.

01:20 CET – CAPE VERDE HAVE TIED IT. After creating next to nothing in the attacking third, the Blue Sharks have found their equaliser! It is Deroy Duarte who keeps his cool and slots the ball past Emiliano Martinez to tie the game up. Few could have seen this coming!

01:05 CET – The second half has commenced, with Cape Verde looking to come from behind against the defending champions Argentina.

00:50 CET – It is half-time in Miami, with Lionel Messi’s goal shortly after the hydration break being the difference between Argentina and Cape Verde. La Albiceleste hold a 1-0 lead, and are 45 minutes away from the round of 16.

00:29 CET – MESSI PUTS ARGENTINA AHEAD! It is his 20th World Cup goal as he controls the pass from Lisandro Martinez and beats Vozinha with a well-hit shot. It took a little less than half an hour, but Argentina are up and running.

00:25 CET – The first half hydration break is here, and as expected, Argentina have carried the match so far. They have yet to really trouble Cape Verde so far, something they will want to change soon.

00:00 CET – And we are underway in Miami as Argentina get their knockout round action up and running against debutants Cape Verde.

23:08 CET – Argentina’s Round of 32 clash with Cape Verde is just under an hour away, and as expected, captain Lionel Messi returns to the starting XI.

22:52 CET – Egypt are into the last 16 of the World Cup for the first time since 1934! A remarkable achievement for them, as they win the penalty shootout 4-2. Harry Souttar and Lucas Herrington missed their penalties for Australia, with Egypt scoring all their spot kicks.

It is utter heartbreak for Australia, while Egypt will face either world champions Argentina or Cape Verde next.

22:38 CET – It is time for penalties! The teams can’t be separated, and now a shootout will decide who heads to the last 16!

22:35 CET – Well, well, well… Goalkeeper Mat Ryan is coming on for Patrick Beach with a minute to go. Looks like he’s their man for the penalty shootout.

22:19 CET – It is half time of extra time, and there isn’t too much to report. It seems both teams are happy for this to go to penalties.

21:58 CET – We are heading to extra time! Egypt were so close to winning the game late on, but Patrick Beach made a fantastic save. 30 more minutes and potentially penalties to come.

21:30 CET – The game is paused for another hydration break, and this Round of 32 clash is locked at 1-1. A big final 20 minutes is in store for both teams. Australia have been much better this half.

21:16 CET – Just 10 minutes into the second half, Australia have drawn level! An own goal from Mohamed Hany has given them the perfect start, and they will be looking to up the ante now.

21:07 CET – And we are back underway for the second half!

20:51 CET – Egypt are 45 minutes away from a spot in the World Cup last 16! It hasn’t been great viewing, but since their early goal, Australia haven’t posed them any threat, and they have been very comfortable.

20:23 CET – Egypt lead Australia at the first hydration break, and it has been a really good start from them. They have done well to control their opponents, but there haven’t been too many chances outside of the goal.

20:13 CET – Egypt have taken the lead! Emam Ashour has headed home after a fantastic ball from Karim Hafez, and it is his second goal of the tournament. A big moment for the African nation.

19:57 CET – The teams are out and kick-off is just moments away between Australia and Egypt to begin this final day of the Round of 32. This should be good!

18:45 CET – Ready for the first team news of the day? There are no surprises on the Egyptian side with talisman Mohamed Salah starting as expected, and Omar Marmoush leads the attack once more. Meanwhile, Australia are unchanged from the side that were held by Paraguay in the Socceroos’ final group game.

14:10 CET – With plenty of time before the first match later, why not check out some features about the games:

What to expect as reigning world champions Argentina take on surprise package Cape Verde

The smooth road Argentina have been handed to the World Cup semi-finals

13:00 CET – Good afternoon and welcome to the final day of the round of 32! The first match of the day sees Australia take on Egypt in a hard-to-predict clash. Will this be Mohamed Salah’s final World Cup match or will Egypt get the better of an exciting Aussie side?

That is followed by Argentina against Cape Verde in what is being dubbed as the Lionel Messi vs Vozinha match. The Cape Verde keeper has been one of the stories of the World Cup so far after keeping clean sheets in two out of three of the group games and Messi has once again delivered on the world stage after his heroics inspired Argentina to the World Cup title in 2022.

The day is wrapped up with a fascinating clash between Colombia and Ghana. Colombia went toe-to-toe with Portugal in the group stages and looked like an elite side, whilst Ghana managed to frustrate England after finding a way past Panama. 

As always, check out the day 22 World Cup highlights here and relive all the action from day 22 here.