Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni said sides should be given more rest in the final stages of the World Cup as the defending champions face a gruelling schedule in the knockout phases.

Cristiano Ronaldo spent more than two decades deciding matches, dragging teams through difficult moments and defying time itself to remain among soccer's elite even past his Real Madrid, Manchester United and Juventus prime.

Lionel Messi looked to the sky, fists clenched, as Argentina’s Round of 32 clash against Cape Verde in Miami on Saturday came to an end. There had been tears in his eyes just a few minutes earlier. Messi’s reaction was not merely one of relief washing over him but that of a survivor emerging from great turmoil. The Blue Sharks had awakened a fear Argentina did not know still existed within them.

France star Kylian Mbappe reclaimed top spot after netting his seventh goal of the tournament in the Round of 16 victory over Paraguay. The French forward edges ahead thanks to his two assists, giving him the advantage over Argentina captain Lionel Messi, who also sits on seven goals.

Argentina possess the quality and experience to advance, but if they once again need a 39-year-old Messi alone to rescue them, they may not be so fortunate this time.

With the 2026 World Cup still ongoing and the possibility of future tournaments ahead, Mbappe appears well placed to challenge, and potentially surpass, Messi's record in the years to come.

Even about a year ago, Lisandro Martinez was a peripheral figure, mostly away from the eyes of football fans -- not because of a dip in form, but because of a serious injury that had taken a mental toll on the Manchester United defender and his family as well.

The inaugural Round of 32 in the expanded 48-team FIFA World Cup delivered on every front. There were shocks and surprises, thrilling comebacks, heartbreaking exits and the fall of several giants.

If this overwhelming dependency stays constant, even the golden goose laying eggs may not be enough when the tournament reaches its deep end.

The nerve-wracking Round of 32 of the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2026 came to an end on Saturday morning with defending champions Argentina, Colombia and Egypt clinching the final three berths in the Round of 16.

Questions about Messi's longevity have long since been answered, but coach Lionel Scaloni's conundrum remains -- how long can Argentina go on letting one little genius solve their problems?

An own goal from Diney Borges under pressure from Argentina's Cristian Romero in the 111th minute settled the match in Miami and reigning champions Argentina move on to face Egypt.

Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni brushed aside suggestions that FIFA had favoured his side through refereeing decisions or the World Cup knockout draw, insisting he pays no attention to such speculation.

De Paul, who joined Messi at Inter Miami from Atletico Madrid last year, also paid tribute to his relationship with his skipper, describing their friendship as one of the most important things in his life.

Messi arrives in Miami as the tournament's leading scorer with six goals, having found the net in every match for Argentina. Waiting for him is a defence unit that has frustrated some of the most accomplished sides.

Cape Verde head coach Bubista said a showdown against Argentina and Lionel Messi will be the "match of our lives" but said they will not fear the defending World Cup champions in Friday's last 32 clash.

Prophesying a massive upset, Ghanaian shaman Nana Kwaku Bonsam claims underdog Cabo Verde will eliminate Lionel Messi and defending champions Argentina from the 2026 World Cup. Football fans await this thrilling Round of 32 clash.

Kylian Mbappe joined Lionel Messi at the top of the Golden Boot race at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after scoring twice in France's convincing 3-0 victory over Sweden in their Round of 32 clash at the New York-New Jersey Stadium today.

Relive Brazil's thrilling victory over Scotland at Miami's Hard Rock Stadium, where Vinicius' disallowed hat-trick sparkled a controversial VAR debate, proving how modern football continues to use Lionel Messi as its ultimate benchmark.

The online critique that a better keeper stops the shot fundamentally barks up the wrong tree.