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World Cup Friday takeaways: Argentina survives upset scare

Argentina's Lionel Messi applauds fans with teammates after the match. Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

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World Cup 2026 Friday takeaways: Argentina survives upset scare

By Alyssa Clang | Last updated Jul 3, 2026 11:55 PM ET

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The 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 32 wrapped up on Friday, with several top teams fighting for their spot in the knockout rounds.

Egypt, Argentina and Colombia won their matches to seal their positions in the tournament's Round of 16; Australia, Cape Verde and Ghana were eliminated.

Here are the key takeaways from a full day of World Cup action:

Australia slipped on its own banana skin

Of all the Round of 32 fixtures on offer, none had "120 minutes and penalties" written all over it quite like Egypt versus Australia did. Both teams spent much of the group stage trying very hard not to lose, and those efforts often made them cautious, methodical and—whisper it—boring. If both teams had frozen at the opening whistle, waiting for their opponent to move first, no one would've been surprised.

Things didn't quite go that way. Egypt and Argentina did bring some energy and flair to this match, but they still couldn't be separated in 120 minutes of soccer, and that left their fates in the hands of the cruelest mistress of all: the World Cup penalty shootout.

Australia lost it by getting a bit too clever. Coach Tony Popovic earned plenty of plaudits in the group stage for his inspired lineup choices, but he took things too far here, subbing out (spectacular) goalkeeper Patrick Beach in favor of veteran backup Mat Ryan. Popovic then shuffled his penalty taker order, slotting center back Harry Souttar in for the opening shot.

The idea was clearly to get some experienced heads in the game at the most important moment, but Ryan made zero saves, and Souttar skied his opening penalty to doom Australia before it'd begun to compete. Popovic has always faced accusations of being too loyal to "his" players like Ryan and Souttar: he'll face plenty more when he returns home with his rightfully beaten team. Australia 1-1 Egypt (2-4 PKs)

@foxsports Every penalty kick in Egypt’s win over Australia #FIFAWorldCup #AustraliavsEgypt #Penalties #Socceroos #MoSalah ♬ original sound - FOX Sports

Cape Verde rendered Lionel Messi a mere footnote

Argentina forward Lionel Messi tied a 70-year World Cup assist record in his team's 3-2 win over Cape Verde, but you'd never know it: Cape Verde was simply too good, too lovable and too fearsome to allow anyone else to share the spotlight. The tiny African nation, officially the smallest country to ever make the World Cup knockout rounds with a population of just over 500,000 people, took the defending champions to task against a majority Argentinian crowd in Miami, Florida.

The staggering gap between the two nations made Cape Verde's performance one of the greatest in World Cup history. It's proof that you don't have to win the World Cup to win the World Cup: you just have to win the hearts of the fans. Goalkeeper Vozinha, defender Steven Moreira and full back Sidny Lopes Cabral undoubtedly did. Argentina 1-1 Cabo Verde (3-2 a.e.t)

@foxsports Sidny Lopes Cabral with an ABSOLUTE GOLAZO to bring Cape Verde level with Argentina in extra time INCREDIBLE SCENES!!!! #FIFAWorldCup #ArgentinavsCapeVerde #CapeVerde #GOLAZO @FCFcomunica @Josimar Dias Vozinha ♬ original sound - FOX Sports

Ghana found the limits of its "come and get us" approach

When Ghana held World Cup favorite England to a shock 0-0 draw in the group stage, it did it by staying off the ball and encouraging England to come at it with everything it had. Ghana trusted its defensive instincts—and it trusted that England would tire itself out in no time. It was right to believe in both.

Ghana tried the same approach against Colombia in their Round of 32 clash in Kansas City, but it wound up with a very different result. It took Colombian midfielder Jhon Arias just 14 minutes to break through Ghana's defense and score the game's opening goal, and once the ball was in the back of the net, Ghana's "come at us" approach was no more. The Black Stars were forced to attack more and more as they desperately searched for an equalizer, and in the end, it was Colombia who sat back, offered Ghana the ball, and encouraged it to shoot.

Colombia occupies a strange spot in this World Cup. Its lineup really doesn't have any weaknesses, but it's hard to pinpoint a player who could create magic like, say, a Kylian Mbappé or an Erling Haaland. It's the kind of team that could quietly make a very, very deep run in the tournament simply because it's difficult to play against. Just ask Ghana: it will no doubt tell you as much. Colombia 1-0 Ghana

The World Cup will continue with the Round of 16 on Saturday. Canada will take on Morocco in Houston, Texas, and Paraguay will take on France in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Alyssa Clang

Alyssa is a Boston-born Californian with a passion for global sport. She can yell about misplaced soccer passes in five languages and rattle off the turns of Silverstone in her sleep. You can find her dormant Twitter account at @alyssaclang, but honestly, you’re probably better off finding her here

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