The group stage of the 2026 World Cup is done and the last 32 is set — and it signed off with a statement from the favourites, another Messi record, and one of the wildest finishes of the tournament.
Watch the full World Cup Brief above — then dive into each of the five stories below.
1. Dembélé runs riot
France went into the weekend as many people's favourites and made a statement, beating Norway 4-1. The billing was Kylian Mbappé against Erling Haaland, but it was the Ballon d'Or holder Ousmane Dembélé who stole the show. Mbappé turned provider twice as Dembélé struck inside six minutes and again soon after; Thelo Aasgard briefly pulled one back, but Dembélé completed his hat-trick inside 32 minutes, and Désiré Doué added a late fourth.
There were caveats — Norway rested Haaland and Ødegaard — but the message was clear. Three wins from three, top of Group I, and with Mbappé pulling the strings and Dembélé finishing, France look every bit the team to beat.
Full story: Dembélé's hat-trick blows Norway away as France top Group I
2. Messi rewrites the record book
In the week of his 39th birthday, Lionel Messi came off the bench against Jordan and bent in a trademark free-kick — becoming the first player ever to score in seven consecutive World Cup matches. Argentina won it 3-1 in Dallas, with Messi rested to begin with and introduced around the hour.
The record moves him clear of Just Fontaine and Jairzinho, who both managed six. It took his World Cup tally to 19 and kept him top of the Golden Boot race, his scoring run stretching all the way back to the last 16 in Qatar. One report simply called him "an alien" — and the holders march on as one of the favourites.
Full story: Messi scores in a record seventh consecutive World Cup game
3. Bellingham drags England through
England finished the group stage with a 2-0 win over Panama — but only after a miserable first hour. It took Jude Bellingham, again, to unlock it, steering home a volley from a corner just after the hour, before Harry Kane doubled the lead five minutes later to secure top spot in Group L.
"It was hard work," said Thomas Tuchel. "We won the group. I know we can do better." Few are convinced: two wins from three, a knockout tie with Senegal or DR Congo to come, and injury worries mounting around the likes of Reece James. The pundits' warning is blunt — improve, or this could be a short campaign.
Full story: Bellingham and Kane see off Panama as England top Group L
4. DR Congo make history
DR Congo wrote their own piece of history. Trailing Uzbekistan in Atlanta after an early Eldor Shomurodov goal, the Leopards roared back in the second half: Yoane Wissa levelled from the penalty spot, Fiston Mayele reacted quickest to turn it around, and Wissa added a third to complete a 3-1 comeback.
It was their first-ever World Cup victory, in only their second appearance, and it sealed a place in the last 32 for the very first time. Two goals for the Newcastle forward Wissa — the star of the night — and a reward that sets up a last-32 meeting with England.
Full story: DR Congo come from behind to reach the last 32 for the first time
5. Algeria 3-3 Austria — six-goal chaos
What looked like it might be a quiet, convenient draw turned into the wildest night of the group stage. Marko Arnautović opened the scoring in Kansas City, Belghali levelled with a brilliant solo goal, and Marcel Sabitzer edged Austria back ahead. Then Riyad Mahrez took over — equalising, and with seconds left, firing Algeria in front.
Austria looked beaten, until the 96th minute, when super-sub Sasa Kalajdzic rose to head home a stunning equaliser. Mahrez scored twice and took the man-of-the-match award, but Kalajdzic had the last word: 3-3, both nations through to the last 32 — and the cruel late drama knocked Iran out.
Full story: Algeria and Austria reach the last 32 after a wild 3-3 thriller
We're dropping a new World Cup Brief every few days through the tournament. Subscribe on YouTube so you never miss what happened.
Compiled by the ClutchBrief Desk with AI assistance, cross-checked against 3 outlets. How we work →