Messi scores in seventh straight World Cup as England face DR Congo with injury crisis deepening

Lionel Messi etched his name further into World Cup history on the final night of group-stage action, scoring as a substitute in Argentina’s 3-1 win over Jordan to take his all-time tournament tally to 19 goals — and become the first player ever to score in seven consecutive World Cups.

England also progressed in comfortable fashion, defeating Panama 2-0 to finish top of Group L with seven points. The first half was goalless and drew sharp criticism from pundit Roy Keane, who compared England’s lack of intensity to Scotland’s recent struggles and argued that the team’s top players failed to impose themselves against lower-ranked opposition. Second-half goals from Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane eventually settled the contest.

The result confirmed England’s Round of 32 opponent as DR Congo, with the knockout tie scheduled for Atlanta on Tuesday, 1 July. However, manager Thomas Tuchel heads into that match with a mounting defensive injury crisis. Jarell Quansah limped off during the Panama game, joining Reece James and Tino Livramento on the sidelines and leaving Djed Spence as the squad’s only fit natural right-back.

Elsewhere, Scotland’s tournament came to an end after Croatia defeated Ghana 2-1, a result that confirmed the Scots’ elimination and left them at the bottom of their group. Manager Steve Clarke subsequently resigned from his post.

The evening also produced an emotional moment involving Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who was visibly moved on television while watching Bosnia and Herzegovina advance. The former Sweden striker cited his father’s Bosnian roots as the reason the milestone carried such personal significance.

American television presenter Abigail Velez, of ABC Los Angeles, issued a formal apology after facing immediate backlash for on-air comments made during a World Cup segment in which she stated she did not “know the first thing” about Bosnia and Herzegovina. Velez acknowledged the remarks were inappropriate.