Overview
- Lionel Messi scored twice on Monday to move to 18 World Cup goals overall and help Argentina seal qualification to the round of 32.
- Egypt came from behind to beat New Zealand 3-1 on Monday, recording the nation’s first ever World Cup victory and moving top of Group 7.
- FIFA’s head‑injury substitution rule was applied in Egypt’s match after Hussam Abdelmajid suffered a head injury, allowing a sixth substitution under the tournament protocol.
- Tunisia were eliminated after heavy defeats to Sweden and Japan that left them with nine goals conceded from two games and prompted calls at home for structural reforms.
- Algeria beat Jordan 2-1 to revive its qualification hopes in Group 10 while Norway’s 3-2 win over Senegal sent it through to the round of 32 alongside France, and the expanded format means third-place finishes now carry added strategic importance.