The night of July 3–4 delivered three closing Round of 32 matches to fans following the 2026 World Cup schedule in Kyiv time. The biggest sensation: Cape Verde came back twice against the reigning world champions and only fell in extra time. Egypt won a World Cup knockout match for the first time in their history, while Colombia comfortably sent Ghana home.
Night results
Egypt — Australia 1:1 (4:2 on penalties)
The match at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, kicked off at 21:00 Kyiv time and was decided by a penalty shootout within the overnight window. Egypt opened the scoring in the 13th minute: Emam Ashour collected a rebound and headed the ball into the near corner — his second goal of the tournament. Australia levelled in the second half through a Mohamed Hany own goal — the Egyptian's second own goal of the tournament, setting a unique unwanted record. In the shootout, the Pharaohs were more clinical — 4:2 — and reached the Round of 16 for the first time in their history. Egypt's next opponent is Argentina.
Argentina — Cape Verde 3:2 (after extra time)
The most dramatic match of the night at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami (kick-off at 01:00 Kyiv time) nearly became the biggest upset in World Cup history. Lionel Messi opened the scoring in the 29th minute after a pass from Lisandro Martínez — the Argentine's seventh goal of the tournament and his 20th in World Cup career. Cape Verde responded in the 59th minute: Droy Duarte equalised, slotting the ball through Lisandro Martínez's legs. Argentina could not find a winner in normal time and the match went to extra time. Lisandro Martínez restored the lead in the 92nd minute with a powerful near-post strike from a corner, but Sídney Lopes Cabral replied in the 103rd minute with a stunning effort from a tight angle — one of the finest goals of the tournament. The winning goal came in the 111th minute from a Messi corner: Cristian Romero's header deflected off defender Diney Borges's arm and into the net — the goal was awarded as an own goal. Argentina advance to the Round of 16, where they will face Egypt.
Colombia — Ghana 1:0
At Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City (kick-off at 04:30 Kyiv time), Colombia settled the tie as early as the 14th minute. John Arias converted a cross from the right flank after a solo run by Luis Suárez, sending the ball into the bottom corner. Ghana tried to respond, but the Colombian defence gave them no chance — 1:0 and a place in the Round of 16, where they will face Switzerland.
Tournament bracket
The Round of 32 is now complete. All 16 participants in the Round of 16 have been determined from the 32 teams that entered the knockout stage. Argentina, despite serious difficulties, confirmed their status as favourites and will face Egypt on Tuesday, July 7 (19:00 Kyiv time, Atlanta). Colombia will play Switzerland on the same day at 23:00 Kyiv time in Vancouver. Australia and Ghana are eliminated from the tournament.
The full 2026 World Cup schedule in Kyiv time for July 3, including a preview of these three matches, is available in a separate article. A reminder that the Australia — Egypt match was covered in a dedicated report on the evening WC-2026 match.
Off the pitch
- Messi — 20 World Cup goals. The goal against Cape Verde was Lionel Messi's 20th in World Cup competition — an all-time tournament record.
- Own-goal record. Mohamed Hany (Egypt) scored his second own goal of this tournament — the first time in World Cup history that a single player has put the ball into his own net twice at the same tournament.
- Cape Verde — the smallest nation in the knockout stage. The island nation with a population of over 500,000 and a 40-year-old goalkeeper, Vozinha, became the smallest country ever to reach the knockout stage of a World Cup. Despite the defeat, the Blue Sharks left an unforgettable mark on this tournament.
- Egypt — first-ever Round of 16 appearance. The penalty shootout victory over Australia was Egypt's first-ever win in a World Cup knockout match throughout their entire tournament history.
Today, July 4, the Round of 16 begins: Canada face Morocco at 20:00 Kyiv time in Houston, while Paraguay take on France at 00:00 Kyiv time (already July 5) in Philadelphia. A full preview is available in the evening preview section on the 2026 World Cup schedule page.
See also: Spain, Portugal and Switzerland advance to the Round of 16: World Cup night recap
Photo: Sean Leahy · Editorial (source)
