When defending champions Argentina take on debutants Cape Verde in Friday’s FIFA World Cup Round of 32 clash, much of the spotlight will once again fall on captain Lionel Messi, who continues to rewrite football’s record books.

Already regarded as one of the greatest players in football history, Messi enters the encounter carrying two remarkable World Cup records.

The Argentine superstar is currently on a seven-match scoring streak at the FIFA World Cup, becoming the first player ever to score in seven consecutive World Cup matches. The run underlines his enduring influence even at the twilight of a glittering international career.

Record-Breaking Appearance

The match against Cape Verde will also see Messi make his 30th FIFA World Cup appearance, extending his own all-time record for the most matches played in the tournament’s history.

Having already surpassed previous record holders in recent years, the Argentine captain continues to add to a tally that may stand for generations.

Messi’s World Cup Legacy

Since making his World Cup debut in Germany in 2006, Messi has featured in six editions of football’s biggest tournament and has amassed an extraordinary collection of milestones.

Among his achievements:

• Most FIFA World Cup appearances: 30
• First player to score in seven consecutive World Cup matches
• World Cup winner with Argentina
• Argentina’s all-time leading World Cup scorer
• One of the tournament’s most decorated players

Argentina’s Dependence on Their Captain

Messi’s latest scoring sequence has coincided with Argentina’s impressive progress at the 2026 tournament.

The South Americans topped Group J and advanced to the knockout stage with confidence, with Messi once again proving decisive in crucial moments.

His ability to influence matches remains central to Argentina’s ambitions of becoming the first nation since Brazil in 1962 to successfully defend the World Cup title.

Cape Verde’s Historic Challenge

Standing in Argentina’s path are tournament surprise package Cape Verde.

The African debutants have already made history by reaching the knockout stage in their first-ever World Cup appearance and now face the daunting task of containing the competition’s most celebrated player.

For Cape Verde, stopping Messi could be the key to pulling off one of the greatest upsets in World Cup history.

By The Numbers

• 30 – Messi’s World Cup appearances after today’s match.
• 7 – Consecutive World Cup matches in which Messi has scored, a tournament record.
• 6 – World Cups contested by the Argentine captain.
• 1 – World Cup title won by Messi and Argentina.
• 0 – Previous meetings between Argentina and Cape Verde.

As Argentina seek a place in the Round of 16, all eyes will be on Messi, whose extraordinary World Cup journey shows no sign of slowing down. Another goal against Cape Verde would not only keep Argentina’s title defence on course but would further extend one of the most remarkable scoring runs the tournament has ever witnessed.

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For the first time since their memorable run to the quarter-finals in 2010, Ghana are back in the knockout phase of the FIFA World Cup, where they will face group winners Colombia in a historic Round of 32 encounter at Kansas City Stadium.

The match will mark the first-ever meeting between the two nations, both in FIFA World Cup competition and in all senior international football.

Contrasting Routes to the Knockout Stage

Colombia arrive as winners of Group K after collecting seven points from three matches. La Tricolor opened their campaign with a 3-1 victory over Uzbekistan before edging DR Congo 1-0, with defender Daniel Muñoz scoring in both wins.

A goalless draw against Portugal in Miami secured top spot and ensured Colombia progressed from the group stage unbeaten for only the second time in their World Cup history. The only previous occasion was in 2014, when they reached the quarter-finals after winning their opening five matches.

Ghana’s path was more dramatic. The Black Stars finished third in Group L with four points, enough to qualify for the knockout rounds despite a 2-1 defeat to Croatia in their final group match. Earlier results—a 1-0 victory over Panama and a goalless draw against group winners England—proved sufficient to secure progression.

First-Ever Meeting

Despite both nations having rich football traditions, Colombia and Ghana have never previously faced each other.

Head-to-Head Record

• Matches Played: 0
• Colombia Wins: 0
• Ghana Wins: 0
• Draws: 0
• Goals Scored: 0-0

Colombia’s Impressive Record Against African Opposition

History favours Colombia when facing African teams at the World Cup.

La Tricolor have won their last four World Cup matches against CAF representatives, a sequence that stretches back to their 2-1 extra-time defeat to Cameroon in the Round of 16 at Italia ’90. That encounter remains Colombia’s only previous knockout match against African opposition.

The South Americans are now competing in the knockout phase for the fourth time and have reached the second round in three consecutive World Cups.

Their defensive solidity has also been notable, with four clean sheets in their last six World Cup matches.

The 0-0 draw with Portugal was significant for another reason—it was the first goalless draw involving Colombia in 25 World Cup matches and ended a run of 11 consecutive World Cup games in which they had found the net.

Ghana Seeking Another Historic Run

The Black Stars are appearing in the World Cup knockout rounds for the third time after previous advances in 2006 and 2010.

Their finest World Cup achievement remains the quarter-final run in South Africa in 2010, when they came within a penalty kick of becoming the first African nation to reach the semi-finals.

Ghana’s only knockout-stage victory remains their dramatic 2-1 extra-time win over the United States in the Round of 16 in 2010.

The Black Stars will also be aiming to break an unwanted record against South American opponents. They remain winless in three previous World Cup encounters against CONMEBOL nations:

• Brazil 3-0 Ghana (2006)
• Ghana 1-1 Uruguay (2010, lost on penalties)
• Uruguay 2-0 Ghana (2022)

Interestingly, only one of Ghana’s 18 World Cup matches has ended without a goal.

Milestone Watch

Several players could reach significant landmarks in Kansas City.

For Colombia, veteran playmaker Juan Quintero could make his tenth World Cup appearance, becoming only the fourth Colombian player to reach double figures in the tournament.

For Ghana, captain Jordan Ayew is poised to join an elite club. A tenth World Cup appearance would see him become only the third Ghanaian player to reach the milestone, following brothers Asamoah Gyan (11 appearances) and André Ayew (10 appearances).

Queiroz Faces Former Employers

Adding another layer of intrigue is the presence of Ghana head coach Carlos Queiroz, who managed Colombia between February 2019 and December 2020.

Queiroz guided Colombia at the 2019 Copa América and will come up against several players he previously coached, including David Ospina, James Rodríguez, Luis Díaz, Yerry Mina, Davinson Sánchez, Jefferson Lerma and several others who remain part of Colombia’s World Cup squad.

By The Numbers

• First-ever meeting between Colombia and Ghana.
• Colombia are unbeaten in Group K and have reached the knockout stage for the fourth time.
• Ghana are in the knockout phase for the first time since 2010.
• Colombia have won their last four World Cup matches against African opponents.
• Ghana have never beaten a South American team at the World Cup.
• Colombia have kept four clean sheets in their last six World Cup matches.
• Jordan Ayew could make his 10th World Cup appearance.
• Juan Quintero could make his 10th World Cup appearance.
• Carlos Queiroz faces the nation he coached from 2019 to 2020.

The clash promises to be one of the most intriguing ties of the Round of 32, pitting Colombia’s defensive discipline and unbeaten momentum against a Ghana side seeking to recreate the magic of its historic 2010 campaign.

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BY KUNLE SOLAJA.

Ghana’s clash with Colombia carries an intriguing subplot.

Black Stars head coach Carlos Queiroz will be facing a team he knows well, having managed Colombia between February 2019 and December 2020.

The Portuguese tactician led the South Americans at the 2019 Copa América and remains familiar with many aspects of Colombian football.

That knowledge could prove invaluable as Ghana seek a place in the Round of 16.

The four-time African champions have already demonstrated resilience throughout the tournament and will hope Queiroz can exploit any weaknesses in a Colombian side determined to continue its own impressive campaign.

For Ghana, victory would not only secure progression but also bring Africa one step closer to ending its long wait for another deep World Cup run.

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