De Paul, who joined Messi at Inter Miami from Atletico Madrid last year, also paid tribute to his relationship with his skipper, describing their friendship as one of the most important things in his life.

Argentina and Cape Verde are set to meet for the first time, and the stakes could not be any higher as both teams look to book their place in the World Cup Round of 16.

Messi arrives in Miami as the tournament's leading scorer with six goals, having found the net in every match for Argentina. Waiting for him is a defence unit that has frustrated some of the most accomplished sides.

Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann has resigned following his team's shock last-32 exit from the World Cup at the hands of Paraguay, several media reported on Friday.

Switzerland moved into the last 16 of the World Cup with a controlled 2-0 win against Algeria on Thursday.

Ghana boss Carlos Queiroz said Thursday it was his team's "duty" to ensure another African side reached the World Cup round of 16 after a string of knockout defeats for teams from the continent.

Portugal coach Roberto Martinez defended the technology that ruled out Croatia's dramatic stoppage-time equaliser against his side, saying the "chip" inside the match ball left no room for debate, while Croatia boss Zlatko Dalic lamented that VAR is stripping football of its emotion.

Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic and Portugal's Roberto Martinez paid tribute on Friday to Luka Modric, who almost certainly played his last World Cup match.

Cape Verde head coach Bubista said a showdown against Argentina and Lionel Messi will be the "match of our lives" but said they will not fear the defending World Cup champions in Friday's last 32 clash.

Spain star Lamine Yamal said Thursday he was delighted with his team's performance in their 3-0 win in the World Cup last 32 against Austria -- but admitted he would have liked to score.

Cristiano Ronaldo described Portugal's tribute to the late Diogo Jota as "a special moment" after his side secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over Croatia to reach the World Cup last 16 on Friday.

Cristiano Ronaldo ended his World Cup knockout scoring drought as Portugal edged Croatia 2-1 after extra-long stoppage time in a dramatic Round of 32 clash in Toronto, booking a last-16 meeting with Spain.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored his first World Cup knockout goal before Goncalo Ramos struck a dramatic 94th-minute winner as Portugal edged Croatia 2-1 in a chaotic Round of 32 clash in Toronto, with heartbreak for the Croatians deep into an extended spell of stoppage time.

Cristiano Ronaldo broke his long-standing World Cup knockout duck after converting a penalty to bring Portugal level at 1-1 against Croatia in their Round of 32 clash in Toronto today, on an emotional occasion that coincided with the first death anniversary of Portugal and Liverpool forward Diogo Jota.

Cristiano Ronaldo is set for another World Cup record when Portugal take on Croatia in their Round of 32 clash in Toronto today, with the occasion carrying added emotional weight as it coincides with the first death anniversary of Portugal and Liverpool forward Diogo Jota.

Spain coasted past Austria and into the World Cup last-16 on Thursday, thoroughly outclassing their opponents in a 3-0 knockout win with a brace from Mikel Oyarzabal and a Pedro Porro header.

It is almost certainly the "last dance" on the global stage for two icons of the modern era, Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric.

When the road becomes winding, when the lights seem blinding, and when the way forward disappears from view, Kane somehow finds it.

Bos will be expected to play a key part when Australia face Mohamed Salah's Egypt in Texas in the last 32 with both countries looking to make a piece of history.

Paqueta, who has started alongside Casemiro and Bruno Guimaraes in midfield, suffered the injury during Brazil's dramatic 2-1 win over Japan in Houston on Monday.