If this overwhelming dependency stays constant, even the golden goose laying eggs may not be enough when the tournament reaches its deep end.

The nerve-wracking Round of 32 of the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2026 came to an end on Saturday morning with defending champions Argentina, Colombia and Egypt clinching the final three berths in the Round of 16.

Questions about Messi's longevity have long since been answered, but coach Lionel Scaloni's conundrum remains -- how long can Argentina go on letting one little genius solve their problems?

An own goal from Diney Borges under pressure from Argentina's Cristian Romero in the 111th minute settled the match in Miami and reigning champions Argentina move on to face Egypt.

Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni brushed aside suggestions that FIFA had favoured his side through refereeing decisions or the World Cup knockout draw, insisting he pays no attention to such speculation.

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.

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.

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.

Prophesying a massive upset, Ghanaian shaman Nana Kwaku Bonsam claims underdog Cabo Verde will eliminate Lionel Messi and defending champions Argentina from the 2026 World Cup. Football fans await this thrilling Round of 32 clash.

Kylian Mbappe joined Lionel Messi at the top of the Golden Boot race at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after scoring twice in France's convincing 3-0 victory over Sweden in their Round of 32 clash at the New York-New Jersey Stadium today.

Relive Brazil's thrilling victory over Scotland at Miami's Hard Rock Stadium, where Vinicius' disallowed hat-trick sparkled a controversial VAR debate, proving how modern football continues to use Lionel Messi as its ultimate benchmark.

The online critique that a better keeper stops the shot fundamentally barks up the wrong tree.

He came on for a cameo appearance, playing just 36 minutes. Yet that was all he needed to steal the spotlight.

"It's a little bit of an uncomfortable situation when people ask me that and I don't know what to say," Scaloni said when quizzed once again about Messi's performance.

With Argentina beating Jordan 3-1 and Algeria and Austria playing out a dramatic 3-3 draw in the final Group J matches, the group stage of the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2026 came to an end on Sunday.

Captain Lionel Messi came off the bench to score from a trademark freekick as defending champions Argentina beat Jordan 3-1 in their dead-rubber Group J World Cup clash in Dallas on Sunday, with the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner becoming the first player to score in seven successive World Cup matches.

Captain Lionel Messi came off the bench soon after Argentina conceded for the first time at this World Cup, with Jordan pulling one back to make it 2-1 in a dead-rubber Group J clash in Dallas on Sunday.

If there were any doubts that Argentina lacked a goalscorer other than the great Lionel Messi, those were put to rest when the defending champions took the lead through a Giovani Lo Celso freekick in their dead-rubber Group J clash against Jordan in Dallas on Sunday.

Following a hectic 17-day schedule featuring 72 group-stage matches, the FIFA World Cup 2026 is finally entering its business end, as hosts Canada take on South Africa in the opening Round of 32 match at Los Angeles Stadium tonight. 

Lionel Messi starts on the bench as Argentina take on Jordan in their final Group J match at Dallas Stadium on Saturday with coach Lionel Scaloni making nine changes to the side that defeated Austria in their previous match.