Lionel Messi celebrated a milestone as Argentina thrashed a modest opponent 2‑0, giving him the World Cup record for most career goals. The Argentine captain beamed, saying he felt “so happy” after the strike that pushed him past the previous mark. The win came in Group L play in Houston, where fans witnessed history. The stadium erupted as the ball hit the net, sparking cheers. A 100‑year‑old fan watched the moment unfold.

Across the United States, Group K featured Portugal versus Uzbekistan in Houston and England taking on Ghana in Foxborough. Portugal, led by Cristiano Ronaldo, sought a win to stay alive in the tournament, while England aimed to recover from a shaky start. Both matches carried weight for qualification, with each side needing three points to keep hopes alive. Both squads will count on veterans.

The day's slate also included Panama versus Croatia in Toronto and Colombia facing DR Congo in Guadalajara, completing the final round of group‑stage action. Results will lock the top two teams in each group, shaping the knockout bracket. With Messi’s record and Portugal’s quest dominating headlines, the tournament’s second round now sets the stage for decisive battles. Fans in each city celebrated.