Argentina on edge after Cape Verde scare, rankings shift

Argentina on – Cape Verde came terrifyingly close to toppling world champions Argentina in the last 16, while Mo Salah’s Egypt beat Australia on penalties. With matches stacking up and fresh knockout paths forming, France stays first in the re-ranked 48-team order after day

The moment Cape Verde nearly stunned the holders, it didn’t just rattle Argentina’s route into the last 16—it forced everyone watching to reassess how close the gap really is.

Argentina required extra time to get past Cape Verde after twice being pegged back. before an own goal in the 111th minute courtesy of Diney sent them through. A 3-2 win after extra time kept Lionel Messi moving. with the Argentina captain topping the World Cup goalscorer rankings with his seventh of the tournament against Cape Verde. Still. the scare lingered: Argentina had played what looked like a relatively straightforward group stage. and now the tournament’s pressure is finally starting to bite.

On the same day, the knockout picture sharpened elsewhere. Jhon Arias scored the only goal as Colombia beat Ghana and set up a path toward a quarter-final showdown with Lionel Messi and Co only if they can first get past their next test. Mo Salah’s Egypt triumphed over Australia on penalties, adding another jolt to an already dramatic round of 16.

Here is how our rankings look after day 23.

France stays on top after 3-0 against Sweden
France remain first. keeping the lead even after Kylian Mbappe’s team piled on the attacking output. After a 3-0 win over Sweden, France are the highest-scoring team at the tournament. Mbappe could collect the Golden Boot with six goals. and Michael Olise could finish with the most assists with five and counting. Their form is expected to carry through their last-16 meeting with Paraguay.

France also have a projection hovering over their season: The live projection tool forecasts a 28 per cent chance of them winning the World Cup.

Spain climbs after three wins in a row
Spain sit second in the re-order, a spot higher than before. They began with a frustrating 0-0 draw with Cape Verde. but have since won three consecutive matches without conceding a goal. Their Thursday night 3-0 victory over Austria was described as their best display yet. powered by Mikel Oyarzabal. who brought his tournament tally to four with a brace.

Argentina’s Cape Verde test changes the temperature
Argentina move down to third. The gap between “contender” and “properly tested” is where the nerves now sit.

Against Cape Verde. Argentina faced a match that tightened and tightened again: they were pegged back twice before Diney’s own goal in the 111th minute sent them through. Messi’s seventh goal of the tournament kept him in control of the scoring race. but the tournament still hasn’t forced Argentina into the kind of fight that comes from deeper knockout pressure.

Now, the next step matters because a quarter-final isn’t a guarantee. The report frames Cape Verde as the toughest opponent Argentina have faced so far, and notes that another key question hangs on whether they can beat Egypt in the last 16.

Brazil surges; a last match against Morocco is still remembered
Brazil remain fourth. Their path looked smooth in the round of 16 build-up, with wins over Scotland and Haiti. But there were worries after a draw with Morocco, which left some expecting a tough tie for Brazil in the round of 32.

Those doubts didn’t last long. Brazil advanced with a stoppage-time winner from Gabriel Martinelli after Carlo Ancelotti was described as the calmest man in Houston.

England’s knockout escape keeps them climbing cautiously
England rank fifth. Since beating Croatia. their games have been tough to watch. with Ghana. Panama and DR Congo frustrating them for long stretches. But the last-15-minute turnaround win in the last 16—after conceding the opening goal—showed they had solutions.

Harry Kane’s double put him back into the Golden Boot race with five goals. England’s next test is immediate and brutal: co-hosts Mexico at the Estadio Azteca.

Mexico’s record is perfect and the Azteca feels ready to roar
Mexico remain sixth, and they qualify for the round of 16 with a perfect record and without conceding a goal. They won three straight matches in the group stage, then beat Ecuador 2-0 in the last 32.

The report stresses the scale of the moment for Mexico: it was their first knockout win in 40 years. Julian Quinones and Raul Jimenez are dependable goal threats, with five combined. For the Ecuador game, the home support in Mexico City at the Estadio Azteca was described as incredible.

Morocco’s youth system is paying off—now Canada waits
Morocco are seventh in the re-rank. Their round-of-32 victory against the Netherlands is framed as more than a fluke, tying it back to their Qatar 2022 semi-finals run.

Manager Mohamed Ouahbi has nurtured a new group, including winning the 2025 Under-20 World Cup. Morocco’s pathway now includes a last-16 meeting with hosts Canada.

Norway’s last-16 run brings a Brazil matchup
Norway move into eighth spot with a tie described as mouthwatering against Brazil. Their defence stood tall against the Ivory Coast, dealing effectively with set pieces and crosses. Goalkeeper Orjan Nyland is highlighted for crucial saves, including tipping Amad’s late free kick over the bar.

Ivory Coast, despite failing to contain Norway, scored eight goals across three group games. The report points to that tension, while also noting Norway were well rested after a rotated line-up in their final group match against France.

Portugal survive a drama; Spain is next
Portugal remain ninth. They haven’t looked convincing at the tournament despite having arguably the best midfield. They finished behind Colombia in Group K, but their knockout life continues through a match against Croatia.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored his first World Cup knockout goal with a penalty and was later substituted. Roberto Martinez’s side still pulled through with a stoppage-time header from Goncalo Ramos. The winner came in the 94th minute. though the game didn’t end there: Croatia scored a disallowed equaliser 11 minutes later.

Next up: Spain.

Colombia make the last 16 after beating Ghana; James Rodriguez might miss out
Colombia sit tenth. They beat Ghana 1-0 with Jhon Arias scoring the only goal, confirming their spot in the last 16.

After topping their group ahead of Portugal. Nestor Lorenzo’s team had the kind of pathway that looks favourable on paper: they faced Ghana in the last 32. and now face Switzerland in the round of 16. But the report puts a spotlight on a potential absence—talison James Rodriguez was substituted at half-time against Ghana after suffering from the flu.

Even so, Luis Diaz and Jhon Arias’ attacking quality are pointed to as compensation. Switzerland are described as canny, and the write-up adds another layer of motivation: Colombia may be thinking about revenge on Argentina, who beat them in extra time in the final of the 2024 Copa America.

The United States face Belgium without Folarin Balogun
The U.S. remain eleventh. Mauricio Pochettino’s team continued their group-stage form to join Canada and Mexico in the last 16, easing beyond Bosnia and Herzegovina despite being reduced to 10 men.

But the next match carries a cost. Folarin Balogun will miss the last-16 game after his red card. The report notes this could be critical for their goal threat as they take on Belgium in Seattle.

It also frames the wider stakes: the U.S. are looking to reach the quarter-finals for just the third time, and to avenge a 5-2 friendly loss to Belgium in March. If they do reach the last eight, they will play one of Portugal or Spain.

Switzerland’s knockout moment keeps them rising
Switzerland are twelfth. The report recalls that Switzerland have suffered last-16 defeat in the past three World Cups, but victory over Algeria in the round of 32 at this expanded edition means they have finally won a knockout game.

They also won three matches in a row at this tournament. Midfielder Johan Manzambi is described as a breakout star, with his mazy run setting up Breel Embolo’s opener. Switzerland will meet either Colombia or Ghana, and the tone suggests they look capable of beating both.

Belgium’s comeback keeps them alive; the clock now moves to the U.S. Belgium rank thirteenth. They looked headed out after going 2-0 down against Senegal in the round of 32. In a surprising move, head coach Rudi Garcia reacted by taking off Kevin De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku. Belgium revived and somehow scored two goals in the last four minutes.

Youri Tielemans’ penalty in the second half of extra time is highlighted as the latest goal at a World Cup, capping a remarkable comeback. Belgium’s next opponent is the U.S., who they beat 5-2 in a friendly in March.

Canada calls it a “free hit” before Morocco arrives
Canada move to fourteenth. Their co-hosts’ coach Jesse Marsch described the next game—now confirmed as against Morocco in the round of 16—as “a free hit” after Stephen Eustaquio’s 92nd-minute winner ensured Canada beat South Africa in Los Angeles.

It’s framed as a tough interpretation of their chances, but the report notes they will start the game in Houston as the underdogs.

Egypt discard the underachiever label and face Argentina next
Egypt rank fifteenth. The write-up stresses how Egypt have shed the “greatest underachievers” tag by reaching the last 16.

Remarkably. Egypt had never won a game at the World Cup until this tournament. despite being the most successful team in Africa’s continental competition with a record seven Africa Cup of Nations titles. At the ninth attempt. stretching back to 1934. that first World Cup win came against New Zealand in their second group game.

The report also ties Egypt’s momentum to their handling of Oceania teams, noting Australia’s elimination in the last 32 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in regular and extra time. Argentina are described as their toughest test yet.

Paraguay build momentum with set-piece strikes and Orlando Gill’s saves
Paraguay are sixteenth. They had a mixed group stage, including being dismantled 4-1 by the U.S., but the report frames that embarrassment as behind them now.

In their run to the last 16. Paraguay did what underdogs are supposed to do: defend and score from a set piece. It was a recycled corner—Matias Galarza’s cross to Julio Enciso’s header—and the match hinges again on goalkeeping. Goalkeeper Orlando Gill is described as a hero. keeping two clean sheets in the group. and then making two penalty saves to reach the last 16.

Paraguay’s reward is a meeting with tournament favourites France.

Cape Verde’s magic ends with a fight, and a goal-of-the-tournament contender
Cape Verde rank seventeenth, rising two places. Their World Cup has gripped hearts “around the world,” and they depart in style after drawing all three group matches and pushing into the knockouts.

They drew 0-0 with Spain, then finished above Uruguay to progress to the last 16 as a second-placed team, drawing all three of their matches.

In the knockout stages. the report says they saved their best and most spirited performance until the end: they twice came from behind against Messi and the world champions. Vozinha, the breakout star, made eight saves, including an excellent stop to prevent Messi in a one-on-one. Roberto ‘Pico’ Lopes was outstanding in defence.

But the star of the day was full-back Sidny Lopes Cabral, whose curled finish from an implausible angle is described as one that will surely be a goal-of-the-tournament contender.

And then the tournament says farewell: “Farewell, Cape Verde; on behalf of football lovers around the world, we hope to see you again soon.”

Netherlands, Germany and Japan occupy the next wave—each with its own kind of ending
Netherlands are eighteenth. Their group stage built confidence with a 5-1 win over Sweden. But after topping their group. they drew another top-10-ranked team in Morocco and exited after missing three out of five penalties. losing in the shootout. The report notes Koeman’s resignation after disappointment exiting at this stage.

Germany rank nineteenth. They had promising group performances with two wins after two games—thrashing Curacao and then a late win over the Ivory Coast—but they lost 2-1 to Ecuador in their final group match. Their elimination to Paraguay in the last 32 is shown as controversial: Jonathan Tah’s extra-time goal was ruled out for apparent blocking of the goalkeeper.

The report adds that it shouldn’t have come down to this. recalling Paraguay’s earlier 4-1 loss to the U.S. Germany’s exit is placed within a wider pattern: early exits at their previous two tournaments since winning the World Cup in 2014. plus a first shootout defeat in World Cup history. Julian Nagelsmann has since left as head coach.

Japan are twentieth. They impressed in the group stages with an egoless. exciting brand. and their last-32 match against Brazil almost built a classic upset. Japan took the lead through midfielder Kaishu Sano, but Brazil won with an added-time goal. The report points to injuries they suffered before and throughout the tournament affecting Kaoru Mitoma, Takefusa Kubo and Wataru Endo.

Senegal, Ivory Coast and Croatia follow with heartbreak and unfinished business
Senegal are twenty-first. Against Belgium. they were 2-0 up in the 86th minute. but ended up losing after Youri Tielemans’ winning penalty in extra time. The report calls it a heartbreaking exit. describing Senegal players moved to tears. months after they were stripped of the AFCON title. Ismaila Sarr’s spectacular goal is highlighted. arriving from being brought down on his chest and lashed into the back of the net.

Ivory Coast are twenty-second. They exited having only lost to Germany and Norway. They beat Ecuador and Curacao and were among “the best of the rest. ” but still have work to do catching the contenders. The report notes their youngest squad. and credits Amad for an impressive tournament. including a winner against Ecuador and a stunning solo goal versus Norway. But none of their strikers found the net, and the report ties that to a key element of their downfall.

Croatia are twenty-third after exiting the round of 32 with a late defeat by Portugal. They finished second in Group L behind England, with a 4-2 opener loss to Thomas Tuchel’s side. They then bounced back with wins against Panama and Ghana. All attention turns to 40-year-old Modric, with the report framing that he might have played his last international match.

Sweden’s turnaround ends in a clean exit to France
Sweden are twenty-fourth. Their turnaround since the end of last year is described: Sweden had finished bottom of their World Cup qualifying group behind Kosovo. Slovenia and Switzerland without winning a game. but under Graham Potter they beat Ukraine and Poland in the play-offs. then delivered a 5-1 win over Tunisia in their opening game and drew with Japan. Their last-32 loss to France is framed as no disgrace. with the quality of players like Alexander Isak. Viktor Gyokeres and Anthony Elanga pointing toward future consistency.

Ecuador’s defensive story ends with only two goals across four games
Ecuador rank twenty-fifth. Their strength is described as defensive resilience. but across four games they scored only twice and failed to break down Curacao. Both goals came in a 2-1 win over Germany. In the knockouts, they couldn’t match Mexico’s ruthlessness.

Enner Valencia, 36, didn’t get going, and defensive names Moises Caicedo, William Pacho and Piero Hincapie are listed. Hincapie was dismissed in added time against Mexico for covering his mouth in a confrontation.

Ghana’s rise from low expectations is confirmed—even in the loss
Ghana are ranked twenty-sixth. down 10 places. and the report frames their World Cup as proving they were much better than FIFA gave them credit for. Ghana entered as the 73rd-ranked team in the world, second-lowest at the tournament behind Curacao. They qualified after a win over Panama in their opening game and then a 0-0 draw against England where they were extremely unfortunate not to be awarded a late penalty.

Against Colombia, their talent was eventually outweighed, but the report frames the elimination as a platform for building after inconsistent performances in recent years. It also notes that Mohammed Kudus’ spark in attack was injured in the match.

Ralf Rangnick’s Austria fall; Australia’s fight ends on penalties
Austria are twenty-seventh. After reaching the knockout stage by the skin of their teeth in a dramatic final group game against Algeria. they were well beaten by Spain in the round of 32. Ralf Rangnick’s side scored three times on two occasions in the group phase. but couldn’t excel either defensively or offensively against superior opposition that also included Argentina. It was their first World Cup since 1998.

Australia rank twenty-eighth. Their unlikely 2-0 win over Turkey is called one of the first major shocks. They continued as a spirited side built for pressure and quick counters under Tony Popovic. but they couldn’t replicate their final-third efficiency in later matches. They did manage to get back on level terms with Egypt after falling behind. before eventually being eliminated on penalties by Egypt.

Algeria’s Mahrez milestone ends in a defeat to Switzerland
Algeria are twenty-ninth. Their round-of-32 match against Switzerland is described as disappointing, with Algeria failing to create clear-cut chances. But Riyad Mahrez, 35, scored his first World Cup goals at the tournament. The report also mentions Anis Hadj Moussa, a 24-year-old Feyenoord winger coming through.

The key players aren’t at their prime, the report says, and Algeria looked behind Senegal, Ivory Coast and Morocco in quality.

DR Congo’s second World Cup appearance continues with a first knockout breakthrough
DR Congo are thirtieth. Competing at only their second World Cup after their first as Zaire in 1974. they progressed to the knockouts for the first time as one of nine African nations to reach the last 32. Draw with Portugal and win over Uzbekistan in Group K secured their place.

Against England, DR Congo started quickly with a lead through Brian Cipenga. Goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi is highlighted as looking destined to join Vozinha and Eloy Room, but the report says he was eventually breached. Even in defeat, DR Congo left a favourable impression.

Bosnia and Herzegovina celebrate their first knockout as an independent nation
Bosnia and Herzegovina are thirty-first. A win over Qatar and draw with Canada took them to their first knockout game as an independent nation after formerly being part of Yugoslavia. The report frames it as a good achievement.

South Africa ends their run but feels what-ifs
South Africa are thirty-second. The report says farewell to South Africa after their opening-game defeat by Mexico made it feel unlikely they’d make it out of the group. Given it was their first time qualifying for the knockout phase of the World Cup. the report frames this World Cup as a success. But any defeat in stoppage time creates a sense of what could have been. The team came so close to taking co-hosts into extra time and potentially penalties.

The report also notes Hugo Broos departs as the oldest man to ever coach a team in the knockout stages.

Iran’s tournament ends without losing, and with disallowed moments
Iran are thirty-third. The report says Iran were left to rue their last match against Egypt. where an added-time winner was disallowed for marginal offside before Iran hit the crossbar even later. A win would have guaranteed progress to the knockout stages. Instead. Iran had to wait for results from elsewhere and hope their three points and zero goal difference would be enough.

When Algeria scored what looked like an added-time winner in their final group match, Iran were going through—until Austria’s equaliser in the last moments effectively knocked them out.

Despite being in military conflict with one of the co-hosts, the U.S., Iran performed well and were forced to fly in and out of the U.S. just hours before and after their matches, a decision eventually scrapped. Iran’s elimination without losing is framed as something that would sting.

New Zealand remembers Elijah Just and Tim Payne’s viral spark
New Zealand are thirty-fourth. The report says they’ll be remembered for breakout star Elijah Just. who scored three goals. and for Chris Wood touches in the first game against Iran. After that first game, New Zealand were overwhelmed by Egypt and Belgium, losing comprehensively.

They still played a part in their first World Cup since 2010, including their own viral sensation in Tim Payne. Their future goal remains reaching the knockouts for the first time.

Turkey’s underwhelming tournament ends with last-game pride
Turkey are thirty-fifth. The report calls it possibly the most underwhelming team compared to their pre-tournament expectations. Turkey were eliminated with a game to spare, despite being expected by many to progress ahead of Australia and Paraguay.

They saved face in the final match, scoring their first goals and earning a 3-2 win against the U.S., but it was too late.

Uruguay self-destructs at the end, and Marcelo Bielsa departs with disappointment
Uruguay are thirty-sixth. They needed a result in their final group game against Spain after taking only two points from Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde. They never looked like winning, the report says.

With a goalkeeping howler and a red card, Marcelo Bielsa’s side self-imploded at the end of a bitterly disappointing tournament.

Saudi Arabia’s regression continues; South Korea’s captain struggles
Saudi Arabia are thirty-seventh, and the report frames their tournament as a regression from appearances in 2018 and 2022 when they were able to win a group game. They’ve reached the knockout stage on one occasion, in 1994.

South Korea are thirty-eighth after a positive start beating the Czech Republic 2-1. then limply losing to Mexico and South Africa without scoring. They finished with three points and minus one goal difference. not enough to progress as one of the best third-placed teams. and this is described as a regression from 2022 when they progressed ahead of Uruguay and Ghana.

The report notes captain Son Heung-min struggled to impact games and was dropped from the starting line-up in the final game.

Scotland’s late heartbreak costs Steve Clarke his job
Scotland are thirty-ninth. Their elimination was confirmed by results elsewhere, leading manager Steve Clarke to resign after seven years in charge.

Scotland’s three points from their win against Haiti were not enough to go through as one of the best third-placed teams due to a minus-three goal difference after a comprehensive 3-0 loss to Brazil in their final game.

Curacao earn a point and exit to the Ivory Coast
Curacao are fortieth. The report calls them the smallest nation to compete at a World Cup. They came away with a point earned against Ecuador thanks to the heroics of goalkeeper Eloy Room. and their first goal at the tournament scored by Livano Comenencia. but were eliminated after a defeat by the Ivory Coast.

After losing 7-1 to Germany in their first game, Curacao recovered and gave a good account overall.

The Czech Republic leave with disappointment
The Czech Republic are forty-first. Needing a win against Mexico in their final group game, they lost 3-0. The report says they had left qualification fights behind—beating the Republic of Ireland and Denmark in European qualification play-offs—but underwhelmed at this World Cup. with just one point against South Africa and finishing bottom of Group A.

Uzbekistan make history but go home pointless
Uzbekistan are forty-second. They came away from their debut World Cup pointless but showed fight against Colombia and took the lead against DR Congo. They got to face Cristiano Ronaldo in what is described as surely his last World Cup. but were on the wrong side of history as he scored at his sixth edition in Portugal’s 5-0 win.

Despite having legendary centre-back Fabio Cannavaro in the dugout, the report says they conceded 11 goals in three games.

Panama leave with no goals, but keep attacking foundations
Panama are forty-third. They were already eliminated before facing England. and a 2-0 loss means they return home being the only team at this year’s World Cup not to score. Positives remain: Panama were hard to beat and only lost by a one-goal margin against Ghana and Croatia. They improved on their 2018 debut in which they conceded 11 goals.

Jordan, Haiti and Qatar end early
Jordan are forty-fourth. They bowed out at their debut tournament with a game to spare after losses to Austria and Algeria. Jordan scored in all three games. including their last against Argentina. but didn’t do enough to stifle opponents in the way some debutant nations did.

Haiti are forty-fifth, with a 4-2 loss to Morocco in which Sunderland’s Wilson Isidor scored a memorable goal. After appearing in their first World Cup since 1974, Haiti hope for luckier draws next time and to avoid two top-10-ranked nations, Morocco and Brazil.

Qatar are forty-sixth. The report says Qatar were eliminated after a 3-1 loss to Bosnia and Herzegovina. They earned a point against Switzerland in their opening match. but manager Julen Lopetegui couldn’t prevent one of the worst performances of the group stage. with a 6-0 loss and two red cards against Canada in their second outing. They failed to build on that opening point.

Iraq’s highlight is captain Aymen Hussein, held by immigration
Iraq are forty-seventh. The report says Iraq didn’t get near their group opponents, who included Haaland and Mbappe. Their highlight is captain Aymen Hussein’s goal against Norway. in the aftermath of Hussein being held for several hours for questioning by U.S. immigration officials upon entering the country.

Iraq’s chances were also counted with a moment: had they beaten Senegal, they would still have had a chance of qualification. Instead, they conceded after four minutes and were reduced to 10 players shortly after. They ended their first World Cup campaign since 1986 with a 5-0 defeat.

Tunisia finish with a minus-10 goal difference
Tunisia are forty-eighth. The report calls the tournament miserable. Tunisia sacked Sabri Lamouchi after a 5-1 opening loss to Sweden. Herve Renard’s replacement couldn’t prevent further heavy defeats by Japan and the Netherlands.

Tunisia finished with a minus-10 goal difference, described as the worst losing margin of any team.

In the knockout phase, the biggest story isn’t just who’s winning—it’s who had to survive
Across day 23, one pattern stands out purely from the results: the teams treated as favourites aren’t cruising without pressure.

France and Spain keep finding ways to win and manage their goals. while Argentina’s path through Cape Verde shows how quickly a match can turn into a test of nerve. Around them. Egypt’s penalty win over Australia. Colombia’s one-goal breakthrough over Ghana. and Belgium’s late turnaround over Senegal all underline the same point—knockout football makes margins feel smaller. and errors feel loud.

As the last 16 continues, the rankings may be a snapshot after day 23, but the tournament’s reality is getting sharper by the minute.

World Cup 2026 Argentina Cape Verde France Spain rankings after day 23 last 16 Messi Egypt Australia penalties Colombia Ghana