World Cup 2026: Three matches that defined the tournament

The 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by Mexico, Canada and the United States, ended with Spain lifting the trophy for the second time in their history, following their 2010 triumph. Luis de la Fuente's side once again needed a single extra-time goal to seal it - but the road to the final was paved with unforgettable drama. Group F: Netherlands 2-2 Japan The opening round delivered a classic in Edmonton. A cautious first half gave way to chaos after the break. Virgil van Dijk headed the Dutch ahead, but Keito Nakamura levelled with a crisp strike from the edge of the box. Crysencio Summerville curled a beauty into the far corner to restore the lead, yet Hajime Moriyasu's bold substitutions paid off: on 88 minutes, Koki Ogawa's header hit Daichi Kamada and flew into the top corner. A breathtaking 2-2 draw. Round of 32: Argentina 3-2 Cape Verde (aet) Tournament debutants Cape Verde had already stunned Uruguay and Saudi Arabia to reach the knockout stage. Lionel Messi scored his seventh goal in four games to put Argentina ahead, but Cape Verde refused to fade. Deroy Duarte equalised with a sharp angle finish. In extra time, Lisandro Martínez headed Argentina back in front, only for Sidny Lopes Cabral to unleash an incredible long-range strike into the top corner - 2-2. The fairy tale looked real until the 111th minute, when a corner resulted in a scramble and Cristian Romero's header trickled over the line. Argentina survived, but Cape Verde won hearts. Round of 32: Belgium 3-2 Senegal (aet) This match will be remembered for its staggering twist. Senegal led 2-0 through Habib Diarra and Ismaïla Sarr, and with five minutes left they were cruising into the last 16. Then Rudi Garcia hauled off Kevin De Bruyne and Jérémy Doku, and everything changed. Romelu Lukaku pulled one back on 86 minutes, and Youri Tielemans equalised three minutes later after a scramble. Extra time seemed destined for penalties until deep stoppage time, when VAR awarded Belgium a spot-kick. Tielemans stepped up and converted on 124 minutes and 44 seconds - the latest goal ever scored in a World Cup. Belgium's comeback was epic; Senegal's collapse was part of a wider pattern: eight of a record nine African teams in the knockout stage failed to hold late leads.