Harry Kane is England’s top World Cup goalscorer; Austrian drama

Hats off to Colombia and Luis Díaz: thanks to a goalless draw against reigning Nations League champions Portugal, the South Americans secured top spot in the group ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo and his team. England, led by striker Harry Kane, celebrated their second win in three matches against Panama and are therefore also group winners – notably, with his goal to make it 2–0, the FC Bayern striker overtook England legend Gary Lineker and is now the Three Lions’ sole all-time World Cup top scorer. Bayern defender Josip Stanišić and his Croatia team-mates finished second in their World Cup group after beating Ghana 2-1. Things took a dramatic turn for Austria and FCB player Konrad Laimer: In added time, it initially looked as though Algeria had knocked the Alpine nation out of the tournament with a 3–2 win – but then Austria scored with a header to secure their place in the next round

Colombia had already qualified before the final clash for top spot in the group, whilst Portugal needed to win to secure first place. Nevertheless, it was the Colombians who dominated the match, clearly brimming with confidence following two wins against Uzbekistan and the DR Congo. However, Luis Díaz, among others, failed to capitalise with a deflected shot. Portugal then got off to a better start but lost their way again – yet the Colombians were unable to capitalise on four clear-cut chances. It was only in the closing stages that Colombia had cause to celebrate: In added time, defender Sánchez headed the ball into the net, but – as VAR revealed – he was offside by the tip of his big toe. As a result, Luis Díaz and Los Cafeteros will face Ghana in the Round of 32 on Saturday morning (03:30 CEST) in Kansas City. Portugal will play Croatia, featuring Josip Stanišić, the day before (01:00 CEST) in Toronto.

Following their celebrated opening victory over Croatia (4–2), England had to come to terms with a goalless draw against Ghana that drew heavy criticism. In their final match against Panama, who had already been eliminated, the Three Lions were now battling it out with the Croatians (see below) for top spot in the group. And even against this football minnows, the Three Lions found it harder going than expected – until Jude Bellingham broke the deadlock with his goal to make it 1–0. At the 2018 World Cup, the first meeting between the two nations had ended in a 6–1 win for England – this time, Panama put the favourites under pressure on several occasions. The bottom-placed side defended well and repeatedly launched dangerous counter-attacks. For England, Rashford was the only standout in the first half – Kane managed just nine touches of the ball. After the break, the Bayern striker initially failed to find the net in New Jersey, but then Bellingham scored the much-needed opener following a corner (62’). Just five minutes later, Kane headed a cross from Bellingham into the net to make it 2–0 – with his eleventh World Cup goal, the captain overtook legend Gary Lineker (ten goals) to become England’s all-time leading goalscorer at the World Cup. Panama’s consolation goal in stoppage time was ruled out for offside. England, having topped the group, will now face the DR Congo on Wednesday at 18:00 CEST.

Croatia needed to pick up points to secure a place in the Round of 32. After some dramatic moments against an already-qualified Ghana, the team including Bayern defender Josip Stanišić managed to do just that with a 2–1 win that ultimately secured second place behind England. Sucic put Croatia ahead after half an hour (31’), whilst Ghana were disappointing up until half-time. That changed after the restart: Ghana now dominated the match, creating chance after chance – and equalised: Luckassen slotted home (73’), though the celebrations were delayed by a VAR review lasting several minutes. A draw would have been enough for Croatia – but not to secure second place. So the Europeans rallied once more, with Vlasic heading home to make it 2–1 from a Modric cross, making Modric the oldest provider in World Cup history (40 years, 291 days). Croatia now face Portugal on Friday (01:00 CEST), whilst Ghana take on Colombia.

A draw was enough for both teams to progress even before the match began. For long stretches, it remained a rather unspectacular encounter between Algeria and Austria, who fielded Bayern defender Konrad Laimer. But the match became truly dramatic in the closing stages. The Austrians got off to the better start and Arnautovic opened the scoring (28’), only for Belghali (45’) to equalise just before half-time. After the break, former Bayern player Marcel Sabitzer made it 2–1 following excellent build-up play and a pass from Laimer – but once again, the lead didn’t last long: Mahrez levelled the scores at 2–2. The match went into stoppage time, and initially it looked as though both teams would see out the expected draw. Far from it: once again, the impressive Mahrez stunned Austria in the 93rd minute with a strike to make it 3–2, which would have meant elimination for Austria. But once again, Austria put together a move up front, with Kalajdzic heading home (96’) to make it 3–3 and secure a place in the Round of 32. There, the team will face title favourites Spain (Thursday, 21:00 CEST). Algeria take on Switzerland on Friday.