FIFA World Cup 2026 Day 17: Messi Makes History, Kane Breaks England's Record & The Craziest 3-3 Draw Ever!

Day 17 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 was absolutely UNREAL. Six matches. Six stories. Records shattered, last-minute heartbreaks, a 52-year dream finally coming true, and the GOAT doing what GOATs do. Whether you watched it live or just want the full rundown before placing your next online sports betting pick — you're in the right place. Let's go!

Panama vs England — 0–2 | England Finally Woke Up — and Kane Made Every Minute Worth It

England's first half was honestly pretty boring. Panama keeper Orlando Mosquera wasn't even tested, and the crowd was getting restless.

Then the second half arrived — and England flipped the switch.

Jude Bellingham turned in a Bukayo Saka corner in the 62nd minute, sneaking a left-footed finish past the keeper. Five minutes later, Harry Kane powered home a header from a Bellingham cross — and just like that, HISTORY was made. Kane now has 11 World Cup goals, overtaking Gary Lineker as England's all-time top World Cup scorer. Bellingham also became the youngest Englishman in 60 years to score and assist in the same World Cup match.

Panama had a goal from José Fajardo ruled out for offside, and they ended the tournament as the only side out of all 48 teams to not score a single goal. Tough exit. England top Group L and head into the knockouts with serious momentum.

Croatia vs Ghana — 2–1 | Modric Does It Again at 40

A slow start, but this one came alive big time in the second half — and it had everything.

Petar Sucic fired an absolute rocket from 30 yards in the 31st minute to put Croatia ahead. Ghana pushed back, and Derrick Luckassen — yes, brother of Netherlands star Brian Brobbey — volleyed a 73rd-minute equaliser that needed a VAR review to be confirmed. The wait was nerve-wracking.

But then the old master stepped up. Luka Modric — 40 years old, still doing it — whipped in a corner and Nikola Vlasic ghosted away from his marker to head home the winner in the 83rd minute. Ice cold. With that assist, Modric became the oldest player since 1966 to provide a World Cup assist. A genuine living legend.

Croatia finished second in Group L. Ghana go through as one of the best third-placed teams.

Colombia vs Portugal — 0–0 | The Closest Thing to a Win Without Actually Winning

Zero goals — but this match was FAR from boring.

Colombia were the sharper side all game long. James Rodríguez pulled the strings in midfield, creating chances and keeping Portugal's defence busy all night. Diogo Costa had to make six saves to keep Portugal in the game. Ronaldo tried hard — a free-kick that went straight to the keeper, a goal ruled out for offside — but it just wasn't his night.

The biggest drama came in injury time. Davinson Sanchez headed in from a set piece and the stadium erupted — but VAR ruled it out for the tightest offside call you'll ever see. Pure heartbreak.

Colombia finished first in Group K with seven points. Portugal took second with five. Both advance, but their paths in the knockout round now go different ways — which also means no early Messi vs. Ronaldo showdown. We'll have to wait a little longer for that one.

Congo DR vs Uzbekistan — 3–1 | They Waited 52 Years for This Moment

Stop everything. This is the story of the tournament so far.

Congo DR — back at the World Cup for the first time in 52 years — were trailing 1-0 after Eldor Shomurodov put Uzbekistan ahead in just the 10th minute. It looked like heartbreak was coming. But Yoane Wissa had other ideas.

Wissa converted a penalty in the 68th minute, then added another in stoppage time. Fiston Mayele made it three in the 78th minute. Congo DR won 3-1 and booked their spot in the Round of 32 for the very first time in their history. Players were in tears at the final whistle. The fans were going absolutely crazy. Football at its most emotional — this is why we all love this game.

Algeria vs Austria — 3–3 | Two Stoppage-Time Goals. Both Teams Through. Absolute Chaos

This. Match. Was. INSANE.

Six goals. Leads changing hands. A goal off the post. Two stoppage-time strikes — one from each side. This was the kind of match that makes football betting so thrillingly unpredictable.

Riyad Mahrez — 35 years old — scored twice to become Algeria's oldest ever World Cup goalscorer. Rafik Belghali weaved through three Austrian defenders and smashed one in to pull Algeria level in dramatic fashion. Marcel Sabitzer fired in a screamer from outside the box for Austria. Then, just when you thought it was done — Sasa Kalajdzic equalised in the dying seconds of stoppage time to make it 3-3, and BOTH teams qualified for the Round of 32.

Algeria vs Austria became the first World Cup match in history to have a go-ahead goal AND a game-tying goal both scored in stoppage time. Iran was eliminated as a result.

Pure. Football. Madness.

Jordan vs Argentina — 1–3 | The GOAT Steps Off the Bench & Scores — AGAIN

The whole world was watching this one. Would Messi play? Would he score? You already know the answer.

Coach Scaloni kept Messi on the bench for the first half, and Argentina barely missed him. Giovani Lo Celso — in his first World Cup start — curled in a gorgeous direct free kick in the 19th minute. Lautaro Martínez then converted a penalty in the 31st minute after a Jordan foul in the box.

Jordan pulled one back through Mousa Tamari to make it 2-1 and gave their fans a brief moment of hope. Then Messi came on. And scored. Of course he did.

That goal made Messi the first player in history to score in seven consecutive World Cup tournaments. 19 career World Cup goals. A perfect group stage — three wins from three for Argentina. The GOAT just keeps rewriting the record books.

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The Round of 32 Is Set — These Are the Matches to Bet On

The group stage is done. Every match from here is knockout football — one bad day and you go home.

Some of the biggest clashes coming up in the FIFA World Cup 2026 knockouts include England vs Congo DR, Argentina vs Cape Verde, Portugal vs Croatia, Colombia vs Ghana, France vs Sweden, Brazil vs Japan, and USA vs Bosnia and Herzegovina. The bracket is wide open, and every result is going to be massive for online football betting fans across Malaysia.

Don't just watch — be part of the action. Winbox is the best platform for sport betting online in Malaysia, giving you live streaming, competitive odds, and promotions that no other platform comes close to. The knockout stage is where legends are made — and your winning picks could be made right here.