Argentina captain, Lionel Messi, has pinpointed what his team did wrong against Cape Verde during both sides’ World Cup Round of 32 encounter.

The match ended 1-1 after 90 minutes at the Miami Stadium, but Argentina went on to win 3-2 in extra time.

Diney Borges’ own goal ensured Lionel Scaloni’s side eliminated the Blue Sharks from the competition.

Speaking at his post-match interview after the game, Messi admitted that Argentina couldn’t press Cape Verde properly during the encounter.

According to him, Scaloni’s side was also disjointed against the African side, and their lines were far apart.

“I think we couldn’t press them well, our lines were kind of far apart at times,” Messi said via FIFA’s website.

“When we wanted to jump from the defensive pivot, it was too far a distance for the center-backs, and we ended up a bit disjointed.

“They always had an extra man because we couldn’t match up, and that’s why they kept the ball and made us run, because we couldn’t press them properly.”

Former Black Stars captain Asamoah Gyan has delivered a candid assessment of Ghana’s performance following the team’s 1-0 defeat to Colombia, describing the display as below the expected standard and insisting the South Americans fully deserved their victory.

Ghana’s hopes of advancing at the FIFA World Cup came to an end after Colombia capitalised on a first-half opportunity to secure the only goal of the match, sending the Black Stars out of the tournament.

Reacting to the outcome, Ghana’s all-time leading scorer said the Black Stars lacked the intensity and attacking determination required in a match of such importance.

“Today’s performance was below average, no sense of urgency,” Gyan was quoted by Ghana sport platform Joy Online.

Gyan expressed concern about Ghana’s inability to commit enough players forward, particularly after falling behind, noting that the Black Stars struggled to pose sustained attacking threats inside the Colombian penalty area.

“We (Ghana) did not have men in the box.”

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He contrasted Ghana’s approach with that of Colombia, saying the South Americans maintained their attacking intent even after taking the lead instead of merely defending their advantage.

“Colombia were ahead but kept fighting to score more.”

Summing up the contest, the former Sunderland and Al Ain striker conceded that Colombia were the better side on the day.

“To summarise everything, Colombia deserved the win.”

Gyan’s comments add to the growing post-match analysis following Ghana’s exit from the tournament, with several players and football analysts pointing to the team’s struggles in the attacking third despite signs of improvement in defensive organisation under newly appointed head coach Carlos Queiroz.

Harry Kane became England’s all-time World Cup goalscorer but it was Jude Bellingham who inspired Thomas Tuchel’s side to top spot in Group L as he grabbed a goal and an assist to secure a 2-0 victory over Panama.

After a sluggish first half at MetLife Stadium, in which Panama caused England plenty of problems on the counter-attack, Bellingham took control of the game and proved to be the difference maker as he broke the deadlock with a smart finish (62) before teeing up Harry Kane (67) as he went out on his own as the Three Lions’ leading scorer at World Cups.

Bellingham’s performance impressed Sky Sports’ Gary Neville. “Bellingham is an absolute superstar and our best player in this game by a mile,” Neville said on ITV. “He is the one player who looks in-form, he looks fresh, he’s sharp and playing at the level you would expect.

While England, who were already guaranteed of a place in the knockout phase following Friday’s fixtures, dominated the ball in the first half, they struggled in the final third. With Croatia leading Ghana 1-0 and heading for top spot in the group, the pressure was on for Tuchel’s side to deliver after the break.

Not for the first time in his England career, it was Bellingham who delivered, poking home Bukayo Saka’s corner to find the breakthrough that was so desperately needed.

Bellingham then turned provider five minutes later as Kane headed home his inch perfect cross for his 11th World Cup goal to break Gary Lineker’s long-standing record as England sealed top spot to set what looks like a potential last-32 showdown with Senegal or DR Congo.