The 2026 FIFA World Cup has been one of the highest-scoring ones in decades, with some thrilling games. Some of the best games of this tournament have been classic matches with dramatic, memorable moments. This World Cup has had comebacks and late goal drama. These are some of the best FIFA World Cup 2026 matches to remember.
Cape Verde were supposed to be one of the whipping boys in this World Cup, but that didn’t turn out to be the case. The Cape Verde team shocked the world by drawing with Spain. Although they didn’t win any games, three draws were enough to get them through to the second round, where they played Argentina.
This second-round encounter turned out to be one of the most pulsating World Cup 2026 matches rather than an Argentina procession. Messi put Argentina ahead as expected in the first half. However, Cape Verde fought back and grabbed an equalizer in the second half with Deroy Duarte’s strike into the net.
That equalizer ensured the match went into a thrilling extra-time period. Lisandro Martinez restored Argentina’s lead, but a sensational, curling Sidny Lopes Cabral goal from outside the box made the score 2-2. However, a Diney own goal that bounced off his head made the final score Argentina 3 Cape Verde 2.
England returned to the Azteca Stadium for a third-round clash against Mexico that ended up being one of the best World Cup 2026 matches. For pure atmosphere and tension, this was certainly one of the best FIFA World Cup 2026 matches. Jude Bellingham produced a midfield masterclass in the first half by scoring twice in quick succession to put the Three Lions two up. However, Mexico pulled one back shortly before halftime.
The match took another twist when the referee sent off Jarell Quansah in the second half. Yet, England extended their lead when Harry Kane converted a penalty. Mexico kept on fighting and scored a second goal from the penalty spot. However, 10-man England held firm for the remainder of the match to seal a dramatic 3-2 victory.
Belgium pulled off one of the comebacks of the tournament in this pulsating second-round encounter. Two Senegal goals put the Africans 2-0 ahead. The Africans seemed to be heading for the third round as they remained two ahead by the 85th minute.
However, a Belgium goal scored in the 86th minute turned this match on its head. Then Youri Tielemans headed the ball into the net to score a late Belgium equalizer. Belgium secured victory by scoring a late penalty in extra time to wrap up one of the best comebacks seen in the World Cup 2026 matches.
This was another of the gripping Argentina World Cup 2026 matches, this time against Egypt in round three. Egypt went ahead in the first half when Yasser Ibrahim headed home. The ref gave Argentina a penalty soon after, but Messi duly missed it. Another Egypt goal in the second half left Argentina on the brink of defeat.
However, Argentina showed terrific battling resolve to pull off one of the tournament’s best comebacks thereafter. Christian Romero and Messi each scored within the space of a few minutes to make the score 2-2. Enzo Fernandez headed home a late, last-minute winning goal to book Argentina’s place in the quarter-final.
This Austria vs Algeria group game was one of the highest scoring FIFA World Cup 2026 matches that ebbed and flowed. Both teams needed a draw to make it through, which is exactly what they got in a goal feast of a game. Austria went ahead in the first half, but Algeria equalized in the 45th minute.
The second half of this match was one of the most thrilling seen in the 2026 World Cup. Austria regained their lead with a beautiful goal of the tournament contender scored from the edge of the box. Algeria hit back five minutes later when Riyad Mahrez scored. Mahrez had seemingly won the match for Algeria with a 93rd-minute goal. Yet, there was to be one more dramatic twist when Sasa Kalajdzic headed the ball into the back of Algeria’s net three minutes later for a late, late equalizer to make the final score 3-3.
England clinched the FIFA World Cup bronze medal after a pulsating third-place playoff game against France that put the final match to shame. The Three Lions ran rampant in the first half by scoring four goals against a shell-shocked French team. Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, and Ezri Konsa scored the goals during England’s first-half rout.
The match seemed over at halftime, but France woke up in the second half when Mbappé pulled one back for Les Bleus. France scored twice more to make the score 4-3, but then a late Saka penalty extended England’s lead. Dembélé pulled another back for France late on, but an even later goal from Jude Bellingham made the final score England 6 France 4.
So, we have certainly seen some memorable FIFA World Cup 2026 matches. The matches above were full of goals and dramatic twists. With games like those, the 2026 World Cup has enthralled soccer fanatics across the globe.
If you love sports, download Stadium Rant from the Apple App Store and join one of the fastest-growing social sports communities. Be sure to follow us on socials too — you can find all our profiles on our Linktree.
