World Cup Nights: Messi's record, Kane's history and a wild Austria-Algeria. The last 32 start tonight

The curtain falls on the World Cup group stage. On the final night Argentina beat Jordan 3-1 and Lionel Messi, off the bench, becomes the first player to score in seven consecutive World Cup matches. England see off Panama 2-0 as Harry Kane passes Gary Lineker as the country's all-time World Cup top scorer, while Austria and Algeria settle for a crazy 3-3 that sends both through and dumps Iran out. An ageless Modric inspires Croatia past Ghana, Colombia hold Ronaldo's Portugal to a goalless draw and DR Congo pull off a historic comeback. Tonight, Italian time, the knockouts open with South Africa-Canada.

In Arlington, Texas, Argentina wrapped up the group stage with a perfect record: 3-1 against Jordan and top spot in Group J with three wins from three. Coach Lionel Scaloni left Lionel Messi on the bench, but the No. 10 came on after the break and stole the show: his goal was his sixth of the tournament, his 19th career World Cup strike and, above all, the first time anyone has scored in seven consecutive World Cup matches. Giovani Lo Celso and a Lautaro Martinez penalty had put Argentina in control before Mousa Al Tamari gave Jordan brief hope. In the simultaneous Group J game in Kansas City came the madness: Austria-Algeria 3-3. Arnautovic opened on 28', then Belghali, Sabitzer and Mahrez traded blows up to a 2-2 that suited everyone; but with time almost up Mahrez broke the truce to make it 3-2, before Sasa Kalajdzic rescued Austria deep in stoppage time with a 3-3 header. Both go through, Iran are out.

Group L belongs to England, but only after a hard slog. At the New York-New Jersey Stadium the Three Lions beat a stubborn, well-drilled Panama 2-0: Jude Bellingham broke the deadlock on 62' and Harry Kane wrapped it up on 67' from a Bellingham assist. For Kane it was a historic night: his 11th World Cup goal took him past Gary Lineker as England's all-time top scorer at the tournament. In Philadelphia, Croatia beat Ghana 2-1 to finish second: Petar Sucic rifled them ahead from distance on 31', Ghana levelled through Luckassen on 73', but on 83' Nikola Vlasic headed in a Luka Modric corner. At 40 years and 291 days, Modric became the oldest player ever to provide a World Cup assist. Croatia's win ended Scotland's hopes and confirmed their exit: coach Steve Clarke has resigned.

In Group K, Colombia took top spot with an intense 0-0 against Portugal. In Miami, Los Cafeteros kept Cristiano Ronaldo quiet, booed at every touch and barely fed: his only effort a long-range free kick straight at the keeper. The draw sends Portugal into second and a last-32 date with Croatia. In Atlanta, meanwhile, DR Congo produced the upset: behind to a superb Eldor Shomurodov goal on 10', the Leopards turned it around through a Yoane Wissa penalty on 68', a Fiston Mayele finish on 78' and Wissa again in stoppage time. It finished 3-1: their first-ever World Cup win, worth third place and a spot among the best third-placed teams. Waiting for them in the last 32: England.

Above all, it was a night of records. Messi extends his legend, Kane rewrites England's history, Modric defies the calendar. At the other end, some big names bowed out: Iran, undone by the Kansas City 3-3 a day after a VAR-disallowed goal against Egypt, with their coach calling them 'an unlucky team'; Scotland and Uruguay are gone too. The Miami stalemate, moreover, has postponed any dream of a Messi-versus-Ronaldo knockout showdown. England's Thomas Tuchel looks ahead with confidence: 'We will step up,' the German promised. 'The bigger the games get, the bigger we will get.'

With the group stage done, the real thing starts tonight. The first last-32 tie kicks off at 21:00 Italian time at the Los Angeles Stadium: South Africa-Canada opens the knockout bracket, with Bafana Bafana and Alphonso Davies' host nation chasing a first, historic place in the last 16. From tomorrow it heats up: Monday brings the heavyweights, with Brazil-Japan at 19:00, Germany-Paraguay at 22:30 and Netherlands-Morocco at 03:00. Further down the bracket the drama awaits: England will meet DR Congo, Portugal face Croatia, and Messi's Argentina take on the fairytale of Cape Verde, the smallest nation ever to come this far.

On we go, one night at a time. See you tomorrow at dawn.

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