It is now or never for Lionel Messi at the World Cup.
The Argentina master — the greatest player of all time in many people’s eyes — heads into Sunday’s clash with Mexico in Qatar battling to keep his dream of winning the famous trophy alive.
Messi has won near-enough everything in his remarkable career, and at 35 there is no suggestion he is ready to hang up his boots entirely just yet.
But on the international stage, his star is fading. He has already admitted that he will not have it in him to play in the next World Cup in the US, Mexico and Canada in 2026. So, this tournament represents a final chance to win the trophy he craves above all others.
Group C was expected to be easy for Argentina, but a shock 2-1 defeat to Saudi Arabia — one of the biggest World Cup upsets of all time, and a result that earned the entire Middle Eastern kingdom a national holiday — has put them on the brink of an ignominious exit.
Only a win against Mexico at Lusail Stadium is likely to be satisfactory, with another tough test against Poland, and one of Messi’s Ballon d’Or heir apparents, Robert Lewandowski, to come next week.
Before that, Group D sets the stage for the day, with Australia looking to bounce back from their opening 4-1 defeat to holders France against a Tunisia side aiming for a first-ever knockout-stage appearance.
Then Poland and Saudi Arabia meet at the Education City Stadium, where — against all odds — the Saudis can clinch a knockout berth.
France are back in action too, taking on a Denmark side who were tipped by many as potential dark horses for this tournament.
Check back here throughout the day as the action unfolds, and The Sporting News will bring you all the latest results.
MORE: Complete World Cup match schedule with dates and times
World Cup matches today
As we get to the business end of the tournament, knockout-stage spots are up for grabs, while plane tickets home will also be booked. Here’s how today’s action shapes up.
Saturday, November 26
| Group | Match | Time (ET / GMT) | Stadium |
|---|---|---|---|
| D | Tunisia vs Australia | 5 a.m. /10 a.m. | Al Janoub |
| C | Poland vs Saudi Arabia | 8 a.m. /1 p.m. | Education City |
| D | France vs Denmark | 11 a.m. / 4 p.m. | Stadium 974 |
| B | Argentina vs Mexico | 2:00 p.m. / 7:00 p.m. | Lusail |
World Cup 2022 matches tomorrow (Sunday, Nov. 27)
The second set of group games are now well underway, with some teams looking to secure passage to the knockout stages, whilst others will need a win to keep their hopes of progression alive.
Japan take on Costa Rica on Sunday, looking to build on their famous opening win over Germany, while Belgium and Morocco will clash in Group F.
Canada and Croatia both have work to do if they are to move forward into the knockouts, and they meet at the Khalifa International Stadium in the penultimate match of the day.
But the big one is at Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, where two of the giants of international football clash, with contrasting opening fortunes to compare.
While Spain ran riot in a 7-0 thrashing of Costa Rica, Germany were on the end of that humbling by Japan and now face the prospect of being dumped out, by one of their closest rivals.
| Time (ET) | Match | Group | Stadium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 a.m. | Japan vs Costa Rica | E | Ahmad Bin Ali |
| 8 a.m. | Belgium vs Morocco | F | Al Thumama |
| 11 a.m. | Croatia vs Canada | F | Khalifa International |
| 2 p.m. | Spain vs Germany | E | Al Bayt |
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