Dec. 3, 2022 coverage of the World Cup

Our live World Cup coverage has ended for the day. We'll be back for tomorrow's matches!

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Brazilian soccer legend Pelé said Saturday that he’s “strong” and has “a lot of hope” as he continues his treatment for colon cancer.

He posted a statement on social media after the soccer world, consumed with the World Cup in Qatar, turned its attention to the hospitalized icon and sent well-wishes.

“My friends, I want to keep everyone calm and positive. I'm strong, with a lot of hope and I follow my treatment as usual. I want to thank the entire medical and nursing team for all the care I have received,” according to the statement on Pelé’s Instagram page.

“I have a lot of faith in God and every message of love I receive from you all over the world keeps me full of energy. And watch Brazil in the World Cup too!" 

The 82-year-old was admitted to the Albert Einstein Isreali Hospital in Sao Paulo on Tuesday for a “re-evaluation of the chemotherapy treatment over the colon cancer identified in September 2021," according to a statement from the medical center.

In December 2021, Pelé was hospitalized and underwent chemotherapy treatment. In September of that year, he underwent surgery to remove a tumor from his right colon, which doctors found during routine examinations.

Despite a wild ricochet that handed Australia a late-game goal and seemed to ignite the team's offense, Argentina fended off the Socceroos to nab a 2-1 win.

In the 35th minute, Lionel Messi scored his first-ever goal in the knockout rounds of the World Cup.

With the goal, 35-year-old Messi now moves past Diego Maradona (8) for second-most all-time for La Albiceleste at the World Cup. And he now only trails Gabriel Batistuta (10) for most all-time.

The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi also moves into a five-way tie in the World Cup Golden Boot race for the most goals scored in the tournament.

It was the Argentine star's 1,000th career appearance in international and club matches.

This victory keeps the dream of a World Cup trophy alive for Messi in what is likely his last appearance in the tournament.

Argentina will next face Netherlands in the quarterfinals on Friday. 

Forward Craig Goodwin launched a long shot toward Argentina's goal, sending the ball ricocheting off a defender and into the net as keeper Emiliano Martínez looked on.

This closes the gap, with Argentina leading 2-1 in the 77th minute.

The shot appeared to be veering wide off of Goodwin's foot, and the official scorer ultimately charged an own goal to Argentine midfielder Enzo Fernández. He had leaped up to intercept the shot and instead deflected it into his own net.

Argentina now leads the Socceroos by two, thanks to a goal by Julián Álvarez in the 57th minute.

The forward capitalized on a critical mistake from Australian keeper Matt Ryan.

With Argentina applying pressure and the Aussies simply trying to get the ball out of their own half, Ryan took a pass back from one of his defenders and needed one too many touches to handle it. Álvarez pounced, robbing the ball from his feet and simply rolling it into the empty net.

Argentina looks firmly in control of this match, though there's plenty of time left to play.

Brazilian soccer icon Pelé remains in stable condition after he was admitted to a hospital in Sao Paulo on Tuesday.

Pelé was hospitalized for a “re-evaluation of the chemotherapy treatment over colon cancer identified in September 2021,” the Albert Einstein Israeli Hospital said in a statement released Saturday.

“He is continuing the treatment and his health condition remains stable,” according to the statement. 

Worries over Pelé's health come as the World Cup knockout round is underway in Qatar. Stars like France's Kylian Mbappé, England's Harry Kane and Brazil's Vinicius Jr. have voiced well-wishes for the icon.

There was also a drone tribute in Doha that depicted Pelé's iconic No. 10 jersey and spelled out "Pelé get well soon," according to FIFA.

Pelé helped lead Brazil to three World Cup titles in 1958, 1962 and 1970.

The Aussies are looking for a key goal this next half as the Socceroos trail Argentina 1-0.

Meanwhile, Lionel Messi's squad looks to continue 🇦🇷 dominance over 🇦🇺 — his side has only ever lost two meetings between the countries.

Everywhere you go in Doha over the past week, you'll hear people talking about Lionel Messi.

Thousands of people – creating a sea of blue and white – have come to watch their hero in what is likely to be his last World Cup tournament.

It seems you don’t need to be from Argentina to be a fan of the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner.

“I get to see the man himself,” Belal Ahmed, who traveled from the US to watch Messi play, told CNN Sport.

“It took a while, the flight from the US to Saudi Arabia was about 12 hours. I had a layover there for 24 hours and then got here (Doha) two hours later.

“I’m here to see other games, but yeah, mainly to see Messi.”

Messi is a name that seems to bridge any language barrier, with fans coming over and chanting the forward's name as Ahmed spoke with CNN.

Messi is undoubtedly the most popular player among fans in Doha, with many trying to find a ticket to watch him in the flesh.

The World Cup is the only trophy not yet in the superstar's cabinet, and the 35-year-old is in the last-chance saloon at Qatar 2022.

He has the Argentine squad ahead 1-0 after the first half of its match against Australia Saturday.

Read more about Messi fandom in Qatar here.

Thanks to Lionel Messi, Argentina leads Australia 1-0 as we head into halftime.