Contents
The groups to watch
Group J – The headliner
Argentina vs. Algeria kicks off on June 16 – and it’s Lionel Messi’s sixth World Cup campaign. Argentina are the defending champions and one of the clear favourites. Algeria are no pushovers but Messi and company should have enough to advance. The real test comes later.
Group L – The grudge match
England vs. Croatia on June 17 is a rematch nobody on either side has forgotten. Croatia beat England 2-1 in extra time in the 2018 semi-final in Moscow. England have Harry Kane, one of the best strikers in the world, and a squad deep enough to go far. Croatia still have Luka Modric, who is somehow 40 years old and still doing Luka Modric things.
Group H – Spain’s coronation?
Spain are the tournament favourites – the Opta supercomputer puts them at around 16% across 25,000 simulations, the highest of any team. Their group has Saudi Arabia and World Cup debutants Cape Verde alongside Uruguay, who will test them. But Spain look formidable. Young, technical, and battle-hardened from winning Euro 2024.
Group I – The france question
France have Kylian Mbappe, who many expect to win the Golden Boot. Their group includes Senegal, Iraq, and Norway. They should advance easily. The real question is whether France can hold it together in the knockouts, where they’ve stumbled before despite the talent.
Group F – Don’t sleep on the Netherlands
The Netherlands open against Croatia in what could decide Group F early. Louis van Gaal’s side are built to be awkward against anyone. Croatia, despite the age in the squad, are tournament veterans. This is one of the tactically interesting groups.
Opening Day – June 11
Mexico 2-0 South Africa (FT) – Group A
What a way to open a World Cup. 80,824 fans packed into the Azteca, Shakira had just performed on that same pitch, and Mexico delivered – though the match descended into something nobody quite expected by the end.
Julián Quiñones scored the first goal of the 2026 World Cup in the 9th minute, intercepting a poor touch from Sithole near the South Africa penalty area and finishing calmly. The earliest opening goal of a World Cup since 2006. Erik Lira with the assist.
It stayed 1-0 at the break, and then the second half went a bit mad.
South Africa’s Sithole was shown a straight red on 49 minutes. Mexico doubled their lead on 67 when Raúl Jiménez, the man who had never scored at a World Cup across all his previous appearances, headed home from a Roberto Alvarado assist. He was in tears. The Azteca went delirious.
Then came the chaos. Zwane got a second red for South Africa on 84 minutes – a decision that had pundits split, with Ally McCoist calling it “extremely harsh.” Barely six minutes later, Mexico’s Cesar Montes was also sent off for denying a goalscoring opportunity, another contentious call. Three straight reds. More red cards than goals.
Three players dismissed. VAR controversy. An emotional debut World Cup goal. A chaotic, memorable opener – and Mexico top of Group A with three points.
Goals: Quiñones (9′), Jiménez (67′) Red cards: Sithole (49′), Zwane (84′) – South Africa; Montes (90+2′) – Mexico
South Korea vs. Czechia – Group A – 10 p.m. ET
If Mexico vs South Africa was chaotic, this one was tense, well-played, and decided by a proper comeback.
Czechia took the lead on 59 minutes through Ladislav Krejčí – the same man who scored the crucial goal that sent Czechia to this tournament via the play-off against Denmark. South Korea looked shaky. Then Hwang In-beom equalised on 67 minutes with a goal built on a 25-pass sequence, one of the longest passing moves to produce a goal in World Cup history. He also assisted the winner. The substitute Oh Hyeon-gyu came off the bench and headed home on 80 minutes to complete the turnaround.
Son Heung-min didn’t score but was everywhere – and became only the second South Korean to appear at four separate World Cups, joining current manager Hong Myung-bo. Kim Seung-gyu made a stunning late save to deny an equaliser and keep the clean sheet intact when it mattered most.
South Korea come from behind to win. Group A is already fascinating: Mexico on 3 points, South Korea on 3, South Africa and Czechia on 0. Both losers meet each other next, on June 18.
Goals: Krejčí (59′) – Czechia; Hwang In-beom (67′), Oh Hyeon-gyu (80′) – South Korea
9' Quiñones
Day 2 – June 12
Canada 1-1 Bosnia and Herzegovina – Group B
Michael Bublé and Alanis Morissette performed before kick-off at Toronto Stadium. Canada then proceeded to go a goal down and look like they might ruin the party entirely.
Jovo Lukić headed Bosnia in front on 21 minutes and Les Rouges couldn’t find a way through for the best part of an hour. Then Jesse Marsch brought Cyle Larin off the bench, and 121 seconds later Larin had finished a sharp move assisted by Akinpelu to make it 1-1. Canada’s first ever World Cup point, on home soil. The Azteca moment for Toronto – the whole stadium erupted. It was deserved too, with Canada’s xG edging Bosnia’s across the 90.
A draw both sides will probably take, but Canada will feel they let two points slip. Bosnia’s Edin Džeko, 40 years old, looked dangerous in patches.
Goals: Lukić (21′) – Bosnia; Larin (78′) – Canada
USA 4-1 Paraguay – Group D
The Americans played the best first half they may have ever produced at a World Cup. An own goal from Bobadilla in the 7th minute – the fastest goal the USMNT have ever scored at a World Cup. Then Balogun doubled it on 30 after a Pulisic feed. Then Balogun again in first-half stoppage time. 3-0 at half-time, SoFi Stadium absolutely rocking in Los Angeles.
The second half was messier. Paraguay pulled one back through Mauricio on 73 minutes when the US defence switched off. Pulisic went off injured, though reports post-match suggest he’s fine. Gio Reyna then came off the bench and curled a fourth into the far corner in stoppage time with the outside of his right boot, the kind of goal that makes a country fall in love with a player all over again.
4-1. The USMNT made a statement. Group D is shaping up to be wide open.
Goals: Bobadilla OG (7′), Balogun (30′, 45+’), Reyna (90+8′) – USA; Mauricio (73′) – Paraguay
Day 3 – June 13
Qatar 1-1 Switzerland – Group B
Switzerland dominated and hit the post in the first half. Then Breel Embolo gave them the lead from the penalty spot on 17 minutes. They had 23 shots. They had xG to spare. And then in stoppage time, Boualem Khoukhi headed home for Qatar to steal a draw that nobody in that stadium saw coming. Last-gasp drama, a point for the defending hosts, and Switzerland left kicking themselves.
Goals: Embolo (17′ pen) – Switzerland; Khoukhi (90+’) – Qatar
Brazil 1-1 Morocco – Group C
The match everyone had circled on the schedule, and it delivered a tense, hard-fought draw rather than a classic. Brazil and Morocco battled to a 1-1 draw in what was easily the most anticipated Group C fixture. Morocco showed why they’re no longer anyone’s surprise package – they came to New Jersey with a defensive structure and an attacking threat. Brazil left frustrated, still searching for that fluency Vinicius Jr and company are supposed to provide.
Goals: Vinícius Júnior (32′) – Brazil; Ismael Saibari (21′) – Morocco
Haiti 0-1 Scotland – Group C
Scotland’s first World Cup in 28 years. The weight of that history was everywhere – in the faces of the players, in the commentary, in every social media post from the travelling support in Boston.
John McGinn scored in the 28th minute, finishing a rebound after Che Adams was denied following a long ball from Grant Hanley. Scotland held firm for the rest of the match. Haiti had possession but couldn’t find a way through. 1-0. Three points. Scotland top of Group C. Twenty-eight years of hurt, and now they have something to build on.
Goals: McGinn (28′) – Scotland
Australia 2-0 Türkiye – Group D
The day’s biggest stunner. Australia took an early lead on a counter through a brilliant first touch and finish by Nestory Irankunda in the 27th minute, then doubled it in the 75th through Connor Metcalfe from just outside the box. Türkiye, for all their talent, couldn’t find a way back. Australia join the USA on three points at the top of Group D. That group is now one of the tournament’s most fascinating.
Goals: Irankunda (27′), Metcalfe (75′) – Australia
Day 4 – June 14
Germany 7-1 Curaçao – Group E
Germany needed a statement. They got one.
Felix Nmecha opened the scoring just six minutes in. Germany were stunned when Livano Comenencia levelled – Curaçao’s first ever World Cup goal. For a few minutes, a nation of 160,000 people – the smallest ever to reach and score at a World Cup – held the tournament to ransom. Then Germany remembered what they were supposed to be doing. A Nico Schlotterbeck header and a Havertz penalty restored Germany’s advantage before half-time. Musiala added a fourth, Brown a fifth, Undav a sixth, and Havertz completed his brace in the 88th. 7-1. The redemption arc is well and truly underway.
Goals: Nmecha (6′), Schlotterbeck (38′), Havertz (45+5′ pen, 88′), Musiala (47′), Brown (68′), Undav (78′) – Germany; Comenencia (21′) – Curaçao
Netherlands 2-2 Japan – Group F
Game of the tournament so far. Van Dijk opened the scoring in the 51st minute. Nakamura equalised in the 57th. Summerville put the Dutch back in front in the 64th with a strike to the far corner. Then in the 89th minute, Ito took a corner, Ogawa headed towards goal, and the ball was deflected by Kamada into the net. Japan, yet again at a World Cup, refuse to be beaten. A draw that feels like a win for Japan and a loss for the Netherlands.
Goals: Van Dijk (51′), Summerville (64′) – Netherlands; Nakamura (57′), Kamada (89′) – Japan
Ivory Coast 1-0 Ecuador – Group E
A brutal game to watch for Ecuador fans. Ivory Coast barely created anything for 89 minutes. Then Amad came off the bench, received the ball well outside the box, drove in, and curled a sensational effort past the Ecuadorian goalkeeper in the 90th minute. Three points, zero mercy. Ivory Coast join Germany at the top of Group E.
Goals: Amad (90′) – Ivory Coast
Sweden 5-1 Tunisia – Group F
Two goals from Yasin Ayari, plus strikes from Alexander Isak, Viktor Gyökeres and Mattias Svanberg. The first time since 1938 that Sweden have scored five in a World Cup match. Tunisia were overwhelmed. Sweden lead Group F alongside Japan on one point each, with the Netherlands just behind on one. That group is going to be fascinating.
Goals: Ayari (2), Isak, Gyökeres, Svanberg – Sweden; one for Tunisia.
Day 5 – June 15
Monday belonged to the underdogs. Every single match ended in a draw, and the biggest story of the day was a 40-year-old goalkeeper from a nation of half a million people.
Spain 0-0 Cape Verde – Group H
The shock of the tournament so far. Spain – reigning European champions, pre-tournament favourites, 27 shots over 90 minutes – could not score against World Cup debutants Cape Verde. The reason: Vozinha.
The 40-year-old Cape Verde goalkeeper made save after save, many at close range, tipping, blocking, and throwing himself in front of everything Spain threw at him. Luis de la Fuente brought Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo and Nico Williams off the bench with 20 minutes left. Still nothing. Cape Verde held on. Vozinha reportedly gained 5 million social media followers overnight. Spain are shaken. Group H, which looked like a procession, is suddenly wide open.
Goals: None
Belgium 1-1 Egypt – Group G
Egypt were 92 years into a wait for their first World Cup win. After 65 minutes against Belgium, it looked like it was finally coming. Emam Ashour had opened the scoring in the 19th minute with a stunning 20-yard drive, set up by Mohamed Salah, and Belgium simply could not find a way through. Then Jesse Garcia brought Romelu Lukaku off the bench. Twenty-two seconds later, Lukaku’s run into the box forced Thomas Meunier’s cross to be turned into his own net by Mohamed Hany. The wait continues.
Lukaku then headed over from eight yards with the goal gaping in the 87th minute. Belgium will feel they should have won it. Egypt will feel robbed.
Goals: Ashour (19′) – Egypt; Hany OG (66′) – Belgium
Saudi Arabia 1-1 Uruguay – Group H
Saudi Arabia took the lead through Abdulelah Al-Amri just before half-time. Uruguay dominated possession (67% to 33%), had 28 shots to Saudi Arabia’s seven, and managed just one shot on target. That one shot mattered: Maximiliano Araújo equalised on 80 minutes. Uruguay left with a point that flattered Saudi Arabia but frustrated them enormously. Group H, after two games, has all four sides level on one point each.
Goals: Al-Amri (41′) – Saudi Arabia; Araújo (80′) – Uruguay
Iran 2-2 New Zealand – Group G
The most politically charged match of the tournament so far, played at a raucous Los Angeles Stadium with protests outside, competing flags inside, and added context from the US-Iran peace deal signed days earlier. The football matched the occasion.
Elijah Just opened the scoring in the 7th minute, set up by Chris Wood. Iran equalised in the 32nd through Ramin Rezaeian. Just restored New Zealand’s lead in the 54th – again, Wood the provider, making him the first New Zealand player to record multiple assists in a World Cup match. Then Rezaeian set up Mohammad Mohebbi for Iran’s second on 64 minutes. Neither side could find a winner. Group G is now completely deadlocked – all four teams on one point.
Just became the first Motherwell player ever to score at a World Cup. That sentence is real.
Goals: Just (7′, 54′) – New Zealand; Rezaeian (32′), Mohebbi (64′) – Iran
Day 6 – June 16
The night the tournament truly announced itself. Messi, Mbappe, and Haaland all scored on the same evening. Records fell. Kansas City looked like Buenos Aires.
France 3-1 Senegal – Group I
France were dire for the first 45 minutes. Senegal had the better of it, Jackson hit the post, Sarr blazed over from six yards out in first-half stoppage time – a miss that proved decisive. France produced an xG of 0.02 in that first half. Zero shots on target.
Then Deschamps pushed Olise centrally at half-time and everything changed. In the 66th minute, Olise threaded a defence-splitting pass through to Mbappe, who timed his run perfectly and slotted home. France’s all-time leading scorer, level with Giroud on 57. Then Barcola came off the bench and finished coolly from Rabiot’s pass on 82 to make it 2-0. Mbaye pulled one back for Senegal in stoppage time with a fine individual goal, but Mbappe had the last word – a thundering long-range finish in the 96th minute, his 58th France goal, his 14th World Cup goal. France record scorer. The tournament is on notice.
Goals: Mbappe (66′, 90+6′), Barcola (82′) – France; Mbaye (90+5′) – Senegal
Norway 4-1 Iraq – Group I
Haaland’s first World Cup. He has waited for this. He did not disappoint.
Norway took the lead in the 29th minute – Møller Wolfe’s low cross, Haaland at the back post to poke it home. Iraq hit back with a stunning Aymen Hussein header on 39, a sucker punch from a counter. Four minutes later, Iraq’s goalkeeper fumbled a weak back pass straight to Haaland, who tapped into an empty net. Brutal. Østigård headed home an Ødegaard corner on 76 to put it to bed, and Hussein then turned a Haaland cross into his own net in stoppage time for a cruel 4-1 final. Haaland now leads all scorers at the tournament.
Goals: Haaland (29′, 43′), Østigård (76′), Hussein OG (90+’) – Norway; Hussein (39′) – Iraq
Argentina 3-0 Algeria – Group J
History. All of it.
Messi’s 200th appearance for Argentina. His first career World Cup hat-trick. And by the end of the night, he had tied Miroslav Klose’s all-time World Cup goals record of 16. At 38.
The first was a long-range screamer in the 17th minute. Algeria were game throughout – they won the possession battle – but Messi is operating in a dimension no one else can reach. His second, a tap-in from a Mac Allister shot on 60. His third, a curled effort into the bottom corner on 76, at which point the crowd of Argentina supporters who had taken over Kansas City’s Arrowhead Stadium collectively lost their minds. He then came off to a standing ovation, job done.
Mbappe on 14 World Cup goals. Messi on 16. Both in the tournament. The record is tied. Something will give.
Goals: Messi (17′, 60′, 76′) – Argentina
Austria 3-1 Jordan – Group J
Jordan’s first-ever World Cup match. Romano Schmid gave Austria the lead in the 21st minute with a stunning long-range strike – Austria’s first World Cup goal since 1998. Jordan equalised with an equally brilliant effort on 50 through Ali Olwan, curled in off the far post after cutting inside. Jordan’s first-ever World Cup goal. A famous moment.
Then the chaos. Austria were awarded a goal through Arnautovic but VAR ruled it out for handball in the build-up. Eventually, a Jordan handball in the box in the dying minutes gave Arnautovic his penalty. He stepped up and rolled it home, becoming Austria’s oldest-ever World Cup scorer. 3-1. Jordan exit with their heads held high. They were not embarrassed. Group J: Argentina on 3, Austria on 3, with Algeria and Jordan yet to get off the mark.
Goals: Schmid (21′), own goal (set-pieces), Arnautovic (pen, 90+’) – Austria; Olwan (50′) – Jordan
Day 7 – June 17
The group stage finished its first round of fixtures. All 48 teams have now played once.
Portugal 1-1 DR Congo – Group K
Ronaldo’s sixth World Cup. He was 41 years old and swarmed by Congo defenders all night, largely ineffective. João Neves put Portugal ahead in the 6th minute, the youngest Portugal player ever to score at a World Cup. Congo, unfazed, equalised through Yoane Wissa just before half-time with a fine individual goal. Portugal pushed for a winner and couldn’t find one. Ronaldo trudged off at the final whistle visibly frustrated.
Congo – making just their second World Cup appearance – leave Houston with a point. Portugal’s Robert Martínez will have questions to answer before the next match.
Goals: Neves (6′) – Portugal; Wissa (45+5′) – DR Congo
England 4-2 Croatia – Group L
The rematch. Eight years on from the semi-final in Moscow. And England exacted revenge in the most chaotic, entertaining way possible.
Kane put England ahead from the penalty spot in the 12th minute, then doubled it on 42. Croatia hit back immediately – Baturina pulled one back on 36, then Musa equalised in first-half stoppage time. 2-2 at the break. England fans in Dallas having heart palpitations.
Then Bellingham. Straight out of the tunnel at half-time, 47th minute, England back in front. Rashford sealed it on 85. 4-2. England’s biggest win over Croatia in their history. Tuchel’s debut as England manager could not have gone much better. The defence was a mess but Kane, Bellingham, and Rashford were exactly what they need to be.
Croatia’s Modric, 40, started and played the full 90. Whatever you think of the result, that is still a remarkable thing to watch.
Goals: Kane (12′ pen, 42′), Bellingham (47′), Rashford (85′) – England; Baturina (36′), Musa (45+5′) – Croatia
Ghana 1-0 Panama – Group L
Thomas Partey wasn’t there – a Canadian judge rejected his visa application while he awaits trial in the UK – and Ghana managed without him. It was tight, scrappy, and goalless for the best part of 95 minutes. Then Caleb Yirenkyi pounced on a cross in the 90+5th minute and slammed it home. Ghana end the day on three points. Panama, in only their second-ever World Cup, have it all to do.
Goals: Yirenkyi (90+5′) – Ghana
Colombia 3-1 Uzbekistan – Group K
Uzbekistan became the 48th team to play their first match at this World Cup and made it memorable. Fayzullaev scored a stunning blocked-shot rebound in the 60th minute to equalise after Daniel Muñoz had put Colombia ahead on 40 – Uzbekistan’s first-ever World Cup goal, celebrated like a title.
Colombia were too much overall. Luis Díaz scored his first ever World Cup goal on 65, a moment he’ll remember for life, and substitute Campaz tapped in a cross in the 90+9th minute to wrap up 3-1. Colombia top Group K. Portugal are second after their draw – the group is already more interesting than expected.
Goals: Muñoz (40′), Díaz (65′), Campaz (90+9′) – Colombia; Fayzullaev (60′) – Uzbekistan
Day 8 – June 18
A day of giant wins, goalkeeping errors, and a late flurry in LA. Mexico become the first team to reach the Round of 32.
Czechia 1-1 South Africa – Group A
Both sides needed a win badly. Neither got one. Sadilek gave Czechia a sixth-minute lead – the fastest goal of the tournament so far – after a canny first-time touch released him through on goal. South Africa pushed and probed but couldn’t find an equaliser for most of the match.
Then a handball in the box with seven minutes to go. Mokoena stepped up, sent the keeper the wrong way, and wheeled away in celebration – also, per reports, in tears, his grandfather having passed away before the tournament. He’d dedicated the goal to him before the game. Football.
Both sides sit on one point in Group A with one match left. Both need a result.
Goals: Sadilek (6′) – Czechia; Mokoena pen (83′) – South Africa
Switzerland 4-1 Bosnia and Herzegovina – Group B
Goalless, tense, and going nowhere for 74 minutes. Bosnia’s goalkeeper Vasilj was extraordinary, making save after save including a brilliant stop to deny Embolo at close range. Switzerland were utterly frustrated.
Then Yakin sent on Manzambi and Vargas and everything changed. Manzambi, moments after coming on, hit an absolute volley to break the deadlock – one of the goals of the tournament. Vargas made it two on 84. Bosnia were reduced to ten men when Muharemović was sent off for serious foul play. Manzambi got his second on 90, then substitute Mahmic – barely a minute after coming on himself – hammered in a volley of his own for a brilliant consolation. Then Xhaka slotted a penalty in the 90+7th to make it 4-1.
Five goals after the 74th minute. Switzerland through to the Round of 32 on four points. Group B is wide open with Bosnia and Qatar still needing results.
Goals: Manzambi (74′, 90′), Vargas (84′), Xhaka pen (90+7′) – Switzerland; Mahmic (90+3′) – Bosnia
Canada 6-0 Qatar – Group B
Forty years. Three World Cups. Zero wins. That all ended on Thursday in Vancouver.
Canada ran out 6-0 winners, Jonathan David scoring a hat-trick in front of a sold-out BC Place that was overwhelmingly red and delirious all evening. Larin opened it on 16, David added the second on 29 and his second just before half-time to make it 3-0. Qatar were reduced to nine men in the second half – Homam Ahmed was sent off on 33 and Madibo got his marching orders on 51 after a horror challenge on Koné that left the midfielder stretchered off with an apparent broken leg, a horrible moment in an otherwise joyful night. Saliba bent a free-kick in on 64, Al Manai put through his own net on 75, and David completed his hat-trick in stoppage time.
Canada’s first ever World Cup win. Jonathan David’s night to remember. Koné’s injury the shadow over it all.
Goals: Larin (16′), David (29′, 45+3′, 90+2′), Saliba (64′), Manai OG (75′) – Canada
Mexico 1-0 South Korea – Group A
Mexico become the first team to reach the Round of 32. The winner came from a moment of goalkeeping disaster – Kim Seung-gyu came rushing off his line for a looping ball, crashed into his own defender, and spilled it at Luis Romo’s feet, who lifted it into the net on 50. Not pretty. It was enough.
South Korea had the better xG on the night (0.69 to 0.48), threatened late through Cho and Yang, and were denied by two stunning reaction saves. They go into their final group game knowing they must beat South Africa to have any hope.
Mexico are through. They’ll face a third-place finisher in the Round of 32, on home soil. The country is celebrating.
Goals: Romo (50′) – Mexico
Day 9 – June 19
USA 2-0 Australia – Group D
No Pulisic. No problem. The United States put in another dominant first half to beat Australia 2-0 in Seattle and book their place in the Round of 32 with a game to spare.
Pulisic was ruled out with a calf injury, Ricardo Pepi starting in his place. It didn’t matter. Balogun torched down the left, whipped a low cross in, and Australia defender Cameron Burgess turned it into his own net in the 11th minute – the second consecutive USMNT match that started with an opponent own goal. Alex Freeman, 21 years old and son of a Super Bowl champion, then headed in a deflected Dest shot on 43 after a VAR review confirmed he was onside. 2-0 at half-time, and the US defended comfortably after the break.
The US have now won back-to-back games at a World Cup for the first time since 1930. They top Group D. They’ll face a third-place team in the Round of 32 on July 1 in Santa Clara.
Goals: Burgess OG (11′), Freeman (43′) – USA
Scotland 0-1 Morocco – Group C
Scotland had already beaten Haiti. Morocco had drawn with Brazil. This was the match that would define which of them led Group C heading into the final round.
Ismael Saibari scored in the 2nd minute, a clinical strike from the edge of the box barely 70 seconds in. Scotland pushed for the whole match and couldn’t find a way through. A defeat that puts them in a difficult position heading into the final game against Brazil.
Goals: Saibari (2′) – Morocco
Brazil 3-0 Haiti – Group C
A statement from Brazil after their draw with Morocco. Matheus Cunha scored twice in the first half – on 23 and 36 minutes – with Vinícius Júnior adding a third just before half-time, curling into the far corner one-on-one after Haiti’s goalkeeper spilled a shot. Brazil move top of Group C. Haiti are eliminated.
Goals: Cunha (23′, 36′), Vinícius Júnior (45+3′) – Brazil
Türkiye 0-1 Paraguay – Group D
A stunning result that sealed Türkiye’s elimination. Matías Galarza scored in the 2nd minute with a stunning 25-yard finish into the bottom corner – the fastest goal in World Cup 2026 history at that point. Türkiye pushed but never found a way through. Miguel Almirón added a second in first-half stoppage time after a VAR review to confirm 2-0. Wait – confirmed final is 1-0, with only Galarza’s goal standing after Almirón’s was ruled out.
Paraguay through. Türkiye eliminated. Group D is locked: USA top, Australia second, Paraguay third, Türkiye out.
Goals: Galarza (2′) – Paraguay
Day 10 – June 20
A day of Group E and F fireworks. Germany dig deep. The Dutch go to town.
Netherlands 5-1 Sweden – Group F
The Dutch came into this needing to bounce back after drawing with Japan. They did not hold back. Brian Brobbey, starting up front, scored twice in the first half – the quickest brace by any Dutch player at a World Cup since 1974. Cody Gakpo then added two more in a seven-minute burst to make it 4-0. Sweden, who had beaten Tunisia 5-1 just days earlier, suddenly found themselves on the receiving end of the same scoreline. Anthony Elanga pulled one back on 59, but Summerville completed the rout from range late on. 5-1. Netherlands top Group F. Cody Gakpo scored the 100th goal of the 2026 World Cup. Tunisia are eliminated.
Goals: Brobbey (2), Gakpo (2), Summerville – Netherlands; Elanga – Sweden
Germany 2-1 Ivory Coast – Group E
This one felt like it was slipping away from Germany. Ivory Coast, disciplined and dangerous on the break, took the lead through Franck Kessié on 30 minutes, slotting home after Amad’s frantic close-range effort was blocked. Germany had a Pavlovic header ruled out for a foul on the goalkeeper. Half-time: Germany trailing, looking shaky.
Then Deniz Undav, the substitute, arrived. He headed in Amiri’s cross on 68 to level, ghosting between two defenders in the box. Germany pressed for a winner. Ivory Coast had chances to kill them on the counter – Adingra blazed over with the goal gaping. And then, deep into stoppage time, Undav trapped an Nmecha through-ball and slotted calmly past the keeper. 2-1. Germany are through. Undav – the super sub – has now equalled Roger Milla’s record for most goals scored from the bench at a single World Cup.
Goals: Undav (68′, 90+’) – Germany; Kessié (30′) – Ivory Coast
Ecuador 0-0 Curaçao – Group E
The result of the tournament for Curaçao. Goalkeeper Eloy Room made 15 saves – the most by any goalkeeper in 90 minutes of World Cup football since records began in 1966. A clean sheet. A point. For a nation of 160,000 people making their first ever World Cup appearance, it’s an extraordinary moment. Ecuador are frustrated and in trouble in Group E.
Goals: None
Japan 4-0 Tunisia – Group F
Tunisia are going home. Japan made sure of it emphatically. Kamada got an early goal, Ueda scored twice, Ito added a fourth. A statement win that takes Japan to 4 points and all but secures their place in the Round of 32. Tunisia’s manager had already been sacked after their 5-1 loss to Sweden. The replacement couldn’t change anything.
Goals: Kamada, Ueda (2), Ito – Japan
Day 11 – June 21
Spain came roaring back. Egypt made history. Cape Verde did it again.
Spain 4-0 Saudi Arabia – Group H
After the shock of being held 0-0 by Cape Verde, Spain came to Atlanta with something to prove. They delivered.
Lamine Yamal, 18, started for the first time at this tournament – his hamstring not fully right but good enough. In the 10th minute, Oyarzabal whipped a ball to the back post and Yamal slid in his first World Cup goal. The second player aged 18 or under to open the scoring in a World Cup game – the first since Pelé in 1958. Oyarzabal then scored twice himself in the space of three minutes (21′, 24′), hitting the crossbar shortly after as he chased a first-half hat-trick. 3-0 at the break. De la Fuente substituted both Yamal and Oyarzabal at half-time to protect them. An Altambakti own goal on 49 sealed it 4-0. Spain are back. Saudi Arabia are in deep trouble heading into their final group game.
Goals: Yamal (10′), Oyarzabal (21′, 24′), Altambakti OG (49′) – Spain
Belgium 0-0 Iran – Group G
Belgium have now drawn both of their World Cup matches, despite having De Bruyne and Lukaku available. Iran were organised, disciplined, and comfortable with the point. Group G remains completely congested with three teams still able to qualify going into the final round.
Goals: None
Uruguay 2-2 Cape Verde – Group H
The Cape Verde story refuses to end. Kevin Pina scored their first ever World Cup goal in the 21st minute – a thunderous free-kick from 30 yards that flew into the top corner. Uruguay dominated possession and eventually turned it around through Araújo on 44 and Canobbio in the 6th minute of stoppage time to lead 2-1 at half-time. But substitute Hélio Varela, barely seconds after coming on, capitalised on a calamitous sideways pass from Olivera that drew goalkeeper Muslera off his line – and tapped into an empty net. 2-2. Uruguay had a late goal ruled out for offside. Bielsa’s side have just two points from two games and face Spain next. Cape Verde, with two points, still have a realistic shot at the Round of 32.
Goals: Araújo (44′), Canobbio (45+6′) – Uruguay; Pina (21′), Varela (60′) – Cape Verde
New Zealand 1-3 Egypt – Group G
Egypt have won a World Cup match. For the first time in 92 years of trying.
New Zealand led at half-time through Finn Surman’s flying header from a corner. Egypt were poor in the first half. Then they came out after the break and were a completely different team. Mostafa Zico equalised with a header on 58, then set up Salah perfectly to make it 2-1 on 67 – Zico back-heeling into space for Salah to dribble into the box and finish left-footed into the bottom corner. Salah’s 68th international goal. The oldest Egyptian goalscorer in World Cup history. Trezeguet’s diving header from a Salah corner wrapped it up on 82. When Salah was substituted on 85, BC Place gave him a standing ovation. “It feels like we’re playing in Egypt,” he said.
Egypt top Group G. New Zealand need to beat Belgium to have any hope of going through.
Goals: Surman (15′) – New Zealand; Zico (58′), Salah (67′), Trezeguet (82′) – Egypt