Sunday had a bit of everything: champions Spain turning on the style, an end-to-end thriller in Miami, a battling win for Egypt, and a goalless wall built by Iran. Two big results, two tight ones — here's the day in short.
Spain 4–0 Saudi Arabia
The European champions were a joy to watch in Atlanta. Teenager Lamine Yamal opened the scoring on 10 minutes, and Mikel Oyarzabal struck twice in the space of three first-half minutes to put the game to bed before the break. An own goal early in the second half completed a 4–0 win.
Yamal, still a teenager, lighting up a World Cup stage is exactly the storyline the tournament hoped for — and Oyarzabal's lightning double showed the depth of quality around him. Four goals without reply, against an organised Saudi side, makes a real early statement about Spain's intentions. Saudi Arabia were effectively beaten before half-time and will look to dust themselves down quickly; few teams will live with Spain when they play like this.
Uruguay 2–2 Cape Verde
The thriller of the day in Miami. Debutants Cape Verde stunned Uruguay by leading through Kévin Pina on 21 minutes. Uruguay roared back: Mathías Araújo levelled just before the break, and Agustín Canobbio nudged them ahead deep in first-half stoppage time. But Cape Verde wouldn't go away — Hélio Varela equalised on the hour, and the islanders held on for a famous point.
For one of the smallest nations ever to reach a World Cup, trading blows with two-time champions Uruguay and coming away with a draw is the stuff of dreams. They led, were pegged back and overtaken in a frantic spell either side of half-time, then summoned an equaliser when many expected them to fold. Uruguay, for all their pedigree, will be frustrated they couldn't protect a lead twice — but the night belonged to fearless Cape Verde.
Egypt 3–1 New Zealand
Egypt's first-ever World Cup win, and what a statement it was. Finn Surman gave New Zealand a 15th-minute header to send BC Place into a roar, but Egypt came alive after the break: Mostafa Mohamed equalised on 58 minutes, Mohamed Salah put the Pharaohs ahead on 67 minutes, and Trezeguet added a third on 82 minutes to seal a historic 3–1 victory.
Salah, who gave a goal and an assist in a vintage second-half performance, was the heartbeat of an Egypt team that refused to accept defeat. For a nation competing in only their second World Cup, overturning a half-time deficit against a spirited New Zealand side — and doing it with a three-goal second half — is the kind of result that stays with a generation. New Zealand led at the break and will be bitterly disappointed; the margin at the end was flattering to no one, but Salah on this form is a different class.
Belgium 0–0 Iran
Iran came to Los Angeles with a plan, and it worked: keep it tight, frustrate the favourites, take the point. Belgium had the ball and the chances but couldn't find the breakthrough against a disciplined, deep-lying defence.
Not every goalless draw is dull — this was a proper tactical tug-of-war. Iran defended in numbers, stayed patient, and walked away with exactly what they came for; against one of the tournament's heavyweights, a clean sheet and a point is a fine night's work. Belgium will be the more frustrated, knowing how dropped points early can make the rest of a group a nervier business than it needs to be.
Reports are based on verified full-time scores and goalscorers (some scorer details for tighter games are still being confirmed). Unofficial fan page — not affiliated with FIFA.