Mohamed Salah and Egypt
Against New Zealand in Vancouver

Mohamed Salah scored and assisted as Egypt came from behind to beat New Zealand 3-1, securing the country’s first World Cup victory. Mostafa Ziko equalised before Salah and Mahmoud Trezeguet completed the historic comeback in Vancouver.

Egypt recovered from Finn Surman’s early header and now sit on four points in Group G. Their final match against Iran will decide whether they progress as group winners or face a tighter knockout qualification battle.

Spain, Saudi Arabia, Lamine Yamal and Mikel Oyarzabal
21 June 2026

Spain beat Saudi Arabia 4-0 in Atlanta to recover from their opening draw and move to four points in Group H. Lamine Yamal scored his first World Cup goal, while Mikel Oyarzabal added two before Spain eased through the second half.

Yamal’s early back-post finish changed the mood after Spain’s frustration against Cape Verde. Oyarzabal then answered criticism with two quick goals, and Luis de la Fuente managed minutes by withdrawing both key attackers at half-time with the result secure.

Belgium, Iran, Nathan Ngoy and Thibaut Courtois
21 June 2026

Belgium were held to a 0-0 draw by Iran, leaving Rudi Garcia’s side still searching for their first World Cup win. Nathan Ngoy was sent off in the second half, while Thibaut Courtois made key saves to protect a point.

Belgium controlled possession but struggled to create clear chances without Jeremy Doku. Iran threatened through Mehdi Taremi and Hossein Kanaani, and Ngoy’s red card left Belgium under pressure before a final group match against New Zealand.

Curacao, Ecuador and Eloy Room
21 June 2026

Curacao earned their first World Cup point with a 0-0 draw against Ecuador in Kansas City, led by Eloy Room’s 15 saves. The Miami FC goalkeeper equalled the men’s World Cup save record and kept Ecuador scoreless despite 28 shots.

Room set the tone with an early stop from Enner Valencia and continued denying close-range chances. Ecuador created more than three expected goals, but Curacao defended deep late on and now remain alive before facing Ivory Coast.

Japan, Tunisia and Daichi Kamada
21 June 2026

Japan beat Tunisia 4-0 in Monterrey to move into a strong Group F position and eliminate Tunisia from the World Cup. Daichi Kamada scored early from Keito Nakamura’s low cross as Hajime Moriyasu’s side controlled the match without Takefusa Kubo.

The quick opener forced Tunisia to chase the game and left Japan comfortable in possession and transitions. With the win, Japan moved one point ahead of Sweden, meaning a draw in their final group game would be enough to progress.

Germany, Ivory Coast and Deniz Undav
21 June 2026

Germany beat Ivory Coast 2-1 in Toronto to reach the World Cup knockouts for the first time since 2014. Substitute Deniz Undav scored twice, including a stoppage-time winner, after Franck Kessie had put Ivory Coast ahead.

Julian Nagelsmann’s changes transformed the match as Undav and Nadiem Amiri came on together before combining for the equaliser. Undav’s late finish punished Ivory Coast’s missed chance and strengthened his case to start against Ecuador.

Netherlands, Sweden, Brian Brobbey and Cody Gakpo
21 June 2026

Netherlands beat Sweden 5-1 in Houston, moving top of Group F and stretching their World Cup unbeaten run to a record 14 matches. Brian Brobbey and Cody Gakpo both scored twice before Crysencio Summerville added the fifth.

Ronald Koeman’s decision to start Brobbey paid off quickly as the striker gave the Dutch a two-goal lead inside 17 minutes. Sweden replied through Anthony Elanga, but the Oranje attack looked sharper after their draw with Japan.

Paraguay, Turkey, Matias Galarza and Miguel Almiron
20 June 2026

Paraguay beat Turkey 1-0 in Santa Clara, eliminating Vincenzo Montella’s side from the World Cup after two goalless defeats. Matias Galarza scored after 65 seconds, while Paraguay survived Miguel Almiron’s red card for covering his mouth during a confrontation.

Gustavo Alfaro’s side protected their early lead despite playing more than half the match with 10 men. Orlando Gill made key saves as Turkey finished with heavy possession and 33 shots but failed to convert any chance.

Brazil, Haiti, Matheus Cunha and Vinicius Junior
20 June 2026

Brazil beat Haiti 3-0 in Philadelphia to move top of Group C and eliminate the Caribbean side from the World Cup. Matheus Cunha scored twice, Vinicius Junior added a goal and Neymar missed another match with a calf issue.

Carlo Ancelotti started Cunha after Brazil’s flat draw with Morocco, and the Manchester United forward gave the attack sharper movement. Vinicius created the opener, assisted Cunha’s second and helped Brazil control the first half before easing off.

USA, Australia and Mauricio Pochettino
20 June 2026

USA beat Australia 2-0 in Seattle to reach the World Cup knockout stage with one group match to spare. Folarin Balogun forced an own goal, Alex Freeman added a VAR-confirmed header and Christian Pulisic missed out with a calf injury.

Mauricio Pochettino replaced Pulisic with Ricardo Pepi and used a two-striker shape alongside Balogun. The move occupied Australia’s centre-backs, helped the press and gave the hosts enough control to secure back-to-back World Cup wins comfortably.