Belgium, France and Spain won their groups
Cabo Verde and Senegal sneaked through
It was billed as Erling Haaland against Kylian Mbappe. This FIFA World Cup 2026™ thriller would nevertheless belong to another of planet football’s otherworldly talents. Ousmane Dembele, indeed, was uncontrollable as France felled Norway to swagger through as group victors. Belgium and Spain also won their sections on a day when miniature Cabo Verde reached the knockout phase on football’s biggest stage. Senegal will join them after scoring enough times to go through as one of the best third-placed sides, but New Zealand, Saudi Arabia and two-time champions Uruguay crashed out.
The Lions of Teranga needed to win big. It looked good when they took the lead – and a numerical advantage – inside the first 15 minutes, but some admirable Iraqi defending left the Senegalese with it all to do in the second half. Pape Thiaw’s team nevertheless got the job done in emphatic style, two stylish strikes from Pape Gueye helping Senegal progress.
Haaland was buckled to the bench. Mbappe started and stylishly struck the woodwork within seconds. Then Dembele made the game his own – and emphatically demonstrated why he can be as devastating for France on the flank as he can for Paris Saint-Germain through the centre. Desire Doue sealed an opponent-alarming victory as Les Bleus secured a last-32 date at New York New Jersey Stadium. Norway will now go to Dallas Stadium to play Côte d’Ivoire.
Los Charrúas required a result. They didn’t get it against La Roja. Lamine Yamal flickered his inimitable genius, but it was Alex Baena who got the only goal – one goalkeeper Fernando Muslera will be desperate to forget. After a disappointing opener, Spain sailed through.
The odds on Cabo Verde finishing above Uruguay were huge. The odds on them navigating the group stage unbeaten were even bigger. The World Cup debutants nonetheless managed to pull off both those feats. Another draw got the Blue Sharks into the knockout phase, and sent the Green Falcons and La Celeste home.
Kevin De Bruyne and Leandro Trossard went off to standing ovations from the Red Devils’ supporters. Three goals between them had put Belgium on the brink of topping the pool. When Elijah Just’s third of the tournament dropped Belgium to second, however, substitutes saved the day, Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Saelemaekers securing a last-32 date in Seattle.
How did they not find a winner? Team Melli could lament it for a long time. Ramin Rezaeian had got them on level terms in the 14th minute, but it was in the last 15 that they began laying siege to their opponents’ goal. Amir Ghalenoei’s charges had a goal ruled out for offside, rattled the woodwork twice, and forced Mostafa Shoubir into one of the saves of these finals. Iran now need other results to go their way to advance as one of the best third-placed teams. Egypt will encounter Australia in Dallas in the first knockout round.
Ousmane Dembele, in just 32 minutes, scored the second-fastest hat-trick from kick-off in World Cup history. Erich Probst netted a 24-minute treble for Austria against Switzerland in 1954. All 11 France players were involved in the move that led to Dembele’s third goal.
Cabo Verde became the smallest nation by population to reach the World Cup knockout phase. The archipelago has around 530,000 inhabitants.
Spain became the second side to finish the group stage without conceding after Mexico.
Romelu Lukaku scored just 56 seconds after coming off the bench.
June 27 (all times local) 17:00 (Group L) 17:00 (Group L) 19:30 (Group K) 19:30 (Group K) 21:00 (Group J) 21:00 (Group J)
Sources: FIFA Official
