Spain answered the criticism that followed their goalless draw with Cape Verde by thrashing Saudi Arabia 4:0. Lamine Yamal scored his first-ever World Cup goal, while Egypt claimed their first victory in 92 years of World Cup appearances, beating New Zealand 3:1. The night also brought a 0:0 draw between Belgium and Iran, and a sensational 2:2 stalemate between Cape Verde and Uruguay.
Night results
Spain — Saudi Arabia 4:0 (Group H)
The match at Atlanta Stadium kicked off at 19:00 Kyiv time. Yamal started for the first time in this tournament and opened the scoring as early as the 10th minute, finishing a cut-back from Oyarzabal from close range. Mikel Oyarzabal added two more goals — in the 21st and 24th minutes — and Spain led 3:0 before the first hydration break. In the 49th minute, Hassan Altambakhti turned the ball into his own net following a shot from Marc Cucurella. Yamal and Oyarzabal were substituted at half-time — with the score at 3:0, coach Luis de la Fuente decided to save them for upcoming matches. Late in the game, Ferran Torres scored a fifth goal, but VAR ruled it out for offside. After the match, Yamal said: "I always dreamed of being at the World Cup, and scoring in my first starting match is a dream come true."
Spain moved to the top of Group H. Saudi Arabia dropped to last place but still have a chance of reaching the knockout stage ahead of their final group game against Cape Verde.
New Zealand — Egypt 1:3 (Group G)
The match at BC Place in Vancouver ended at 04:00 Kyiv time. New Zealand took the lead as early as the 15th minute when Finn Surman headed in a corner from Tim Payne. Egypt hit back in the second half: Mostafa Ziko levelled in the 58th minute with a header from Mohamed Hany's cross, and Mohamed Salah put the Pharaohs ahead in the 67th minute, finishing off a combination with Ziko. In the 82nd minute, substitute Trezeguet put the result beyond doubt after a Salah corner. Captain Salah scored his 68th international goal and left the pitch to a standing ovation in the 85th minute.
This is Egypt's first-ever victory in World Cup history — their previous three appearances (1934, 1990, 2018) ended with only draws. The Pharaohs lead Group G with 4 points. New Zealand (1 point) retain a theoretical chance but must now beat Belgium in the final round.
Uruguay — Cape Verde 2:2 (Group H)
The match ended at 06:00 Kyiv time. Cape Verde drew for the second time in a row in this tournament — after their goalless draw with Spain, the Blue Sharks held the two-time world champions. The 2:2 scoreline has been confirmed by two independent sources. Uruguay remain in Group H with 2 points and have made their task harder ahead of the final round against Spain.
Belgium — Iran 0:0 (Group G)
The match ended without goals. Belgium were reduced to ten men after a red card early in the second half, which prevented the Red Devils from claiming a win. Both teams have 2 points in Group G.
Standings
Group G (after matchday 2)
- Egypt — 4 points (1 win, 1 draw)
- Iran — 2 points (2 draws)
- Belgium — 2 points (2 draws, behind Iran on goal count)
- New Zealand — 1 point (1 draw, 1 loss)
Egypt top the group and need only a draw against Iran in the final round to advance to the knockout stage. Belgium must beat New Zealand.
Group H (after matchday 2)
- Spain — 4 points (1 win, 1 draw)
- Uruguay — 2 points (1 draw, 1 draw)
- Cape Verde — 2 points (2 draws)
- Saudi Arabia — 1 point (1 draw, 1 loss)
Spain lead the group and are closing in on the knockout stage. Uruguay, Cape Verde, and Saudi Arabia all still have a chance of advancing — everything will be decided in the final round on June 26.
Off the pitch
- Yamal — Spain's youngest World Cup scorer: The 18-year-old Barcelona forward became the eighth-youngest goalscorer in men's World Cup history. Coach De la Fuente reassured reporters after the match that the player's fitness following his hamstring injury is not a concern: "He's back and ready to play."
- Egypt make history: Captain Mohamed Salah said after the match: "It's incredible. We hope to keep going in the same way and qualify — in the future this will be remembered as one of the greatest achievements in Egyptian football history."
- Own-goal record: Altambakhti's own goal in the Spain–Saudi Arabia match was the eighth own goal at the 2026 World Cup — more than at any previous tournament except the 2018 World Cup, and the group stage is not yet over.
- Belgium in crisis: The Red Devils have drawn twice in a row and are under pressure ahead of the final round. Romelu Lukaku called on the team to "improve their concentration" after the match.
Today, June 22, the World Cup fixtures are: France — Iraq (at 20:00 Kyiv time) and Norway — Senegal (at 23:00 Kyiv time) in Group I, as well as Argentina — Austria (at 20:00 Kyiv time) in Group J.
Photo: Charlotte Marsh · Editorial (source)
