Tonight's matchday is a true tournament crossroads: in Groups G and H, after the first round, all eight teams have collected exactly one point each, and every second-round match could radically rewrite the standings. Spain, held by Cape Verde, takes to the pitch against Saudi Arabia with an urgent need for three points. At the same time, Belgium faces Iran in a match where a draw no longer suits either side.
Day's schedule
- 19:00 Kyiv time. Spain vs Saudi Arabia (Group H, Matchday 2) — Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
- 22:00 Kyiv time. Belgium vs Iran (Group G, Matchday 2) — SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California
- 01:00 Kyiv time (June 22). Uruguay vs Cape Verde (Group H, Matchday 2) — Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens
- 04:00 Kyiv time (June 22). New Zealand vs Egypt (Group G, Matchday 2) — BC Place, Vancouver
19:00 Kyiv time. Spain vs Saudi Arabia (Group H, Matchday 2)
After a sensational 0-0 draw with Cape Verde in the first round, Spain finds itself in a situation where a defeat or another draw would complicate the fight for first place in the group. Saudi Arabia also stopped at one point after a 1-1 draw with Uruguay — so both teams take the field under equal tournament pressure. In Group H all four sides have one point each, and the winner of this match becomes the table leader.
In the first round, Spain was unable to beat goalkeeper Vozinha, who stopped several dangerous moments and earned worldwide fame. Against the more organised Saudi defence, La Furia Roja will need greater sharpness from Lamine Yamal and Pedri. Saudi Arabia, who scored through Al-Amri in the first round, are ready to defend and look for counter-attacks.
22:00 Kyiv time. Belgium vs Iran (Group G, Matchday 2)
Group G is the most evenly balanced at the tournament: Belgium, Egypt, Iran and New Zealand all have one point each after the first round. Belgium drew 1-1 with Egypt, Iran drew 2-2 with New Zealand. The match at SoFi Stadium is a direct duel for the right to top the group. Iran, who scored twice in the first round, are showing attacking potential, while Belgium with their star-studded squad cannot afford yet another single point.
Watch the attacking duel: Iranian striker Mehdi Taremi against a Belgian defence that conceded to Egypt. For Belgium, this is a match where three points are the minimum requirement to keep control of their group destiny.
01:00 Kyiv time (June 22). Uruguay vs Cape Verde (Group H, Matchday 2)
Uruguay, after a 1-1 draw with Saudi Arabia (Maximiliano Araújo's goal in the 80th minute), are looking for their first win at the tournament. Cape Verde — the sensation of the first round who stopped Spain. For the Blue Sharks, a draw or a win against Uruguay would be an even bigger surprise and would seriously complicate the Group H standings.
04:00 Kyiv time (June 22). New Zealand vs Egypt (Group G, Matchday 2)
The late fixture in Vancouver closes the matchday. New Zealand, after their 2-2 draw with Iran, and Egypt, after their 1-1 draw with Belgium — both teams need a win to contend for a place in the next round. The match at BC Place could produce a surprising result: both sides have already shown they can score.
Results of all matches — in the evening edition of Nightly Mundial after the final whistles and in the morning digest at 09:00 Kyiv time.
Photo: James Benge · Editorial (source)
