Published: June 27, 2026 at 1:59 pm
Cape Verde made history at the Fifa World Cup 2026 as they advanced from Group H to the knockout rounds in their first-ever FIFA World Cup appearance. This was courtesy Spain who booked their place in the round of 32 with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Uruguay in a fiercely contested Group H clash at the Estadio Guadalajara Zapopan Stadium.
https://x.com/FabrizioRomano/status/2070775537379807608?s=20
Álex Baena’s first-half strike proved decisive as La Roja sealed qualification, while Uruguay’s defeat ended their World Cup campaign and confirmed Cape Verde’s historic progression to the knockout stages.
With qualification on the line, Uruguay entered the match needing a victory to keep their Round of 32 hopes alive, while Spain required a positive result to guarantee their place in the knockout rounds. The encounter lived up to its billing, with both teams producing high-intensity football, end-to-end attacks and a physical battle across the pitch.
Cape Verde advanced from Group H to the knockout rounds in their first-ever FIFA World Cup appearance, becoming one of the stories of the group stage. Pics: FIFA/X
Spain found the breakthrough just before halftime in the 42nd minute. Marcos Llorente delivered an inviting cross into the penalty area, where Álex Baena arrived at the perfect moment to finish confidently and hand La Roja a crucial lead heading into the interval.
Uruguay emerged with renewed urgency after the break and pushed relentlessly in search of an equaliser. However, Spain’s disciplined defensive display withstood sustained pressure, limiting the South Americans despite several dangerous attacking moments.
The contest ended on a sour note for Uruguay deep into stoppage time when Agustín Canobbio was shown a straight red card in the 90+5th minute for a reckless challenge on Pau Cubarsí, capping a frustrating evening for Marcelo Bielsa’s side.
Cape Verde advance
The victory ensured Spain progressed to the Round of 32, while Uruguay bowed out of the tournament. The result also confirmed a landmark achievement for Cape Verde, who advanced from Group H to the knockout rounds in their first-ever FIFA World Cup appearance, becoming one of the stories of the group stage.
Dembélé ’tricks as France seal top spot
France secured top spot in Group I with a commanding 4-1 victory over Norway in one of the standout fixtures of the FIFA World Cup 2026 group stage at the Boston Stadium. Already assured of qualification, both sides entered the contest with 6 points each and first place at stake, but a sensational first-half hat-trick from Ousmane Dembélé ensured Les Bleus finished atop the standings with an emphatic display.
France wasted little time stamping their authority on the contest. In the 7th minute, Kylian Mbappé threaded a perfectly weighted pass into the path of Dembélé, who embarked on a dazzling run before powering a right-footed finish into the far post to give Les Bleus the lead.
The French winger doubled the advantage in a spectacular fashion in the 20th minute. Once again combining brilliantly with Mbappé, Dembélé curled a sublime left-footed strike from outside the penalty area to leave Norway with a mountain to climb.
A sensational first-half hat-trick from Ousmane Dembélé ensured Les Bleus finished atop the standings with an emphatic display. Pic: BBC/X
Norway responded at the 21st minute when Thelo Aasgaard finished with a low driven ball at the near post after an excellent assist from Andreas Schjelderup, reducing the deficit and briefly bringing the contest back to life.
France, however, quickly restored control through their in-form winger. In the 32nd minute, Aurélien Tchouaméni found Dembélé inside the area, and calmly curled home his third goal of the evening to complete a remarkable first-half hat-trick.
Les Bleus continued to dominate after the break, limiting Norway’s opportunities before adding a fourth goal deep into stoppage time. Bradley Barcola delivered a pinpoint cross for Désiré Doué, who rose highest for the header in the 90+4th minute and completed a comprehensive victory.
The result saw France finish top of Group I, while Norway also progressed to the Round of 32 despite the defeat after securing second place. Senegal also advanced to the knockout rounds, qualifying as one of the tournament’s best third-placed teams, ensuring all three Group I qualifiers remain in contention for FIFA World Cup glory.
Belgium’s golden generation sends a statement with five-star New Zealand rout
Belgium delivered their most convincing performance of the FIFA World Cup so far, producing a dominant 5-1 victory over New Zealand at BC Place, Vancouver, to finish top of Group G and secure their place in the knockout stage.
With qualification on the line for both sides, Belgium wasted little time asserting its authority. The Red Devils controlled possession from the opening whistle, pinning New Zealand deep inside their own half and searching for an early breakthrough.
Leandro Trossard was at the heart of Belgium’s attacking threat and came agonisingly close to opening the scoring when his effort from a tight angle beat everyone except the crossbar. The rebound caused further chaos inside the box, with VAR briefly checking for a possible penalty before play continued.
New Zealand defended bravely under relentless pressure, but Belgium’s persistence eventually paid off. In the 28th minute, a corner caused confusion in the New Zealand defence as the ball bounced inside the box. Tim Payne’s touch fell perfectly for Trossard, who reacted quickest and smashed the ball home from close range to give Belgium a deserved lead.
The first half belonged completely to Belgium. They went into the break with a 1-0 advantage, having registered 16 shots and 62% possession while restricting New Zealand to no attempts on goal. The scoreline hardly reflected their dominance.
Belgium continued where they left off after the restart, and Trossard doubled the lead shortly after half-time. Kevin De Bruyne was involved in the build-up, with Hans Vanaken finding Trossard inside the box. His initial effort was saved by Max Crocombe, but Trossard reacted instantly to fire in the rebound and complete his brace.
New Zealand struggled to gain control throughout the match, particularly failing to win second balls in midfield, allowing Belgium to maintain pressure and dictate the tempo.
The game was put beyond doubt in the 63rd minute when De Bruyne finally got his reward. After winning possession outside the box, the Belgian captain created space and drilled a low strike into the bottom corner, leaving Crocombe with no chance.
New Zealand managed a consolation goal through Elijah Just, who produced a stunning long-range strike after a cleared corner fell to him on the edge of the box. However, any hopes of a comeback were quickly ended.
Belgium substitute Romelu Lukaku made an immediate impact, scoring with his first touch just 56 seconds after coming on. Alexis Saelemaekers delivered the cross, and Lukaku powered a header past Crocombe to restore Belgium’s three-goal advantage. The goal was Lukaku’s 91st for Belgium, further extending his record as the nation’s all-time leading scorer.
Belgium added a fifth late on, with Saelemaekers finding space outside the box before firing a powerful strike past a helpless Crocombe to complete a statement victory.
After a slow start to their World Cup campaign with two opening draws, Belgium’s golden generation finally found their rhythm when it mattered most. The five-goal performance was their highest-scoring match in World Cup history and sends them into the knockout stage with renewed confidence.
For New Zealand, the result brings their World Cup journey to an end. They struggled to match Belgium’s quality and intensity throughout the contest, failing to create enough attacking moments against a side that showed why they remain one of the tournament’s most dangerous teams.
The golden generation is still alive — and Belgium have announced themselves as genuine contenders once again.
World Cup Trivia
Ousmane Dembélé completed his hat-trick against Norway in just 32 minutes from kick-off. That makes it the second-fastest hat-trick from kick-off in FIFA World Cup history! Only Erich Probst’s 24-minute hat-trick against Czechoslovakia in 1954 was quicker. Dembélé surpassed Gary Lineker’s 34-minute treble from 1986 to move into second place on the all-time list.
