World Cup 2026: Spain Storm, Egypt Stun, Argentina March On
June 21–22, 2026
Five matches, fourteen goals, and the final round of the group stage opened with a statement from Spain, a rescue act from Egypt, and another clean sheet for Argentina. Here is what happened across June 21–22.
Egypt Turn It Around After the Break
New Zealand led 1-0 at half-time and looked on course for a first win of the tournament. Then Egypt scored three times in the second half to win 3-1 and climb to the top of Group G. Mohamed Salah was at the heart of the turnaround, pulling the strings as Egypt's attack finally found its rhythm after a sluggish opening 45 minutes.
The win puts Egypt on four points from two games, having drawn 2-2 with Iran in their opener. New Zealand, with one point from two, now almost certainly need a result against Belgium on the final day to stay alive.
Spain Send a Warning
Spain 4-0 Saudi Arabia, and it was 3-0 by the time the teams walked off for half-time. After a goalless opener against Cape Verde, this was the performance Spain had been waiting for — clinical in front of goal, tidy at the back, and built on a defense that has now kept two clean sheets.
Spain sit top of Group H with a +4 goal difference that could matter when the round-of-32 seedings are decided. Saudi Arabia, bottom with one point and a −4 goal difference, face Uruguay on the final day needing a near-miracle.
Argentina Make It Two From Two
Argentina 2-0 Austria. One up at the break, two by full-time, and six points from six. Lionel Messi, already on three goals for the tournament, pulled the strings again as Argentina's defense kept a second consecutive clean sheet. With a +5 goal difference and two wins, they are effectively into the round of 32.
Austria stay second in Group J on three points, well placed to join them with one more result.
Belgium and Iran Cancel Each Other Out
A 0-0 draw that leaves Group G wide open. Belgium have now drawn both matches — 1-1 against Egypt, 0-0 against Iran — with just one goal scored in two games, and the questions about where the goals come from are getting louder. Iran are unbeaten but similarly blunt: two draws, two goals.
Both sit on two points, two behind Egypt. The final matchday will decide everything — and both sides know a win may still not be enough.
Uruguay and Cape Verde Split the Points
Uruguay led 2-1 at half-time but could not hold on, Cape Verde leveling for a 2-2 draw. Both teams now have two points from two draws in Group H — level with each other and adrift of Spain only on goal difference. Cape Verde's tournament debut keeps gathering momentum; Uruguay will rue a lead that slipped.
Group Impact
Group G — Egypt 4pts, Iran 2, Belgium 2, New Zealand 1. Egypt control their own destiny; Belgium and Iran must find a goal and a win on the final day.
Group H — Spain 4pts (+4 GD), Uruguay 2, Cape Verde 2, Saudi Arabia 1. Spain are through barring a collapse; Uruguay and Cape Verde face off with knockout places on the line.
Group J — Argentina 6pts, Austria 3, Jordan 0, Algeria 0. Argentina are through. Austria need one more result to likely join them.
Looking Ahead
The final round of group games ramps up on June 23. Argentina can rotate, Spain can breathe, and Group G turns into a live knife — Egypt-Iran and Belgium-New Zealand both kick off on June 27 with qualification on the line.
France-Iraq, still in play as this recap was filed, will be covered in tomorrow's digest.