Soccer
Senegal, France, Spain and Belgium through to Round of 32─── ILSE SMALBERGER 09:52 Sat, 27 Jun 2026
Senegal, France, Spain and Belgium all won their matches in the FIFA World Cup on Friday (26/6), advancing to the knockout phase of football’s biggest stage.
But yesterday belonged to the tiny nation of Cape Verde, which, despite a 0-0 draw against Saudi Arabia, has advanced to the knockout stages for the first time in history.
However, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, and two-time champions Uruguay crashed out of the competition.
In the first match of the day, Senegal gave themselves hope of extending their stay at the World Cup with an emphatic 5-0 win over Iraq as the two nations met for the first time in the final Group I clash in Toronto. They will also advance to the knockout stages as one of the best third-placed sides.
Senegal qualified for the Round of 32. Photo: X/Fifa World Cup
The second game was billed as Kylian Mbappé against Erling Haaland, rather than France versus Norway. However, it was Ousmane Dembélé who emerged as France’s hero, striking a magnificent first-half hat-trick as France made it three wins out of three against a depleted Norway team.
It is also the first time France have won all three group games at a Football World Cup since first winning the trophy on home soil in 1998.
A late first-half goal by Alex Baena secured a 1-0 victory and top spot in Group H for Spain. The defeat knocked Uruguay out of the competition. This is Spain’s first victory against Uruguay at the World Cup. The prior two games ended in a draw.
Red Devils
Belgium triumphed by 5-1 over New Zealand in Vancouver, thanks to goals by Leandro Trossard (2), Kevin de Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Saelemaekers, sending the Red Devils to the Round of 32.
The Pharaohs head into the knockout rounds unbeaten at World Cup 2026 after drawing their final Group G game with Iran 1-1, who stay in contention to join them. Egypt will now face Australia in the Round of 32 as Group G runners-up, while Iran’s World Cup fate hinges on the outcome of the remaining games in Groups J, K, and L.
Egypt qualified for the Round of 32. Photo: X/World Cup 2026
On Saturday (27/6) Panama will face England, and Croatia will meet Ghana in Group L. In Group K, DR Congo will play against Uzbekistan, while Colombia will take on Portugal. And in Group J, Algeria and Austria will battle it out, while Jordan face Argentina.
