We’re back for yet another day of World Cup action. It was a day where we got to see how teams would react after drawing their opening game. It was a chance for some to remind everyone why they were favorites to make a deep run and for others to surprise us all and show they’re here to stay. Others would prove why they don’t belong or why they’re just not as good as we might have thought. Here’s what I saw today from groups G and H:

Spain 4-0 Saudi Arabia

This one went pretty much exactly as expected. Spain were held to a shocking 0-0 draw last time out against Cape Verde but you had to expect they would turn things around in game 2. They’re notoriously slow starters in the World Cup going back to 2010 when they lost 1-0 to Switzerland in their opener before going on to win the whole thing. For Saudi Arabia, they tend to have one surprise game per tournament. Last time around, it was a shock win over eventual winners Argentina. This time, it was the 1-1 draw against Uruguay in their opener. In this game though, it was all Spain from the start.

Lamine Yamal got the scoring started for Spain in the 10th minute. Then, Mikel Oyarzabal got a brace less than three minutes apart to give Spain a 3-0 lead heading into the half. An early second half own goal gave Spain a fourth. This was never a contest and Spain showed why they’re one of the favorites. Saudi Arabia on the other hand continue to be a team that will probably always qualify out of Asia but won’t ever be a real threat.

Belgium 0-0 Iran

This was another one of those games where a purported big team (Belgium) needed to show if their first game was just them being slow out of the gate. And for Iran, it was about continuing to prove they could compete after they drew New Zealand 2-2 in their opener. Well, this game gave us some answers.

Belgium looked good on the ball and had 81% possession in the first half. But despite having all of the ball, they couldn’t get the final pass right in the attacking third. Iran actually came closest to scoring when they put the ball in the back of the net from a nicely worked free kick routine. However, Mehdi Taremi stepped just offside before the ball was played so it was overturned. In the second half, Belgium continued to dominate the ball but it was the same story in the first half. They then got a red card in the 66th when Nathan Ngoy pulled down Taremi when he was through on goal. Belgium almost looked better playing a man down but they still couldn’t get their goal and we ended up with the 0-0 draw.

There’s no sugarcoating it: this is embarrassing for Belgium. They’ve been in this “golden generation” for that past 10-15 years and have nothing to show for it. Their biggest problem so far this tournament is a lack of a good number 9. Romelu Lukaku is nowhere near who he used to be. Dodi Lukebakio isn’t good enough and Lois Openda was left at home. It doesn’t matter how many creative midfielders you have when there’s no one to put the chances away. As for Iran, they’ve looked pretty good in these two games and are still in with a chance to advance out of the group. That’s right where they wanted to be heading into the last group game.

Cape Verde 2-2 Uruguay

What. A. Game. And what a story Cape Verde have become. A draw against Spain was incredible. But to follow it up with another draw against Uruguay is special. Nobody would have blamed this team if the Spain draw was the height of their tournament. But today, Cape Verde proved they aren’t done. Here’s how it all went down.

Cape Verde took the lead through a Kevin Pina free kick in the 21st. It was a low drive that split the two man Uruguayan wall and surprised goalkeeper Fernando Muslera. As it got later into the half, Uruguay were really pushing and Cape Verde were desperate to get into the half at 1-0. Unfortunately for them, Uruguay would score in the 44th and 45+6′. It’s something that would have devastated most teams. But Cape Verde aren’t most teams. They kept fighting in the second half and were rewarded when Uruguay defender Mathias Olivera played a poor pass across his own defensive third. Substitute Helio Varela took advantage of a stranded Muslera and buried the ball the into an empty net. Cape Verde would hang on and get yet another historic draw.

I can’t say enough about this Cape Verde team. The fight that they’ve shown over these first two games has been unmatched by anyone else in this competition. This is truly what the World Cup is about. As for Uruguay, they’ll of course be disappointed. Two draws in their first two games when they have Spain to play next isn’t great. We’ll get to where things stand in the group soon but just know it’s all up for grabs.

Egypt 3-1 New Zealand

The 0-0 draw between Belgium and Iran earlier in the day made this game even more important. This was already an opportunity for either team to get their first ever World Cup win. Now, a win would put the winner into first in the group.

New Zealand got their goal in the 15th minute when defender Finn Surman rose to meet a Tim Payne corner and buried a header into the back on the net. Down a goal, Egypt started to get into the game more, especially in the second half. Their pressure would pay off when Mostafa Ziko headed the ball in in the 58th to level it at 1-1. Just under ten minutes later, Egyptian legend Mohamed Salah put his team ahead for good with his patented left-footed finish. Salah would add an assist in the 82nd minute when his corner was met by the head of Trezeguet.

For New Zealand, their tournament was always going to be about how far their physicality could take them. That, and Chris Wood. As for Egypt, it was always about Mo Salah. And Salah certainly delivered in this one. While he wasn’t involved in the equalizer, he is the reason Egypt were able to secure their first World Cup victory. Another fantastic moment in a storied career.

Group Updates

In Group G, no one has secured their qualification to the knockout rounds. But of course, Egypt are in the best position. They find themselves first heading into their last group game, where they’ll take on Iran. A win in that match will guarantee first for Egypt. A draw will also win Egypt the group so long as Belgium don’t win against New Zealand and make up the goal difference. As for the other teams in the group, it’s complicated. But a win for Belgium or Iran would guarantee they advance while a win for New Zealand will probably get them through but it isn’t guaranteed. A lot to play for heading into the final match.

No one has advanced out of Group H either. Spain are in the best position to win the group and it would be a pretty big surprise if they don’t pull it off. It would require either losing to Uruguay or drawing and having Cape Verde win and make up a big goal difference. The most likely outcome here is a Spain win. That would leave Cape Verde with a great chance of moving on. If Spain beat Uruguay, all Cape Verde need is another draw to get through as 2nd place. Saudi Arabia are also very much alive. If they beat Cape Verde and Uruguay don’t beat Spain, they will jump up to second and advance out of the group. So just as with group G, everything is pretty wide open heading into the last day.

Stray Thoughts

• It’s crazy how reliant Spain are on an 18 year old Lamine Yamal. They just look like a completely different team with him in there. When you look at all the talent they have, you’d expect them to be able to handle Yamal being out. But clearly, they can’t. This kid is the future (and the present, honestly)
• I also want to take this time to talk about how great Rebecca Lowe is. I can’t point to anything specific that she did today or really at any point throughout the tournament so far. But I love her as a host for the Premier League on NBC and she’s been just as good here.

So that’ll wrap things up for Matchday 11. It was an interesting day getting to see 8 teams who all drew their openers. It created more drama despite the fact that no team was going to be able to clinch a spot in the knockouts. There’s a lot to look forward to for Matchday 12, with Mbappe, Haaland, and Messi getting to take center stage yet again. I’m certain they’ll be able to deliver. See you then!