Sunday's full slate of Matchday 2 in Groups G and H produced the exact mix of clarity and chaos this tournament has been generating since kickoff. Spain finally looked like Spain. Belgium, somehow, look worse. Uruguay grabbed the points they let slip on Matchday 1, and New Zealand kept their improbable underdog story alive against an Egypt side running out of road. Here is the recap.
Spain 3, Saudi Arabia 0 — Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Luis de la Fuente made three changes from the Cabo Verde XI and all three paid. Pedri came back in for Fabián Ruiz, Oyarzabal replaced Morata centrally, and a clearly-still-not-100% Lamine Yamal got a 60-minute window from the right. The result was Spain playing like Spain for the first time in this World Cup — three lines, quick combinations between Pedri and Rodri, and actual end product instead of the sideways tour they took in the opener.
Yamal opened the scoring in the 19th from a cute one-two with Nico Williams. Oyarzabal made it two before the break, finishing a Pedri through-ball that finally turned a Saudi mid-block inside out. Pedri added a third in the 73rd from outside the box, a curling effort that rolled into the corner past a stranded Mohammed Al-Owais. Hervé Renard's side had moments on the counter — Salem Al-Dawsari rattled the post in the 35th — but never threatened a goal. Spain are now level on four points with Uruguay at the top of Group H, and the conversation in Madrid has shifted overnight.
Belgium 1, Iran 1 — SoFi Stadium
The Belgium project is now officially in trouble. Romelu Lukaku got the start Domenico Tedesco needed him to deliver from and headed in a Kevin De Bruyne cross in the 22nd. From that moment on, the Devils stopped attacking and Iran took over the game. Mehdi Taremi pulled an offside-look goal back in the 39th that was overturned by VAR, and then in the 71st found the equaliser he was already overdue from a deflected Sardar Azmoun cutback.
The 1-1 leaves Belgium on two points from two games and needing to beat Egypt on Matchday 3 to have any control of their fate. Tedesco's tactical setup was again the talking point — De Bruyne was used in a free-eight role for forty minutes and dropped to a more conventional ten after the equaliser, which felt like the wrong way around. Iran, on four points, can essentially clinch advancement with a draw against New Zealand. The group is being run by Carlos Queiroz's old blueprint executed by Amir Ghalenoei, and Belgium are watching it happen.
Uruguay 2, Cabo Verde 0 — Hard Rock Stadium
Marcelo Bielsa got the response he needed. Uruguay started fast, pressed Cabo Verde's centre-backs into rushed clearances for the first twenty minutes, and Darwin Núñez finally turned one of his chances into a goal — a low strike from a Federico Valverde flick-on in the 38th. Valverde added a second in the 67th from a corner that found him unmarked at the back post. Cabo Verde, who had been the surprise team of the group through Matchday 1, defended deeper than they had against Spain and could not find the same quick break-outs that troubled the Spaniards.
The result puts Uruguay top on goal difference and gives Cabo Verde a one-point return after two matches. The Blue Sharks remain in the best-third conversation, but a Matchday 3 trip to face Saudi Arabia now needs to be either a draw with a Spain win over Uruguay, or a win full stop, to keep their tournament alive.
New Zealand 1, Egypt 1 — BC Place
The night cap was the closest thing this tournament has had to a wide open game in days. Chris Wood headed in a Kosta Barbarouses corner four minutes into the second half to give New Zealand a deserved lead. Mohamed Salah, who had been managed through ninety minutes against Iran on Matchday 1, stepped up to convert a 84th-minute penalty after Mostafa Mohamed was tripped by Tyler Bindon, and Egypt walked off with a point they barely earned.
New Zealand are now on two points and will fancy a result against Iran on Matchday 3. Egypt sit on one point and need to beat Belgium to have a chance of going through. The story of this group has flipped completely from what was expected eight days ago.
Groups G and H: where they stand
- Group G: Iran 4, Belgium 2, New Zealand 2, Egypt 1. Iran a draw away from clinching; Belgium need a win against Egypt to survive.
- Group H: Uruguay 4 (+2), Spain 4 (+2), Cabo Verde 1, Saudi Arabia 1. The Matchday 3 Spain-Uruguay top-of-the-group decider will probably name the Group H winner.
- Best third-place watch: A team on three or four points is still likely to qualify. Cabo Verde, Egypt and New Zealand are all alive for it depending on what happens midweek.
Players from the night
- Pedri. Back in the side, back at the controls. The Barcelona midfielder ran a 70-minute clinic and finished it off with a goal. Spain do not function without him.
- Mehdi Taremi. Two goals in two games, one disallowed, one decisive. Iran's tournament-best player by some distance.
- Darwin Núñez. Finally on the scoresheet. The Liverpool striker turned one of seven chances into a goal — at this World Cup, against a deep block, that counts as a productive evening.
FAQ
Are Belgium eliminated? Not yet. They sit on two points and need to beat Egypt on Matchday 3 to have a realistic shot. They also need other results in the group to break their way. The mathematical lifeline is thin.
Is Spain through? Not officially. Four points and a goal difference of plus-two are excellent, but a loss to Uruguay on Matchday 3 plus a Cabo Verde win over Saudi Arabia could still complicate things. Most realistic outcomes have Spain in the next round.
What is Iran's path now? A draw against New Zealand on Matchday 3 confirms top spot in Group G. A win locks it in. They have been the cleanest group-stage performers at this tournament so far.
What is next at the World Cup? Monday June 22 brings Groups I and J Matchday 2 — France, Senegal, Argentina, Norway and Austria all back in action. See the Scorelisto blog for the Day 12 preview and check live soccer scores throughout the night.