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World Cup roundup: Belgium, Senegal and Egypt squeeze through to knockout stages
27th June, 2026 08:55 AM
Belgium, France and Spain have wrapped up top spot in their respective FIFA World Cup 2026 groups as Cabo Verde and Senegal also secured places in the Round of 32, while two-time champions Uruguay were eliminated from the tournament.
France’s meeting with Norway on Friday night, June 26, 2026, had been promoted as a showdown between Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland, but it was Ousmane Dembele who stole the spotlight with a sensational display.
His performance inspired Les Bleus to an emphatic victory and confirmed their place at the top of Group I. Belgium and Spain also ended the group stage as section winners, while World Cup newcomers Cabo Verde celebrated a historic qualification for the knockout rounds.
Senegal also advanced after finishing among the tournament’s best third-placed teams. Meanwhile, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia and Uruguay all bowed out.
Senegal 5-0 Iraq
Senegal produced the convincing victory they desperately needed to keep their World Cup dream alive. Their task became easier after taking an early lead while Iraq were reduced to ten men inside the opening quarter-hour.
Despite Iraq frustrating them for much of the first half, Senegal came alive after the break. Midfielder Pape Gueye scored twice as Pape Thiaw’s side completed a dominant five-goal performance that was enough to secure qualification as one of the strongest third-placed teams.
Norway 1-4 France
France delivered one of the standout performances of the group stage with a commanding win over Norway.
Although Kylian Mbappe threatened almost immediately after kick-off, it was Ousmane Dembele who dominated proceedings with a superb hat-trick. Desire Doue also found the net as France comfortably sealed first place in Group I and booked a Round of 32 clash in New York New Jersey. Norway, despite the defeat, also progressed and will face Côte d’Ivoire in Dallas.
Uruguay 0-1 Spain
Spain maintained their impressive defensive record by edging Uruguay to finish top of Group H.
Lamine Yamal frequently troubled the Uruguayan defence, but it was Alex Baena whose goal proved decisive. Goalkeeper Fernando Muslera endured a difficult moment as Spain secured all three points, while Uruguay’s defeat confirmed their unexpected exit from the tournament.
Cabo Verde 0-0 Saudi Arabia
Tournament debutants Cabo Verde continued their remarkable World Cup journey by earning a goalless draw against Saudi Arabia.
The single point was enough for the island nation to finish ahead of Uruguay in the standings and reach the knockout phase without losing a group-stage match. The result also ended Saudi Arabia’s campaign.
New Zealand 1-5 Belgium
Belgium capped off an impressive group campaign with a comfortable victory over New Zealand.
Kevin De Bruyne and Leandro Trossard were instrumental in putting the Red Devils in control before being substituted to warm applause. Although Elijah Just briefly altered the group standings with his goal for New Zealand, substitutes Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Saelemaekers restored Belgium’s advantage and ensured they finished top of Group G before their Round of 32 meeting in Seattle.
Egypt 1-1 Iran
Egypt and Iran shared the points in a scoreless encounter that left Team Melli facing an anxious wait.
Iran created numerous late opportunities, including a disallowed goal for offside, two efforts that struck the woodwork and several saves from Egyptian goalkeeper Mostafa Shoubir. Despite failing to score, Iran still retained a slim chance of advancing among the best third-placed teams, while Egypt confirmed a knockout tie against Australia in Dallas.
Notable statistics
Ousmane Dembele recorded one of the fastest World Cup hat-tricks ever, completing his treble just 32 minutes after kick-off. Only Austria’s Erich Probst scored a quicker World Cup hat-trick, doing so in 24 minutes during the 1954 tournament.
Every France player touched the ball during the move that resulted in Dembele’s third goal.
Cabo Verde became the least-populous country ever to qualify for the World Cup knockout rounds, with a population of approximately 530,000.
Spain completed the group stage without conceding a goal, becoming only the second team to achieve that feat since Mexico.
Romelu Lukaku needed just 56 seconds after coming off the bench to score for Belgium.
