Predictions
World Cup 2026 Recap: Spain Roar, Cape Verde Stun Uruguay (June 21)
Sunday's five group-stage games delivered two 4-0 routs, a goalless stalemate and the day's biggest shock — Cape Verde fighting back to hold Uruguay. Here are the confirmed results and what they mean.
Sunday, June 21 served up five group-stage fixtures across three host nations — and a reminder that the 48-team field has real teeth in its lower seeds. Two heavyweights cruised, one favourite was held by a World Cup debutant, and a much-hyped group-stage clash ended scoreless. Every scoreline below is the confirmed final result.
The results at a glance
| Match | Group | Result | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japan vs Tunisia | F | 4-0 | Monterrey |
| Spain vs Saudi Arabia | H | 4-0 | Atlanta |
| Egypt vs New Zealand | G | 3-1 | Vancouver |
| Belgium vs Iran | G | 0-0 | Inglewood |
| Uruguay vs Cape Verde | H | 2-2 | Miami |
Spain find their rhythm
After a flat goalless opener against Cape Verde, Spain answered with a 4-0 demolition of Saudi Arabia in Atlanta. Teenager Lamine Yamal opened the scoring inside ten minutes, Mikel Oyarzabal struck twice in a three-minute first-half burst, and an own goal early in the second half put the result beyond doubt. It was exactly the statement display a title contender needed after a slow start, and it lifts La Roja’s goal difference in a Group H that has suddenly tightened.
Cape Verde’s day to remember
The story of the day, though, belonged to Cape Verde. The smallest nation ever to reach a men’s World Cup twice came from behind to draw 2-2 with two-time champions Uruguay in Miami. Uruguay looked to have turned the game late in the first half, but Cape Verde refused to fold and levelled in the second period — a result that throws Group H wide open and underlines why this tournament’s newcomers are worth taking seriously. We flagged the rising floor of the so-called minnows in our data-driven tiers; days like this are why.
Japan make their own statement
In Monterrey, Japan brushed aside Tunisia 4-0, the second four-goal margin of the day. The Samurai Blue have quietly become a side nobody wants to draw in the knockouts, and a result of this scale will sharpen that reputation.
Group G grinds it out
Group G offered the day’s contrast. Egypt beat New Zealand 3-1 in Vancouver to bank an important first win, while Belgium and Iran played out a 0-0 draw in Inglewood — a tight, cagey night that leaves Belgium short of the attacking spark their squad promises and keeps the group finely balanced.
What it means
Two routs, one stalemate and a genuine shock: matchday two did what the group stage is supposed to do, separating the teams who turned up from the ones still finding their feet — and reminding everyone that the lower seeds in a 48-team field can bite. The standings now set up a loaded matchday three in several groups.
For how these results feed our title projections, see who the data likes to win it all and how our model works.
All scorelines above are confirmed final results, cross-checked against official FIFA match data and major outlets (ESPN, Yahoo Sports). This report contains no estimated or projected scores.