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Everything you missed overnight at the World Cup 2026
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- Everything you missed overnight at the World Cup 2026
Iran show resilience after politically charged World Cup opener
Iran and New Zealand did their best to let football do the talking in their politically-charged Group G match . A Fifa ban on Iran's pre-revolutionary flag was upheld hours before kick-off, though thousands of Iranians sported the flag at the Los Angeles Stadium, while the Iranian national anthem was booed loudly. All this just hours after US President Donald Trump's announcement of a US-Iran peace agreement. The All Whites produced a deadly combination in the shape of Chris Wood's outstanding hold-up play and the box-crashing runs of Elijah Just, who hit a double. But Ramin Rezaeian and Mohammad Mohebi ensured a deserved point in one of the games of the tournament so far.
Iran fans celebrate after the match (Reuters)
Lukaku bails out Belgium against Egypt
Belgium, meanwhile, emerged from their opening game with Egypt with a point and a chance to grow into a tournament with clarity in attack. Emam Ashour overshadowed Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush after producing a goal of the tournament contender with a fizzing effort defeating Thibaut Courtois.
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But a frantic Belgium eventually salvaged a point after Romelu Lukuku came off the bench, amid fitness concerns, with his mere presence forcing Mohamed Hany to put through his own net. Atalanta's Charles De Ketelaere had started, but now the Red Devils could pursue a familiar choice up top in Sunday's clash with Iran.
Spain slip-up opens possibility of Argentina last 32 clash
Déjà vu? Spain were left stunned in another examination of their style and whether it works without Lamine Yamal and, to a lesser extent Nico Williams. That's after Cape Verde held them in a goalless stalemate. It felt like a win for Cape Verde, a nation of approximately 500,000 people, while Spain's point feels like a loss, having entered the tournament as favourites. If not a crisis, there will be panic spreading throughout La Roja's camp. But 2010 saw them come unstuck against Switzerland and they went on to win the tournament, though 2014 was a thrashing at the hands of the Netherlands, with a more abrupt, painful consequence to end the tiki-taka era. It is too soon to dismiss Spain, but this slip pushes them towards a potential last 32 tie with Argentina in Miami, delicious for the neutral, though Spain's fans may view that prospect with outright trepidation.
Lamine Yamal #19 of Spain in action (Getty)
Uruguay denied in reprieve for Spain
In the other Group H game, with Uruguay and Saudi Arabia handed a chance to launch a bid to top the group and send Spain into a probable last 32 tie with Argentina, Miami. But after threats of lightning in the area, both teams are still searching for a thunderous finish after a 1-1 stalemate . Abdulelah Al-Amri gave the Green Falcons the lead, but Uruguay fiercely hit back in the second half and deservedly earned a point thanks to Maxi Araujo. A reprieve for Spain, then.
So... that was four draws in one day for just the second time in World Cup history and the first time for 68 years.
