22 June 2026

Matchday 11 of the FIFA World Cup delivered another thrilling day of action as Spain rediscovered their rhythm, Cape Verde pulled off another surprise result, and Mohamed Salah produced a standout performance for Egypt.

Here’s a full rundown of everything that unfolded on matchday 11, including all the key highlights you may have missed overnight.

After a shaky start to their campaign, the reigning European champions finally hit top gear on their second outing. Spain’s earlier draw with Cape Verde had been one of the biggest shocks in World Cup history, but La Roja ensured there was no repeat of that slip-up this time around.

Lamine Yamal returned to the starting lineup, joined by Dani Olmo, Alex Baena, and Pedro Porro as manager Luis de la Fuente made several changes for the clash with Saudi Arabia.

As expected, Yamal opened the scoring, converting Mikel Oyarzabal’s cross within the first 10 minutes. Oyarzabal then added two quick goals of his own, giving Spain a commanding three-goal lead after just 24 minutes.

Though the tempo eased after the break, Spain’s dominance remained absolute. The victory was sealed when Saudi defender Hassan Tambakti inadvertently put the ball into his own net. It was a commanding display that served as a strong reminder of Spain’s quality and depth.

Belgium’s World Cup struggles, meanwhile, continued. No European side has appeared in more World Cups without lifting the trophy than Belgium, and that trend looks unlikely to change this summer. The so-called Golden Generation that emerged in the late 2010s — featuring stars like Thibaut Courtois, Kevin De Bruyne, and Romelu Lukaku — once again found themselves short of inspiration.

Belgium laboured against Iran and were held to another frustrating draw, having also split points with Egypt on matchday one. A superb save from Iranian goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand was among the game’s defining moments, leaving Group G finely balanced. Belgium now face New Zealand in a must-win final group fixture to stay alive in the tournament.

Cape Verde, on the other hand, continue to capture global attention. The tiny island nation — with a population of just over half a million — is making its World Cup debut but proving that it belongs on the biggest stage. After their heroic draw against Spain, the African underdogs struck again with a spirited 2-2 draw against two-time champions Uruguay.

Kevin Lenini etched his name into national history by scoring Cape Verde’s first-ever World Cup goal from a stunning free-kick. Uruguay responded swiftly to take a half-time lead, but the determined newcomers refused to bow out quietly.

Substitute Helio Varela seized on a poor pass from Mathias Olivera to slot home the equaliser just past the hour mark, sparking jubilant celebrations. Against all odds, Cape Verde remain firmly in contention for a place in the knockout rounds — a remarkable achievement for such a small nation.

Egypt, Africa’s most decorated football nation, also enjoyed a memorable evening. Despite their continental dominance — with more AFCON titles than any other side — the Pharaohs have long struggled to make an impact at the World Cup. Before this match, they had never registered a victory in nine previous tournament appearances.

When New Zealand took an early lead, it looked as though Egypt’s World Cup woes might continue. But the North Africans turned to their talisman, and Mohamed Salah delivered once again. After Mostafa Ziko equalised from Mohamed Hany’s precise cross, Salah took matters into his own hands, gliding into the box and finishing with trademark composure to put Egypt ahead.

The 34-year-old star wasn’t done yet — his pinpoint set-piece delivery found Mahmoud Trezeguet, who sealed the win with a decisive header. Egypt now stand on the brink of the knockout stages for the first time in their history, with Salah once again proving to be their guiding force.