Day 11 of the 2026 World Cup had a theme: the small nations refusing to lie down. Cape Verde provided the moment of the day, and possibly the tournament.
Spain Turn On the Style
Spain's opening act was spectacular enough. Against Saudi Arabia in Dallas, Lamine Yamal — finally given a full game after nursing an injury in the opener — opened the scoring with a composed finish after Oyarzabal's cross found him in the right place. Oyarzabal added a second himself when the ball pinballed around the Saudi box and fell kindly for him; Dani Olmo and Laporte were involved in the buildup in the way that only this Spanish team can manufacture. It finished 4-0 to Spain. Yamal was the player everyone came to see, and he did not disappoint. Spain look very, very dangerous.
The Little Nation That Won't Quit
Then came Cape Verde and Uruguay in Miami. This Cape Verde team — a small island nation in the Atlantic, playing in just their second World Cup — had already drawn 0-0 with Spain in a result that stunned the world. Now they faced Uruguay, one of South America's traditional giants, and they did it again. Uruguay took the lead through Agustín Cannobbio after Araújo's header was guided home. Cape Verde's response? Hélio Varela equalised after a goalkeeping calamity from Fernando Muslera. Two-two at the end. The Cape Verde players and fans celebrated as if they had won the group. They might well still do.
Salah's Day, Egypt's Moment
Egypt's match against New Zealand in Seattle produced the kind of story Mohamed Salah was made for. New Zealand opened the scoring through Finn Surman in the 15th minute. Egypt, with Salah orchestrating from every direction, responded through Mostafa Zico and then Salah's irresistible combination play unlocked the New Zealand defence for a third. Egypt 3-1 New Zealand — their first World Cup win since 1990, a year before half this squad was born.
Tension Without Goals in Kansas City
Finally, Belgium and Iran in Kansas City produced controversy and tension rather than goals. Belgium went down to ten men for the final half hour but managed to hold on for a 0-0 draw. It was not pretty. Both teams will need more in their final group game. Iran, in particular, will feel they should have taken all three points.