Three groups reached their conclusion on June 26, and the goals came in torrents. From a blistering French hat-trick to the biggest win by an African nation in World Cup history, the closing round of Groups G, H and I delivered plenty to remember before the knockout stage takes over.
Dembele's Blitz Sends France Through Unbeaten
Ousmane Dembele needed just 25 minutes to complete a hat-trick against Norway, striking in the 7th, 20th and 32nd minutes, with Kylian Mbappe teeing up one of the three, as France ran out 4-1 winners. Thelo Aasgaard pulled one back for Norway just 14 seconds after the second-half restart, but Desire Doue restored the gulf with an injury-time fourth. With Erling Haaland and nine other regulars rested by Norway for a game that carried little jeopardy for either side's qualification, France finished the group with a perfect record, winning all three games for the first time since 1998. In the group's other fixture, Senegal produced the standout result of the day, thrashing Iraq 5-0 in what stands as the biggest win by an African nation in World Cup history. Habib Diarra, Ismaila Sarr, a Pape Gueye brace (one struck at a reported 132 km/h) and Iliman Ndiaye all found the net, while Iraq's afternoon worsened when Rebin Sulaka was sent off in the 13th minute for denying a clear goal-scoring chance on Sadio Mane. Iraq leave the tournament without a point in their first World Cup appearance since 1986. France top Group I, with Norway following through directly and Senegal sneaking through as one of the competition's best third-placed sides, setting up a Round of 32 meeting with Belgium.
Spain Perfect, Cape Verde Make History
Group H closed with Spain maintaining a flawless defensive record, edging Uruguay 1-0 through Alex Baena's 42nd-minute strike, which goalkeeper Fernando Muslera could not keep out and was withdrawn for at half-time. Uruguay's day worsened further when Agustin Canobbio was shown a straight red card in stoppage time for a lunge on Pau Cubarsi. Spain finish the group unbeaten and yet to concede. Alongside them, Cape Verde Islands secured a goalless draw with Saudi Arabia, a result that, remarkably, was enough to send the tiny island nation through as Group H runners-up - the smallest nation ever to reach a World Cup knockout round. Cape Verde actually had the better of the chances against the Saudis, finishing with the higher expected-goals tally despite failing to convert. Uruguay and Saudi Arabia are both eliminated, while Cape Verde's fairytale continues against Argentina in the Round of 32.
Belgium Survive a Battering, Egypt Edge Through
Group G served up goals in bunches too. Belgium eventually ran out 5-1 winners over New Zealand thanks to a Leandro Trossard double, a Kevin De Bruyne strike, a Romelu Lukaku header from a Nathan Raskin cross, and a stoppage-time finish from Alexis Saelemaekers, firing 35 shots at the New Zealand goal along the way. It was enough to take the group by goal difference despite two earlier draws. Egypt and Iran, meanwhile, shared a frantic 1-1 draw that swung on two goalkeeping errors: Mahmoud Saber pounced on a rebound after Alireza Beiranvand failed to hold a Mohamed Salah effort to put Egypt ahead in the 5th minute, before Ramin Rezaeian levelled for Iran in the 14th following a save from Egypt's Mostafa Shobeir. Shobeir then turned villain-to-hero by saving a Mehdi Taremi penalty after Mohamed Abdelmonem had fouled him in the box, while four yellow cards flew in a feisty first half and a late Shoja Khalilzadeh effort was ruled out for offside in the build-up. Belgium top the group, Egypt progress in second to face Australia in the Round of 32, and Iran's unbeaten but win-less campaign - three draws, three points - ends in elimination alongside New Zealand.
Looking Ahead
With Groups G, H and I now settled, the Round of 32 bracket is filling out fast. Senegal's reward for sneaking through as a third-placed side is a heavyweight test against Belgium, Cape Verde's underdog run continues against Argentina, and Egypt will fancy their chances against Australia. For France, Spain, and Belgium, the group phase could hardly have gone better - now the real test begins.