World Cup 2026 Roundup: Salah Makes History, Cape Verde Stuns Again, Japan Cruises

—
title: “World Cup 2026 Roundup: Salah Makes History, Cape Verde Stuns Again, Japan Cruises”
—

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, PC Master Deals earns from qualifying purchases.

—

# World Cup 2026 Roundup: Salah Makes History, Cape Verde Stuns Again, Japan Cruises

The 2026 World Cup continued to deliver drama across North America on Sunday, with historic firsts, stunning upsets, and the lingering ghost of Belgium’s Golden Generation. Here’s everything you need to know from Matchday 2 action.

—

## 🇪🇬 Egypt 3-1 New Zealand — Salah Ends 92-Year Wait

**Location:** Estadio Azteca, Mexico City

Mohamed Salah finally delivered the moment Egypt has been waiting 92 years for — a World Cup victory.

| Team | 1st Half | 2nd Half | Total |
|——|———-|———-|——-|
| New Zealand | 1 | 0 | **1** |
| Egypt | 0 | 3 | **3** |

**Goals:** Surman 15′ (NZL) — Zico 58′, Salah 67′, Trezeguet 82′ (EGY)

New Zealand took a shock lead through Finn Surman’s 15th-minute header from a Tim Payne corner, putting the All Whites on course for their first-ever World Cup win. But Egypt stormed back after halftime with three goals in 24 minutes. Mostafa Zico — named after the Brazilian legend — headed home the equalizer before Salah played a brilliant one-two with Zico and buried the go-ahead goal. The former Liverpool icon then turned provider, delivering a corner for substitute Trezeguet to seal it.

The result moves Egypt top of Group G. They’ll win the group outright if they beat Iran on Saturday.

—

## 🇨🇻 Cape Verde 2-2 Uruguay — Tiny Island Nation Does It Again

**Location:** Hard Rock Stadium, Miami

Cape Verde’s remarkable debut World Cup continued as they held two-time champions Uruguay to a pulsating draw.

| Team | 1st Half | 2nd Half | Total |
|——|———-|———-|——-|
| Cape Verde | 1 | 1 | **2** |
| Uruguay | 1 | 1 | **2** |

**Goals:** Pina 21′ (CPV), Araujo 40′ (URU), Canobbio 45+1′ (URU), Varela 78′ (CPV)

Kevin Pina opened the scoring with a long-range free-kick that deflected through the wall. Uruguay responded through Maxi Araujo and Agustin Canobbio before the break. But Helio Varela punished a defensive lapse from Mathias Olivera to equalize in the 78th minute. Federico Valverde had a late winner ruled out for offside.

Cape Verde now have two points from two games (following a 0-0 draw with Spain) and sit third in Group H, very much alive in the knockout race.

—

## 🇧🇪 Belgium 0-0 Iran — Red Devils’ Golden Generation Fades

**Location:** Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara

A sorry evening for Belgium as they played out a drab goalless draw with Iran — and finished with 10 men after Nathan Ngoy’s red card.

Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku looked miles off match fitness, prompting sharp criticism from pundits. “In terms of the quality of the game, I thought it was rubbish,” said Roy Keane. Patrick Vieira added: “Their two best players are not match-fit. You can see the lack of tempo.”

Belgium’s fate now goes to the final group game, but signs of decline are unmistakable for a generation that promised so much.

—

## 🇯🇵 Japan 4-0 Tunisia — Samurai Blue Send Tunisia Packing

**Location:** Estadio BBVA, Guadalupe, Mexico

Japan produced a clinical display to thump Tunisia and eliminate the Carthage Eagles from the tournament.

**Goals:** Kamada 4′, Ueda 22′, 73′, Ito 64′

It took Japan just four minutes to break through, with Daichi Kamada prodding home after a rapid counter-attack. Ayase Ueda was the star, scoring twice — including a lovely curling effort from the edge of the box. Tunisia, who sacked manager Sabri Lamouchi mid-tournament and appointed Herve Renard, never looked competitive.

Japan sit on four points in Group F and are likely to advance as one of the best third-placed teams at minimum.

—

## 🇪🇨 Ecuador 0-0 Curaçao — Room Equals Howard Record

**Location:** Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta

Curaçao earned their first-ever World Cup point, thanks to an astonishing goalkeeping display from 37-year-old Eloy Room.

Room made 15 saves — equaling Tim Howard’s World Cup record set against Belgium in 2014 — to keep Ecuador at bay. Ecuador mustered 27 shots but couldn’t beat the Miami FC keeper, who denied Enner Valencia, Moises Caicedo, and Gonzalo Plata among others.

—

## 📅 What’s Coming Up

England take on Ghana on Tuesday in Boston with Bukayo Saka returning to full training — a major boost for Thomas Tuchel’s side.

—

## ❓ FAQ

**Q: Can Cape Verde really make the knockout stage?**
A: Absolutely. With two draws against Spain and Uruguay, they sit third in Group H and need a result against whomever they face on Matchday 3 to advance to the last 32.

**Q: Is Belgium’s Golden Generation officially over?**
A: The evidence is mounting. De Bruyne (34) and Lukaku (33) have looked off the pace, and Belgium have reached the semifinals in only one of their last six major tournaments.

**Q: What does Egypt’s win mean for Group G?**
A: Egypt top the group with 4 points. A win over Iran on Saturday would secure first place and a spot in the knockout rounds — another historic first.

**Q: How big is Curaçao’s achievement?**
A: Massive. A Caribbean island nation with a population of just 150,000 earned their first World Cup point against a strong Ecuador side. Goalkeeper Eloy Room’s 15-save clean sheet is one of the greatest individual performances of the tournament.

—

*This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, PC Master Deals earns from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability are subject to change.*

—

**Follow PC Master Deals for continuous World Cup 2026 coverage, breaking news, and analysis throughout the tournament.**

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply