Cape Verde and Belgium Through as Uruguay Head Home

It was a historic night for Cape Verde, who became the smallest nation in World Cup history to reach the knockout rounds.

A 0-0 draw against Saudi Arabia was enough to see them qualify in second place behind Spain in Group H, and their reward is a Last-32 tie against defending champions Argentina next week.

The Spaniards, meanwhile, sent Uruguay packing with a 1-0 win in Zapopan, Mexico. Alex Baena was the matchwinner, with a shot on the turn that somehow trickled past veteran Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera, who was replaced at half-time just moments later.

La Roja’s place in the knockouts was already confirmed, with their most likely opponent being Austria next Thursday.

Elsewhere, Belgium stormed to the top of Group G after hammering New Zealand 5-1. A brace from Leandro Trossard was bulked up by goals from Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Saelemaekers.

They’ll definitely be joined in the next round by Egypt, who played out an entertaining 1-1 draw with Iran in Seattle, with the Iranians now anxiously waiting to see if they’ll join them as one of the best third-placed sides.

Both the goals came in an action-packed first quarter of an hour. First, Mahmoud Saber put Egypt ahead in the fifth minute after finding the net through a crowd of players, before Iran’s Mehdi Taremi saw his penalty saved.

But shortly after, Ramin Rezaeian restored parity, and his side will make the knockouts if one of Algeria or D.R. Congo fail to win early on Sunday morning.

The overnight games followed the conclusion of Group I, where France and Senegal secured emphatic victories.

An Ousmane Dembele hat-trick in the first half blew an understrength Norway away in a 4-1 win, while Senegal, who needed a big win to have a chance of reaching the knockouts, thrashed Iraq 5-0 in Toronto.

A fortunate Habib Diarra goal in the fourth minute put Senegal on their way, and after Rebin Sulaka was sent off for denying Sadio Mane a goal scoring opportunity, the African side let rip in the second half.

A brace from Pape Gueye was bookended by goals from Ismaila Sarr and Iliman Ndiaye, in a hammering that should be enough to send Senegal through.