The fifth day of the 2026 World Cup group stage produced one of the tournament's most striking statistical oddities: all four matches played out as draws. The result that will be talked about longest came in Atlanta, where minnows Cape Verde held title favourites Spain to a scoreless stalemate, delivering a defensive masterclass few had predicted.
Spain arrived as overwhelming favourites, with most observers expecting Luis de la Fuente's side to have too much quality for their African opponents. Fans following the tournament closely on mobile, some even checking live updates through apps such as the 360 inr apk download latest version uptodown, watched a match that defied every pre-game expectation. Cape Verde's back line stood firm for the full 90 minutes, but it was 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha who stole the show, producing a string of remarkable saves to deny wave after wave of Spanish pressure.
De la Fuente turned to teenage sensation Lamine Yamal in the second half in search of a breakthrough, injecting pace and unpredictability into the attack. Cape Verde, however, refused to break, clinging to their shape and snatching a famous point against one of the pre-tournament title contenders.
Belgium and Egypt Share the Spoils in a Tight Contest
Elsewhere, Belgium and Egypt played out a 1-1 draw in a match defined by moments rather than sustained control. Egypt struck first through a well-placed effort from Emam Ashour, catching the Belgians off guard. Belgium's response came through misfortune rather than design, as Romelu Lukaku's pressure on Mohamed Hany forced an unfortunate own goal that levelled the score. Both goalkeepers, Thibaut Courtois and Mostafa Shoubir, were called into repeated action, while Kevin De Bruyne's effort off the post was a reminder of how close the match came to swinging Belgium's way.
Saudi Arabia Push Uruguay Late, Iran and New Zealand Share a Thriller
Saudi Arabia continued to underline the growing competitiveness of Asian football, testing a Uruguay side that struggled to find rhythm for long spells. Abdulelah Alamri gave the Saudis a deserved lead with a rebound finish, backed by a composed display from goalkeeper Mohammed Alowais. Uruguay needed until the 80th minute to find an equaliser, Maxi Araujo's goal sparing them from an upset defeat.
The day's most chaotic finish belonged to Iran and New Zealand, who shared four goals in a 2-2 draw. Elijah Just scored twice for the Oceania representatives, showcasing the kind of form that has earned New Zealand widespread praise on their World Cup return. Iran twice hit back, through Ramin Rezaeian and Mohammad Mohebbi, to salvage a point in a match that swung repeatedly from one side to the other.
Groups G and H Wide Open After Round One
With all four fixtures ending level, both Group G (Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand) and Group H (Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Cape Verde) sit perfectly balanced, every team on a single point. It marks the first time since the 1958 World Cup that a single day of the tournament has produced four draws. The pattern reflects a narrowing gap between traditional powers and emerging footballing nations, and it sets up a genuinely open picture heading into the next round of fixtures.
