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World Cup Friday takeaways: Joy for Cape Verde, heartbreak for Iran

Cape Verde players celebrate after the match as they qualify for the knockout stages of the World Cup. Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

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World Cup 2026 Friday takeaways: Joy for Cape Verde, heartbreak for Iran, business as usual for France

By Alyssa Clang | Last updated Jun 27, 2026 1:38 AM ET

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The 2026 FIFA World Cup continued on Friday with third-round group-stage action in groups G, H and I.

Heavyweights like France, Spain and Uruguay—plus exciting dark horses like Egypt, Senegal and Norway—all wrapped up their group stages and learned their tournament fates.

Here are the key takeaways from a full day of World Cup action:

Cape Verde made history

On a day when France and Spain were both in action, it was the tiny nation of Cape Verde that stole all the headlines. The newly-famous Blue Sharks drew 0-0 with Saudi Arabia to clinch a spot in the knockout rounds in their debut World Cup performance.

Cape Verde is now the smallest nation in history to qualify for the knockout rounds of a World Cup, and it did it with an undefeated record of three straight draws (two of which came against former World Cup winners in Spain and Uruguay). It will take on Argentina—the defending tournament champion—in Miami, Florida, on July 3. Mark your calendars: it's set to be the biggest sporting event in Cape Verde's history.

Iran suffered a near-impossible indignity

No team has suffered more at this World Cup than Iran. Still, despite all its challenges—a last-minute training camp move to Tijuana, the inability to spend any real time in the States before its matches, a maelstrom of opinions in the media—it looked set to make history. It scored an injury-time winner against Egypt to lift it to second place in Group G and secure it a spot in the World Cup knockout rounds for the first time in its history.

Or did it? After five minutes of well-earned Iranian jubilation, referee Szymon Marciniak disallowed the goal for an offside offense that was more than questionable. The match finished 1-1, Egypt advanced to the knockout rounds in second place, and Iran found itself adrift, waiting one more agonizing day to see if its three points and even goal difference would be enough to earn it a third-place knockout berth.

@foxsoccer Iran nearly took the lead late in stoppage time, but the goal was disallowed after offside was called #FIFAWorldCup #EgyptvsIran #Reaction #soccertiktok #soccer ♬ original sound - FOXSoccer

If there's any solace to be found here for the Iranian national team, it's in its World Cup results themselves: three games and three draws mean that Iran has, quite literally, yet to be defeated. Still, the pain of losing this winning goal will linger. Soccer can be cruel, but it's rarely as cruel as this.

Uruguay returned to ugly habits

The last time we saw Uruguay at a World Cup, it was throwing an almighty temper tantrum after being eliminated at the group stage in Qatar. (Attacker Edinson Cavani punched a VAR monitor in frustration; it was a spectacularly petty display.)

Uruguay didn't enter this World Cup in strong form, but there was a strong sense that things couldn't wind up worse than they did in 2022. And look, they didn't: they just wound up the same, with Uruguay going home early while screaming at the referees. It's been a spectacular fall from grace for one of the world's most storied national soccer teams.

@foxsports
Agustín Canobbio is shown a red and things escalate in Guadalajara between Spain and Uruguay players
♬ original sound - FOX Sports

France, Senegal and Spain showed off their skills

France, playing against a heavily rotated Norway side that benched Erling Haaland, picked up its third win of the tournament in grand style. Paris Saint-Germain striker Ousmane Dembele scored a stunning hat trick that proved exactly why he won the Ballon D'Or in 2025.

Senegal, meanwhile, picked up its first win of the tournament against Iraq and finally showed exactly what it's capable of on the world stage. Its 5-0 win, led by Villarreal midfielder Pape Gueye, was Senegal's grand return to form after it was controversially stripped of its well-earned African championship earlier this year.

And Spain? It did something Spain hardly ever does: survive an ugly game without conceding silly goals or losing its head. Its calm, assured 1-0 win over Uruguay was exactly the kind of workmanlike performance that wins tournaments: not every game is a stunner.

The World Cup group stage will conclude on Saturday, with Argentina, England and Portugal all closing out their opening rounds.

Alyssa Clang

Alyssa is a Boston-born Californian with a passion for global sport. She can yell about misplaced soccer passes in five languages and rattle off the turns of Silverstone in her sleep. You can find her dormant Twitter account at @alyssaclang, but honestly, you’re probably better off finding her here

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