Yamal and Salah light up matchday three as Cabo Verde stun Uruguay again
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Spain kickstarted their campaign with a 4-0 win over Saudi Arabia, Lamine Yamal scoring his first World Cup goal inside 10 minutes before Mikel Oyarzabal added a quickfire brace. An own goal completed the rout, according to ESPN, as Luis de la Fuente's side recovered from their opening goalless draw with Cabo Verde.
Egypt claimed their first World Cup win in history, coming from behind to beat New Zealand 3-1 in Vancouver. Mohamed Salah scored one and set up another, with Mostafa "Zizo" and Trezeguet also on target, Sky Sports reported; Salah, 34, became the oldest Egyptian to score at a World Cup.
Cabo Verde produced another upset, fighting back for a 2-2 draw with Uruguay to follow their goalless result against Spain. Kevin Pina's long-range free kick — the tiny island nation's first World Cup goal — and Hélio Varela's strike earned the point against the two-time champions, per Al Jazeera, after Maxi Araújo and Agustín Canobbio had put Uruguay ahead.
Belgium were held to a 0-0 draw by Iran in Los Angeles and finished with ten men, defender Nathan Ngoy sent off in the 66th minute. Despite registering 23 shots, Belgium lacked a cutting edge, and the result lifted Iran to the top of Group G, according to Sky Sports.
Transfer and squad notes
Spain continued to manage Yamal's fitness carefully, the 18-year-old withdrawn at half-time with the game already won as he builds back from a hamstring issue; he had been limited to a late cameo against Cabo Verde, with Spain previously signalling caution over his minutes.
Salah's milestone arrived against the backdrop of an uncertain club future, the Egypt captain now a free agent after leaving Liverpool; his tournament form keeps him prominent as the summer market unfolds, though no new club has been confirmed.
What it means for the league
Group H has become the tournament's surprise story, Cabo Verde's two draws leaving the debutants level on points with Uruguay and within range of Spain before the final round. Group G, meanwhile, has been blown open by Iran's resilience and Belgium's struggles in front of goal. Egypt's breakthrough adds to a strong showing from the competition's outsiders, and the closing group fixtures now carry heavy qualification stakes.