Monday 29 June 2026

World Cup day 11: Mohamed Salah sinks New Zealand after Cape Verde pull off heroics AGAIN

England fans react to the Three Lions winning their opening game of the World Cup

|

GB NEWS

Callum Vurley

By Callum Vurley


Published: 20/06/2026

- 15:05

Updated: 22/06/2026

- 04:06
Callum Vurley

By Callum Vurley


Published: 20/06/2026

- 15:05

Updated: 22/06/2026

- 04:06

Catch up with all today's World Cup coverage from GB News below

Day 11 of the World Cup saw four compelling group-stage encounters as teams look to strengthen their positions and edge closer to the knockout rounds.

Spain demolished Saudi Arabia 4-0 in Group H, with the European champions shining after their draw againt Cape Verde.


It was the island nation who once again got a result against one of the tournament's heavyweights, drawing 2-2 with Uruguay.

Then, Belgium stuttered to a 0-0 draw against Iran in Group G. Like in Group H, the day had started with every team on equal points.

But finally, Group G bedfellows Egypt moved clear, putting New Zealand to the sword 3-1 in the early hours.

FULL-TIME: New Zealand 1-3 Egypt

It's full time, and Mohamed Salah is the hero. The superstar came up with a goal and an assist late on to see off the All Whites and surely send Egypt through.

That's it for day 11 of this monumental World Cup. France, Argentina and Norway all return to the fray from 6pm tomorrow - and if last week is anything to go by, expect goals galore.

GOAL! New Zealand 1-3 Egypt

After ZIko got on the scoresheet earlier, now it's Trezeguet's turn... Mohamed Salah turns provider for the former Villa man - and he's surely won it for the Egyptians. 3-1!

GOAL! New Zealand 1-2 Egypt

New Zealand look shell-shocked. It's Mohamed Salah who steps up in the 67th minute to be Egypt's hero - for now...

GOAL! New Zealand 1-1 Egypt

Egypt get one back. It's Ziko with the header in what could be a momentous goal for Egypt. They play Iran next in the officially-designated "Pride Match"...

Back underway in Vancouver!

And we're back for the final half of day 11. New Zealand are a goal to the good. It's all to play for...

HALF-TIME: New Zealand 1-0 Egypt

Just 45 minutes to go for New Zealand - a win would be their first ever at a World Cup. Can the All Whites do it?

GOAL! New Zealand 1-0 Egypt

New Zealand take the lead! It's Finn Surman who heads home from a corner, and the seven-time African champions are left reeling!

KICK-OFF: New Zealand vs Egypt

We're underway!

New Zealand vs Egypt lineups announced

New Zealand: Crocombe; Cacace, Boxall, Surman, Payne; Stamenic, Bell; Just, Singh, McCowatt; Wood (C).

Egypt: Shobeir; Aboul-Fetouh, Fathy, Ibrahim, Hany; Lasheen, Attia, Ashour, Salah (C), Ziko; Marmoush.

FULL-TIME: Uruguay 2-2 Cape Verde

Another game against a former world champion, another point for Cape Verde. It finishes 2-2 in Miami.

Astonishingly, the African minnows are now in the driving seat for a runners-up finish in Group H. They now play a middling Saudi Arabia - while Uruguay will realistically have to beat the European champions to progress.

GOAL! Uruguay 2-2 Cape Verde

It's a second-ever World Cup goal for Cape Verde. Fernando Muslera races out of his box to try and claim the ball - but Helio Varela is there, snatches it away from the veteran goalkeeper, and brings his side back on terms. Game on!

Back underway in Miami

And we're back for the second half in Miami - where Uruguay have turned it around to lead first-timers Cape Verde.

It's a huge 45 minutes ahead for both countries. A win for either would surely guarantee them a place in the knockouts.

But it'll be even more vital for the South American side. They'll have to face a Spain team which just demolished Saudi Arabia...

HALF-TIME: Uruguay 2-1 Cape Verde

Uruguay lead at the break...

GOAL! Uruguay 2-1 Cape Verde

Bad to worse for Cape Verde, just when they needed it least. A steely Uruguay have turned it around, with the right-winger Canobbio firing home just before the half. 2-1!

GOAL! Uruguay 1-1 Cape Verde

Uruguay are back on terms just before the break!

It's Maxi Araujo with his second goal of the tournament to finally break the Cape Verde defence, which had gone more than 140 minutes without conceding...

GOAL! Uruguay 0-1 Cape Verde

Cue wild celebrations as Cape Verde's Kevin Lenini buries a sensational free-kick to open the scoring!

Lenini, who plies his trade in Russia, smashes it in and the debutants lead.

Uruguay vs Cape Verde underway

What's sure to be a hard-fought defensive battle between four-time winners Uruguay and debutants Cape Verde is now underway in Miami.

As a reminder, tonight's Uruguay XI is as follows: Muslera; Sanabria, Olivera, Caceres, Varela; Ugarte, Araujo, Valverde (C), Bentancur, Canobbio; Vinas.

Cape Verde: Vozinha; Cabral, Diney, Pico, Moreira; Lenini, Rodrigues, Monteiro, Arcanjo, Mendes (C); Tavares.

FULL TIME: Belgium 0-0 Iran

The points are shared here in Los Angeles as Iran hold on against Belgium, who were reduced to 10 men in the second half after Nathan Ngoy was sent off.

Both sides had excellent chances to take home all three points but both goalkeepers were in excellent form to keep a clean sheet each.

This has been a disappointing World Cup for Belgium, though, so far, but they can make amends when they play New Zealand next in their final group game.

A win will certainly see them through but Rudi Garcia's men have failed to impress.

Iran, meanwhile, will now fancy their chances to reach the knockout stage and take on Egypt knowing a win will see them through as well.

Red card!

Belgium defender Nathan Ngoy has been sent off! It is a horror error from the youngster, who does not get his pass back to Thibaut Courtois right at all.

And under immense Iranian pressure from Taremi, the 23-year-old puts an arm out and pulls him down.

As the last man, the referee had no choice but to brandish the red card and Belgium are down to 10 men.

Huge moment with just over 20 minutes to go!

Second half underway

Belgium looked lacklustre in the first half but credit to Iran, they have defended brilliantly.

The Belgians will be desperate for a victory after drawing their first match, and more dropped points will put them in a perilous position.

Iran, meanwhile, will go top of the group with a draw against Belgium - and after two games, will fancy their chances to reach the knockout stage.

A remarkable situation considering there were question marks over whether they would even be allowed in the United States.

GOA... No! Offside

We nearly had our first goal and it would have been an almighty shock after Iran score.

A clever free-kick routine finds talismanic striker Mehdi Taremi, who spins and shoots in a quick movement to leave Thibaut Courtois flat-footed.

However, a long VAR check curtails Iran's celebrations with Taremi inches offside - a huge let-off for Belgium.

Belgium vs Iran underway

The second match of the evening gets underway with Belgium playing Iran.

There were problems for Iran before a ball had even been kicked after their travel plans were scrapped at the last minute.

It meant that they only arrived in Los Angeles this morning, where tonight's match is being played at the SoFi Stadium.

Read more here.

Spain 4-0 Saudi Arabia

A late flurry from Spain sees Ferran Torres score but the goal was ruled out for offside after a very long VAR check.

Spain have largely just played keep-ball while the Saudis sat back, with both sides almost accepting the result after a pulsating first half from the European country.

Lamine Yamal scored after just 10 minutes before two goals from Mikel Oyarzabal made it 3-0 before half-time.

An own goal shortly after the break added gloss to the result, giving them an extra boost to their goal difference.

Belgium vs Iran is coming up next!

Second half underway - and a goal!

A thunderous half from the Spaniards and this game looks as good as over already as we start the second half.

And Spain boss Luis De La Fuente reckons so, too, opting to take off Yamal for Crystal Palace star Yeremy Pino.

Spain's other goalscorer Oyarzabal has also been roped off for Ferran Torres.

And we have a goal early after the break! It is an own goal after Cucurella's shot was saved but rebounds off Saudi defender Hassan Al Tambakti and into the net.

That is the eighth own goal of the World Cup already - for contest, there were just two at the Qatar World Cup four years ago.

Two more!

Spain are not hanging around this time, they've raced into a 3-0 lead after 24 minutes.

Saudi Arabia do not defend well from a corner and cannot clear their lines despite multiple opportunities.

A clever header finds Oyarzabal just yards from goal and he nudges the ball into the Saudi net.

And just moments later and Spain have another! Saudi Arabia are crumbling and it is Oyarzabal again!

Top play from the Spanish, who are flooding the box with players - a deep cross finds Marc Cucurella, who nods it back to Dani Olmo, who finds Oyarzabal with a quick pass.

The 29-year-old makes no mistake from close range.

This could be a long day for the Gulf state...

Spain goal!

Lamine Yamal gives Spain lift-off!

He was sorely missed against Cape Verde and within 10 minutes of his first World Cup start, the 18-year-old puts Spain ahead.

But it was all about the sensational cross from Mikel Oyarzabal, who drills in a low ball across the Saudi defence.

There's nothing the defenders or goalkeeper can do as the ball finds Yamal at the far post, who has the simple task of tapping in.

Spain vs Saudi Arabia gets underway

Spain are looking for their first win of the World Cup after a shock 0-0 draw against Cape Verde on Monday.

Lamine Yamal and Dani Olmo start the match as the pre-tournament favourites look to put their turgid start behind them in Group H.

Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, also drew their opener in a credible result against Uruguay.

It leaves the group still completely wide open.

Klopp hits back

Jurgen Klopp has publicly dismissed Rafael van der Vaart's stinging assessment of Virgil van Dijk, declaring the former Tottenham midfielder's views irrelevant until he offers praise for any footballer.

The ex-Liverpool manager, currently serving as a pundit for MagentaTV at the World Cup, responded to Van der Vaart's criticism with characteristic directness.

"I don't know if it's worth naming Rafael van der Vaart at all," Klopp stated.

"But if he ever says something positive about a player, I'm willing to take him seriously again."

Read more here.

"Rashford must play"

Marcus Rashford celebrates after scoring England's fourth and final goal against CroatiaMarcus Rashford celebrates after scoring England's fourth and final goal against Croatia | GETTY

Former Spain and Premier League midfielder Gaizka Mendieta believes Thomas Tuchel must start Marcus Rashford for England against Ghana on Tuesday evening.

Speaking to PlayUK, Mendieta said: "Marcus Rashford deserves to be an England starter; England fans haven't seen enough of his time at Barca to realise how good he's been.

"This happens a lot. Fans watch highlights and they think he's not been good or he's been okay. No, if you see him regularly, as I have, Marcus Rashford has been very good.

"His assists, goals, tactical involvement, and scoring have been important for the team. He's played in different positions, showing flexibility and adaptability to different challenges.

"Again, it depends on how Thomas Tuchel wants to play, but if I was manager, he deserves to start in the lineup, based on his performances."

Bellingham on God Save The King

Jude BellinghamJude Bellingham has revealed that singing the national anthem reminds him of his late grandad | GETTY


England midfielder Jude Bellingham has revealed that singing the national anthem reminds him of his late grandad.

The 22-year-old Real Madrid player was passionately singing God Save the King before the Three Lions' 4-2 win over Croatia to kick off the tournament.

He said: "I think the anthem is the last chance you get to really be mindful of the people who have got you there and what it means to be from England."

The midfielder added: "I think about my grandad, who passed away just before my England debut. He was so patriotic."

Read more here.

FULL TIME: Tunisia 0-4 Japan

Tunisia has been knocked out of the World Cup after a thunderous four goal victory by Japan.

The Tunisian side took a chance by changing manager after their 5-1 loss to Sweden.

But Herve Renard's side has now conceded nine goals in just two matches.

GOAL: Tunisia 0-4 Japan

Nightmare for Tunisia as Japan gets a fourth.

Cross comes in from Sano and Uena heads it towards his far corner.

GOAL: Tunisia 0-3 Japan

A composed finish from forward Ito.

Tunisia bottom of Group F as it stands.

SECOND HALF: Tunisia 0-2 Japan

Back underway in Monterey, Mexico, with Tunisia on the back foot.

This game marks the 1,000th match in FIFA World Cup history - that's a fun fact for you to drop at some point today.

HALF TIME: Tunisia 0-2 Japan

Half time and it has been Japan in control so far.

Tunisia has not been able to get any time on ball and are lucky to not be down another goal.

GOAL: Tunisia 0-2 Japan

It's a remarkable goal from just outside the box by Ueda in the 31st minute.

Incredible finish from the right side, not much the goalkeeper could do there.

KICK OFF AND GOAL: Tunisia 0 -1 Japan

The game has kicked off and there is already a goal.

Kamada with a tap in as the ball is squared in the fourth minute.

LINEUPS: Tunisia vs Japan

Changes for both Tunisia and Japan as lineups are confirmed.

Tunisia: Dahmen; Valery, Abdi, Talbi, Rekik, Bronn; Skhiri, Mejbri, Tounekti; Ben Slimane, Saad

Japan: Suzuki; Tomiyasu, Itakura, H Ito; Doan, Sano, Kamada, Nakamura, J Ito, Tanaka; Ueda

FULL TIME: Ecuador 0-0 Curacao

Curacao has achieved its first ever point in World Cup history.

The nation, which is the smallest by both population and land mass to ever qualify for the international competition has beat the odds by achieving this draw.

Curacao's goalkeeper Eloy Room made some incredible saves and will rightly garner high praise.

SECOND HALF: Ecuador 0-0 Curacao

Back in action in Kansas City Stadium - located in Missouri, not Kansas.

Curacao had already conceded three goals against Germany at this time last week.

HALF TIME: Ecuador 0-0 Curacao

We go into half time goalless, but there have been a few good chances from Ecuador.

Former West Ham man Enner Valencia had a cracking chance early in the game, and another good chance just after the hydration break.

KICK OFF: Ecuador vs Curacao

We are underway with Group E matchup Ecuador vs Curacao.

Ecuador setup with: Galindez, Franco, Pacho, Hincapie, Yeboah, Caicedo, Alcivar Vite, Estupinan, Plata, Valencia

Curacao's lineup is: Room, Fonville, Floranus, Obispo, Gaari, Brenet, Chong, L Bacuna, Comenencia, J Bacuna, Locadia

And while this reporter was writing out the lineup there was already a very good attempt by Ecuador, saved by Room.

FULL TIME: Germany 2-1 Ivory Coast

Germany have made it to the last 32 of the World Cup

Germany have made it to the last 32 of the World Cup

|

REUTERS

Germany are through to the last 32 of the World Cup after beating the Ivory Coast 2-1.

The Germans dug deep and a brace from Deniz Undav gives them all three points, seeing them through to the knockout stages.

Heartbreak for the Ivory Coast, who were fantastic throughout, but it wasn't enough.

Ecuador versus Curacao in the other game of Group E to come from 1am.

GOAL: Germany 2-1 Ivory Coast

The Germans have stolen it! It's Deniz Undav again, who takes a brilliant touch and swivels to then smash home past Yahia Fofana.

This game felt like it would go right down to the wire, begging for a moment of magic.

Undav is the man to produce it! The Ivory Coast have been brilliant, it's heartbreaking for them. Germany ahead, 2-1.

GOAL: Germany 1-1 Ivory Coast

Germany are back level against the Ivory Coast

Germany are back level against the Ivory Coast

|

REUTERS

All square! The Germans have had to be incredibly patient, but they finally get their goal.

Julian Nagelsmann's substitutes come of age, as Deniz Undav on for Jamal Musiala scores on the volley to put Germany level.

They've got the momentum and could win this game. 1-1.

SECOND HALF: Germany 0-1 Ivory Coast

A huge 45 minutes ahead of us. Germany have to come out firing.

Updates to follow.

HALF TIME: Germany 0-1 Ivory Coast

The Ivory Coast are ahead against Germany

The Ivory Coast are ahead against Germany

|

REUTERS

It's no-more than the Ivory Coast deserve, who have been brilliant in this first half.

Germany find themselves behind with the Ivory Coast in front, thanks to Franck Kessie.

The Germans have had the ball in the Ivory Coast's net twice, but on both occasions there was a foul in the build-up.

The Ivory Coast on course to make it two wins from two, Germany need an answer. Second half to follow.

GOAL: Germany 0-1 Ivory Coast

This wasn't in the script! The Ivory Coast have taken the lead against Germany.

A ricochet in the penalty area falls to Al Ahli midfielder Franck Kessie, who tucks it away and gives his side the lead.

Germany have had their chances but haven't taken them. The Ivory Coast punished. 1-0.

KICK OFF: Germany vs Ivory Coast

We are underway between Germany and the Ivory Coast.

LINEUPS: Germany vs Ivory Coast

Lineups confirmed for Germany's contest against the Ivory Coast, with an unchanged team named by Julian Nagelsmann.

Germany setup with: Neuer, Kimmich, Tah, Schlotterbeck, Brown, Nmecha, Pavlovic, Sane, Musiala, Writz, Havertz

The Ivory Coast's lineup is: Fofana, Singo, Kossounou, Agbadou, Konan, Diallo, Kessie, Sangare, Diomande, Bonny, Oulai.

FULL TIME: Netherlands 5-1 Sweden

A terrific performance from the Dutch, winning 5-1 against Sweden.

Two goals from Brian Brobbey and Cody Gakpo, capped off by a cracking finish from Crysencio Summerville, sends a message to the rest of the competition.

The Dutch have arrived.

Germany against the Ivory Coast to come, lineups to follow.

GOAL: Netherlands 5-1 Sweden

Crysencio Summerville has got his name on the scoresheet

Crysencio Summerville has got his name on the scoresheet

|

REUTERS

That's the game. Crysencio Summerville has got his name on the scoresheet with a brilliant goal from distance.

The West Ham winger sets himself into a great position and accurately picks out the bottom-left corner.

Superb by the Dutch, Sweden getting beaten by the same scoreline they won in their opening game. 5-1.

GOAL: Netherlands 4-1 Sweden

Well well well. Anthony Elanga has got himself on the scoresheet with a brilliant finish past Bart Verbruggen.

A clever strike, slotting past the Brighton goalkeeper in style.

They couldn't, could they?

GOAL: Netherlands 4-0 Sweden

Devastating. An incredible counter-attack after Alexander Isak gave the ball away sees Cody Gakpo pick up the ball on the left-hand side.

He cuts inside on his stronger right-foot and finishes superbly, drilling hard and low into the bottom left corner as the Netherlands make it four.

This is the Dutch we know. Game as good as done unless there is a Swedish miracle. 4-0.

GOAL: Netherlands 3-0 Sweden

You would have thought the Swedes would have learned the first two times, but again the ball is played out to the right flank, drilled across the six-yard box and tapped home from close range.

Denzel Dumfries the provider, Cody Gakpo the goalscorer, Ronald Koeman can't take the smile off his face.

Netherlands three up.

SECOND HALF: Netherlands 2-0 Sweden

Crysencio Summerville has come on for the Netherlands as Donyell Malen makes way.

Sweden need a big second half, the Dutch on course to go top of the group before Japan play Tunisia later.

HALF TIME: Netherlands 2-0 Sweden

The Netherlands have the lead at the end of the first half, with two goals from Brian Brobbey separating the two sides.

Sweden were second best for the opening 40 minutes, finally finding their form in the last 10 but could not dig out a goal.

Second half to follow, the Dutch in control.

Netherlands 2-0 Sweden - Swedes thought they had one back

Sweden thought they had pulled one back after Gustaf Lagerbielke headed past Bart Verbruggen, but fortunately for the Dutch, the big centre-half had strayed into an offside position.

Michael Oliver confirmed the offside after it was checked by our VAR today Jarred Gillett, some familiar names to Premier League fans.

Still 2-0, Sweden ending the first-half well.

GOAL: Netherlands 2-0 Sweden

It's two! It could not be going better for the Netherlands.

Brian Brobbey is there again, making an absolute nuisance of himself in the penalty area.

Denzel Dumfries puts in a fantastic ball, like a carbon copy of the first goal, which Brobbey tucked home from close range.

Sweden not at the races. 2-0 to the Netherlands.

GOAL: Netherlands 1-0 Sweden

The Dutch have taken the lead against Sweden

The Dutch have taken the lead against Sweden

|

REUTERS

The Dutch have taken the lead in the opening five minutes, thanks to Sunderland's Brian Brobbey.

A fantastic piece of hold-up play by the big centre forward sees the ball moved onto the left-hand side to Cody Gakpo.

The Liverpool winger rolled a great pass into the six-yard box, which Brobbey tucked home from close-range.

A dream start for Ronald Koeman's side. 1-0.

KICK OFF: Netherlands 0-0 Sweden

We are underway between the Netherlands and Sweden. Plenty of talent on display, goals a given.

Sea of orange in Houston

Sea of orange in Houston

There is a sea of orange in Houston

|

REUTERS

There is a sea of orange in Houston as the Dutch fans come in their numbers to support their side against Sweden.

It's a must-win for the Netherlands today, who come into the game as favourites, but they will need to be on their A-game to prevent the strike force of Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres.

LINEUPS: Netherlands vs Sweden

First game of day 10 takes us to Houston for the Netherlands up against Sweden.

The lineups has been confirmed, as the Dutch start with: Verbruggen, Dumfries, Van Dijk, Van Hecke, Van de Ven, Gravenberch, De Jong, Reijnders, Malen, Brobbey, Gakpo.

Sweden's team reads: Nordfeldt, Lagerbielke, Hien, Lindelof, Karlstrom, Bernhardsson, Nygren, Ayari, Gudmundsson, Gyokeres, Isak.

Kick off in just under an hour.

EXPLAINER: Why are Turkey and Haiti out of the World Cup?

Turkey and Haiti have both been knocked out of the World Cup as a result of Fifa's revised group-stage tiebreak rules.

Although it initially appeared possible for either side to finish third and qualify as one of the tournament's best third-placed teams, the new regulations make that impossible.

Fifa now ranks teams level on points by their head-to-head records before considering goal difference, a significant change that has altered the qualification picture.

In Group D, Turkey's defeats to Australia and Paraguay mean they are guaranteed to finish bottom of the standings, regardless of the outcome of their final match against co-hosts the USA.

Similarly, Haiti's losses to Scotland and Brazil have condemned them to last place in Group C, leaving their final game against Morocco with no bearing on their position.

Read the full rundown of the rule change here.

Netherlands prepare to face Sweden

Ronald Koeman

Ronald Koeman accepted responsibility for making poor substitutions in the Netherlands contest against Sweden

|

REUTERS

In arguably the biggest game of day 10 from 6pm, the Netherlands are in action against Sweden.

The Dutch need a win after drawing 2-2 in their opening game against Japan, who are up against underdogs of the group Tunisia from 5am.

Sweden are in control of Group F after their commanding 5-1 win over Japan, with Brighton's Yasin Ayari scoring twice.

Netherlands head coach Ronald Koeman shared that he hopes for a better impact from his substitutes, holding his hands up for making the wrong changes in their opening World Cup game.

He said: "First of all, the impact or influence of the substitutions was not positive and I am accountable for that of course. I accept criticism towards me. It's not an issue.

"I took my decision because I spoke with my staff. I also made clear what I did want to change. We should have pressed more, high on the pitch, and we were not able to do that. We want to convey this message to the players."

More From GB News

This Liveblog has now been closed.