Overview
- Spain beat Uruguay 1-0 after goalkeeper Fernando Muslera spilled Alex Baena’s 42nd-minute shot, a mistake that led to Muslera’s halftime substitution and confirmed Spain as Group H winners.
- Cape Verde held Saudi Arabia 0-0 and finished second in Group H with three draws to become the smallest nation to reach the World Cup knockouts, earning a Round of 32 meeting with Argentina in Miami on July 3.
- Uruguay’s elimination triggered a furious post-match reaction from coach Marcelo Bielsa and saw Agustín Canobbio sent off late as the team’s campaign ended without a win.
- France defeated Norway 4-1 with Ousmane Dembélé scoring a hat-trick to top Group I, while Senegal’s 5-0 win over Iraq left the Lions third in that group with a chance to advance as one of the best third-placed teams.
- Coaches used rotation across Day 16—Norway rested Erling Haaland—demonstrating how squad management and narrow group math under the 48-team format are shaping knockout seeding and sudden upsets.