Japan marked the 1,000th match in World Cup history by becoming the first Asian team to win a tournament match with four goals, while the United States won back-to-back World Cup games for the first time in 96 years.
Egypt beat New Zealand for the country’s first World Cup win, and debutants Cape Verde took another point off a major opponent to strengthen their hopes of reaching the knockout stage.
The weekend began with the United States beating Australia 2-0 for a second straight win in Group D, following up their opening 4-1 victory over Paraguay.
The result sent the U.S. into the knockout stage as the second co-host to advance after Mexico. It also gave the Americans back-to-back World Cup victories for the first time since the inaugural 1930 tournament and their first two-win start since the group-stage format was introduced.
That left Turkey with the unwanted distinction of producing the most shots without scoring by a team eliminated after its first two World Cup group matches.
The results left the United States firmly in control of Group D, while Turkey’s exit turned the final round into a fight for the remaining places behind the co-hosts.
In Group C, Morocco beat Scotland 1-0 thanks to Ismael Saibari’s winner just 71 seconds into the match, while Brazil claimed their first win by beating Haiti 3-0 behind two goals from Matheus Cunha and another from Vinicius Junior.
Japan then delivered one of the weekend’s defining performances, beating Tunisia 4-0 in Monterrey in a Group F match that marked the 1,000th game in World Cup history.
Daichi Kamada opened the scoring in the fourth minute, Ayase Ueda struck twice and Junya Ito also found the net, making Japan the first Asian team to score four goals in a World Cup match and win.
Ecuador and Curacao played out a 0-0 draw, with Curacao goalkeeper Eloy Room making 15 saves to earn the country its first World Cup point.
The results kept Japan and the Netherlands on course for a decisive meeting at the top of Group F, while Germany joined the United States in the knockout stage with a game to spare.
Sunday’s matches began with Spain restoring some order in Group H after their opening 0-0 draw with Cape Verde.
Spain beat Saudi Arabia 4-0 at Atlanta Stadium, with Lamine Yamal scoring the opener in the 10th minute and Mikel Oyarzabal adding two goals. Saudi defender Hassan Al-Tambakti also turned the ball into his own net early in the second half.
The win moved Spain to four points, while Saudi Arabia’s heavy defeat wiped away much of the momentum from their opening 1-1 draw with Uruguay.
Spain moved top of Group H, but the group remained open with Cape Verde and Uruguay still waiting later in the day.
In Group G, Belgium and Iran drew 0-0 in Los Angeles, leaving both teams unbeaten but unable to take full control of the group.
Belgium were reduced to 10 men in the 66th minute after Nathan Ngoy was sent off for stopping Mehdi Taremi’s clear scoring chance, but Iran failed to dominate even with a man advantage.
Goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand made key saves to keep Iran level, but the result again pointed to the toll of repeated travel and unsettled preparation. Iran have now drawn both of their matches after opening with a 2-2 draw against New Zealand.
Cape Verde’s unlikely run continued in Group H as the debutants drew 2-2 with Uruguay at Miami Stadium, taking another point from one of the group’s established powers.
Kevin Pina scored Cape Verde’s first World Cup goal with a free kick in the 21st minute, but Uruguay turned the match around before halftime through Maxi Araujo and Agustin Canobbio.
Cape Verde hit back in the 61st minute through Helio Varela and held on for another valuable point.
A win over Saudi Arabia in their final group match would secure a top-two finish and send Cape Verde into the knockout stage, while a draw could still be enough through the third-placed team ranking.
That result kept Group H alive until the final round. Spain lead the group, but Cape Verde and Uruguay remain level on two points, leaving Cape Verde with a real chance to extend their debut campaign.
The final match of the weekend brought another landmark as Egypt beat New Zealand 3-1 to claim their first World Cup victory.
New Zealand took the lead in the 15th minute through Finn Surman and appeared to be closing in on their own first World Cup win, but Egypt came alive after halftime.
Mostafa Ziko equalized in the 59th minute before Mohamed Salah put Egypt ahead in the 67th. Trezeguet sealed the win in the 82nd minute, giving Egypt their first victory in their ninth World Cup match.
Salah, who endured a difficult club season before ending his time with Liverpool, delivered when Egypt needed him most and again became the country’s hero.
New Zealand, meanwhile, failed to protect a lead for the second time after their 2-2 draw with Iran. Their unbeaten run ended, and their wait for a first World Cup win continues.
Egypt’s win changed the shape of Group G. Belgium and Iran remain unbeaten but stuck on two draws, while Egypt now have the clearest momentum going into the final round.
New Zealand, 16 years after their last World Cup appearance, are again in danger of an early exit.
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