Day 11 Highlights-Spain Announce Themselves as Contenders. Iran Frustrate 10-Man Belgium

Groups G & H · Atlanta · Los Angeles · Miami · Vancouver

• Spain vs Saudi Arabia  —  4 – 0  — Group H —  Atlanta —  Mercedes-Benz Stadium
• Belgium vs Iran — 0 – 0 —  Group G · Los Angeles — SoFi Stadium

Day 11 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 sent a clear message to the tournament. Spain returned with a vengeance. Lamine Yamal lit up Atlanta. And Iran proved they refuse to be pushed around.

Four matches ran on Sunday, June 21. Groups G and H both delivered drama in very different ways. Spain produced a clinical masterclass. Belgium gave away a red card and could not score. Egypt came from behind to beat New Zealand. And Cape Verde held Uruguay to a thrilling 2-2 draw.

Here is a full breakdown of every key moment from Day 11.

Spain 4-0 Saudi Arabia — Group H

Spain came into this game under pressure. A 0-0 draw against Cape Verde in their opener stunned everyone. Critics questioned the team. Lamine Yamal was not fit enough to start. Everything felt uncertain.

Day 11 changed all of that

Coach Luis de la Fuente handed Yamal his first start of the tournament. The 18-year-old needed just 10 minutes to answer every question. Mikel Oyarzabal played a cross from the left. Yamal slid in at the back post and finished calmly. Spain had their first World Cup goal. The teenager had his first World Cup goal.

"It's special. I've always dreamed about being at a World Cup and being able to score in my first start is a dream. I watched the last World Cup in class at school." — Lamine Yamal, Spain

After 2,500 passes and 50 attempts across their opening game, Spain finally found the net. And they did not stop there.

Oyarzabal doubled the lead from a corner. Dani Olmo and Aymeric Laporte worked the ball into the box. Laporte nodded it down and Oyarzabal bundled it home. Three minutes later, he completed his brace. Pedro Porro floated a pass into the area. Olmo headed it on. Oyarzabal volleyed it into the net.

Spain led 3-0 at half-time. De la Fuente took off both Yamal and Oyarzabal to manage their minutes. The game was already won.

The fourth came early in the second half. Marc Cucurella fired a shot from a corner. Saudi goalkeeper Mohammed al-Owais blocked it. The ball ricocheted off defender Hassan al-Tambakti and rolled into the net.

• 4  —  Goals scored
• 10 — Mins to open score
• 8th —  Youngest WC scorer in history (Yamal)
• 2 —  Goals Oyarzabal

Why This Matters

Spain move to four points in Group H. They lead the standings. Yamal's fitness is no longer a concern. Oyarzabal looks sharp after a difficult opener. And the full team — when firing — looks genuinely dangerous.

Saudi Arabia stay on one point. They face Cape Verde in their final group game and must win to have any hope of progression.

Group H Standings after MD2

Belgium 0-0 Iran — Group G

Belgium arrived at SoFi Stadium needing three points. Iran arrived needing a point to stay alive. Only one team got what they came for.

The match started with Belgium on top. Youri Tielemans drove Belgium's passing game forward. Romelu Lukaku led the line but looked short of match sharpness. Jeremy Doku was unavailable due to illness. Kevin De Bruyne showed flashes but could not unlock the Iranian defence consistently.

Iran goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand made a fine save to deny Tielemans early on. Thibaut Courtois also kept Belgium level with two excellent stops from Iranian attacks. Mehdi Taremi had a goal ruled out by VAR for offside after converting a clever free-kick.

The turning point arrived in the 66th minute.

Red Card — Nathan Ngoy (66')

Belgium defender Nathan Ngoy played a short backpass toward Courtois from 40 yards out. The ball died on the pitch. Iran striker Mehdi Taremi read it instantly, intercepted, and raced toward goal. Ngoy grabbed Taremi's shoulder and pulled him back. Argentine referee Darío Herrera showed a straight red. Belgium played the final 24 minutes with 10 men.

Iran took control after the red card. They created chances but could not put the ball in the net. Belgium defended desperately. The game ended 0-0.

Belgium finished with 23 shots and an expected goals total of 1.8. That is their most shots in a World Cup game without scoring since 1994 against Saudi Arabia when they had 28.

"This is a team coming out the other side of an era in which they were blessed with lots of talent. They look like a faded force." — Sky Sports analysis after Belgium vs Iran.

Iran Now Lead Group G

Iran sit top of Group G on goals scored. Both Belgium and Iran have two points each. Both face must-win scenarios in their final group games. Iran play Egypt. Belgium face New Zealand.

Group G Standings after MD2

Other Day 11 Results

Uruguay 2-2 Cape Verde — Group H, Miami

Cape Verde again refused to lie down. The minnows earned their second draw of the tournament. They match Uruguay at 2-2 in Miami. Cape Verde now have two points from two games and are alive in Group H going into the final matchday.

Egypt 3-1 New Zealand — Group G, Vancouver

Mohamed Salah led Egypt to their first win of the World Cup. New Zealand took an early lead through Finn Surman's header from a corner. But Egypt turned it around with three goals. Salah inspired the comeback and Egypt now sit on three points and top Group G heading into the final game.

What To Watch Next

The final round of Group G and H games are on the horizon. Every match has knockout consequences.

Spain face Uruguay in a potential Group H decider. Cape Verde take on Saudi Arabia with both sides fighting for survival. Belgium must beat New Zealand to stay alive. Iran know a win against Egypt sends them through.

Day 11 gave the 2026 World Cup two defining stories. Yamal is back. And nobody is writing off Iran.