Cape Verde have written one of the most remarkable stories of the FIFA World Cup, becoming the smallest nation ever to reach the knockout stage in their tournament debut.

Only Paraguay have already played all three of their group matches -- the other four countries still have a group game to play but are already assured of playing in the knockout round of this 48-team World Cup.

Spain's 1-0 victory over Uruguay earned them top spot in the pool with seven points, while three draws were enough for Cape Verde to earn second place. Uruguay and the Saudis were both eliminated with two points.

Alex Baena's 42nd-minute strike settled an attritional battle in Spain's favour in Guadalajara that condemned the Uruguayans to an early exit.

Widely regarded as a pioneer of Japanese football, Zico admits the fixture carries special significance for him, but says there is no doubt where his loyalties lie.

Lionel Messi starts on the bench as Argentina take on Jordan in their final Group J match at Dallas Stadium on Saturday with coach Lionel Scaloni making nine changes to the side that defeated Austria in their previous match.

Austria and Algeria will play to win when they meet in their final World Cup Group J match, their coaches said on Friday, dismissing suggestions that avoiding victory could provide a more favourable route.

Senegal crushed 10-man Iraq 5-0 on Friday to remain in the running for a place in the round of 32 and end their opponents' hopes of reaching the World Cup knockout stages.

Ousmane Dembele scored one of the earliest hattricks in World Cup history on Friday as the Ballon d'Or winner starred in France's 4-1 win over a second-string Norway, while Erling Haaland watched on from the bench.

Ghana forward Antoine Semenyo says his team need to “gang around the referee” more often after their penalty shout in the World Cup group game against England went unreviewed.

Argentina defender Cristian Romero has progressed in his recovery by adding on-field training, the Argentine federation (AFA) said on Friday, after he was forced off with a knee injury in their 2-0 World Cup Group J win over Austria on Monday.

Norway striker Erling Haaland was left on the bench against France in the World Cup Group I match on Friday with both teams having qualified for the knockout stages.

According to Argentine broadcaster TyC Sports, Scaloni is set to hand World Cup debuts to several squad members while resting regular starters ahead of the round-of-32 clash next Saturday in Miami.

Medina also recalled his childhood in Villa Fiorito, the Buenos Aires neighbourhood where Diego Maradona grew up

Anthony Elanga's equaliser helped Sweden qualify for the World Cup's round of 32 following a 1-1 draw with Japan, but while his teammates were celebrating the result, the striker collapsed on the ground in frustration thinking they had not qualified.

Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann said his side, who had already qualified for the last 32 of the World Cup, had committed "tactical suicide" after Ecuador came from behind to beat the Germans 2-1 on Thursday.

The year 1982 gave football the infamous ‘Disgrace of Gijon,’ a match so transparently engineered by West Germany and Austria that FIFA rightfully decreed final group fixtures must henceforth kick off simultaneously.

The United States conceded a stoppage-time goal to lose 3-2 to Turkey on Thursday but coach Mauricio Pochettino said there was little reason for concern after his side still finished top of their World Cup group.

Ecuador President Daniel Noboa declared Friday a national holiday after the country's soccer team reached the knockout phase of the World Cup with a shock 2-1 win over Germany.

The FIFA World Cup 2026 group stage approaches its climax as Groups G, H and I conclude on a thrilling day of action on Matchday 16 -- Friday and also Saturday (Bangladesh Time).