World Cup 2026: Egypt break curse as Yamal responds, Iran and Cape Verde surprise | OneFootball

Day 11 of the 2026 World Cup brought a Spain surge, Egypt history and a spike in disciplinary drama. Egypt claimed their first ever World Cup win. El Pais reports that hydration breaks are shaping matches.

Lamine Yamal, fit to start after a quiet opener, struck on 10 minutes from Mikel Oyarzabal’s cross. Oyarzabal then scored twice and Hassan Al-Tambakti’s own goal sealed it. Post-match, Yamal shared Saudi fans chanting “Where is Yamal?”, captioning it “I’m here”.

Iran held Belgium 0-0, goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand named player of the match. Later, Cape Verde drew 2-2 with Uruguay, Kevin Lenini’s free-kick their first World Cup goal before Uruguay turned it around, then Helio Varela equalised to keep the Blue Sharks unbeaten.

Egypt came from behind against New Zealand, Ziko, Mohamed Salah and Trezeguet scoring after the break for 3-1. The Pharaohs top Group G and should make the next round.

Belgium’s Nathan Ngoy saw red against Iran, the tournament’s eighth dismissal, already matching 2018 and 2022 combined, both with four. The 2026 count is nearing 2014 in Brazil, 10, and 2010 in South Africa, 17, but remains far from 2006 in Germany, 28. Using xT to track control, hydration breaks flipped momentum in 43 percent of cases and halted it in 35 percent, with 44 of 56 stoppages altering the flow, 78.6 percent.

Source: Le Progres