Sunday’s World Cup action features eight teams looking for their first win of this year’s tournament.
Lamine Yamal and Spain take on Abdulelah Al-Amri and Saudi Arabia in a Group H game in Atlanta. Romelu Lukaku and Belgium face Iran in Southern California, and New Zealand plays Egypt in another Group G game in Vancouver, British Columbia. Uruguay takes on tiny Cape Verde in the other Group H game.
Each of those eight countries opened with a draw, including a scoreless tie for No. 2 Spain against Cape Verde. Al-Amri scored for Saudi Arabia in a 1-1 game against Uruguay, and there was another 1-1 stalemate for Egypt versus Belgium. New Zealand played Iran to a 2-2 tie.
The four draws last Monday were the most in a single day at the men’s World Cup since 1958. That means Group G and Group H are wide open going into their second day of play.
Spain and Belgium are looking to establish themselves as championship contenders, while a win for Cape Verde would stamp the group of islands off Africa’s West coast as one of the tournament’s biggest surprises in its World Cup debut.
What to watch on June 21
—Spain vs. Saudi Arabia, 12 p.m. EDT in Atlanta (Fox/Telemundo/Peacock)
—Belgium vs. Iran, 3 p.m. EDT in Inglewood, California (FS1/Telemundo/Peacock)
—Uruguay vs. Cape Verde, 6 p.m. EDT in Miami Gardens, Florida (FS1/Telemundo/Peacock)
—New Zealand vs. Egypt, 9 p.m. EDT in Vancouver, British Columbia (FS1/Telemundo/Peacock)
Belgium missing key player against Iran
Belgium’s Jérémy Doku will not play against Iran because of an illness. The Manchester City winger has been ruled out for the match at SoFi Stadium.
The speedy Doku started Belgium’s World Cup opener and played into the 86th minute of its draw with Egypt. Doku reportedly left a practice early due to breathing issues during the week before the opening match.
Doku has been in the spotlight in recent days after telling reporters that he planned to leave the team if necessary for the birth of his first child during the World Cup. Doku’s wife is due in early July, during the knockout stages.
Belgium is 10th in FIFA’s world rankings, but it needs a strong result against Iran to stay on track to win its group. The Red Devils finish group-stage play against New Zealand on Friday.
More World Cup news
— US early success raising World Cup hopes and expectations
— Larger World Cup led to predictions of lopsided affairs. The results tell a different story
— Brazil’s Raphinha has hamstring injury and will undergo treatment
— World Cup fans flood stadiums with dazzling costumes and flags, in photos
— Netherlands beats Sweden in Houston and other World Cup Day 10 highlights, in photos
Stats of the day
The Netherlands reached 100 World Cup goals when Brian Brobbey scored twice in the first half of Saturday’s 5-1 victory over Sweden. It became the eighth country to hit that milestone, joining Brazil, Germany, Argentina, France, Italy, Spain and England.
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