Uruguay Out, Belgium Top Group G, and Cape Verde Reach the Last 16

The group stage of the 2026 World Cup continued to deliver on Saturday, with Uruguay's elimination the day's most resonant story. A 1-0 defeat to Spain in Guadalajara — secured by Alex Baena after a Fernando Muslera error — confirmed Marcelo Bielsa's side would not advance, and within hours Bielsa announced he was leaving his post. That he accepted full responsibility after failing to win a single match in a group that included Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia spoke to the weight of the disappointment. Manuel Ugarte was stretchered off during the defeat, leaving Manchester United anxious about the extent of the injury.

Elsewhere, Belgium settled the Group G picture with a 5-1 thrashing of New Zealand, finishing as group winners on goal difference. Harry Kane broke England's all-time World Cup scoring record in a 2-0 win over Panama, while Scotland's exit from the tournament was confirmed. Spain, meanwhile, received better-than-feared news on Yéremy Pino and Nico Williams, both of whom avoided the worst injury scenarios after the Uruguay game.

The day's quiet triumph belonged to Cape Verde, who drew 0-0 with Saudi Arabia to reach the last 16 from a group containing two former world champions. They will face Argentina in Miami. South Africa, absent from the tournament since hosting it in 2010, also reached the knockout rounds for the first time in their history.