Iran, Belgium and Saudi Arabia all drop points in a dramatic World Cup night

A surprise 0-0 between Spain and Cape Verde was followed by three straight draws overnight, as stronger teams all lost valuable points in the race to the next round of the 2026 World Cup.

In Group 7, Iran and New Zealand drew 2-2 amid heavy political tension around Iran’s participation. Despite FIFA’s ban, fans in the stands waved the Shah’s flag, also seen alongside Israeli flags, and booed the Iranian anthem. On the pitch, Elijah Just put New Zealand ahead twice, in the 7th and 54th minutes. Ramin Rezaian equalized in the 32nd minute, then assisted Mohammad Mohebbi’s header in the 64th minute for the final 2-2.

Also in Group 7, Belgium were held 1-1 by Egypt. Imame Ashour scored for Egypt in the 19th minute after a Mohamed Salah assist on his 34th birthday. Romelu Lukaku came off the bench in the 66th minute and quickly forced an own goal by Mohamed Elneny? No, the source names Mohamed Hani, whose own goal in less than a minute after Lukaku’s entry made it 1-1. The teams finished with the same number of shots on target and dangerous chances, three and two respectively, and Egypt felt aggrieved after a possible penalty was not given in the 92nd minute.

In Group 8, Saudi Arabia, led by former Maccabi Tel Aviv coach Giorgos Donis, drew 1-1 with Uruguay. Abdulalh Al-Amri scored for Saudi Arabia in the 41st minute, and Maximiliano Araujo equalized in the 80th. Saudi goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais, who also starred in the win over Argentina at the last World Cup, was credited as the game’s key figure after Uruguay fired 22 second-half shots, 10 on target. The report also notes that East Germany’s 24 first-half attempts against Chile in 1974 remain the World Cup record for shots in one half.