World Cup 2026 LIVE: Mohamed Salah creates history for Egypt and Iran send new message after visa row – UK Times

Mohamed Salah has responded to Egypt’s 3-1 win over New Zealand

“It’s a great achievement for all the players,” he said. “It’s a great win. It’s a great vibe. The next game is very important.”

Former Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou, told ITV: “If there was any doubt about Mo’s impact on this team, you can still see it.

“It will give them enormous belief. They had to deal with adversity and their big player stood up and that will give them big confidence. You need your big players to perform to progress.”

Former Jamaica winger Jobi McAnuff added: “Just when he was needed, Mo Salah stood up for his country.”

There were 64,003 people in the stadium for the 2-2 draw between Cape Verde and Uruguay on Sunday night, none of them with a better how-they-got-there story than Ana Candida Evora — the mother of Vozinha, Cape Verde’s goalkeeper.Evora arrived in Miami on Friday, reunited with her son over the weekend and watched Sunday’s game from a suite at Miami Stadium. Cape Verde’s storybook ride now has a chance of reaching the knockout stage, depending largely on how its group stage finale against Saudi Arabia goes.

“I want to thank all the fans, everyone who helped in the process, for the support you gave to the team, especially to Cabo Verde,” Evora said Sunday in remarks distributed by FIFA in a video message before the match. “We’re all rooting for Cabo Verde to play well, to shine on the pitch. The players need to have faith and everything will go well.“Keep your heads held high, go onto that pitch, push for a goal and you’ll perform beautifully, my boys. A kiss for you, be strong and brave. Blue Sharks!”

Iran left a message in their SoFi Stadium locker room on Sunday thanking Los Angeles for its hospitality during the World Cup and saying they are leaving with dignity after a 0-0 draw with Belgium kept alive their hopes of reaching the knockout stages.

Iran have spent the tournament based in Tijuana commuting to the U.S. for their matches because of restrictions surrounding their stay in the country, while a number of Iran’s team staff and officials have been banned. U.S. officials have said the squad’s travel arrangements would continue to be assessed, while discussions over ‌easing some restrictions have continued.

“From the ancient Persia of thousands of years ago to the civilized Iran of today, the spirit of Iran remains alive and steadfast,” read the handwritten note, which was released by Iran’s football federation. “Thank you Los Angeles for your hospitality.

“We came to Los Angeles with pride, competed with honor, and leave with dignity.” The note also thanked Iranian supporters who gave their “heart, voice and soul” for the team during the two matches ‌and ended with a call for peace, respect ​and friendship among all nations.

World Cup favourites Spain underlined their credentials with a comprehensive 4-0 victory over Saudi Arabia in Atlanta, spearheaded by starlet Lamine Yamal.

The European champions arrived in the United States among the major contenders to lift the trophy, but those predictions had come under feverish scrutiny after being held 0-0 by the minnows of Cape Verde.

But any concerns were quickly dismissed as Spain struck three times in the first 24 minutes to take top spot in Group H, while they could have had more but for letting their feet off the gas in the second half.

Cape Verde pulled off another stunning shock at the 2026 World Cup as they held Uruguay to a dramatic 2-2 draw in Miami.

The tournament ⁠debutants went toe-to-toe with the South American heavyweights in an entertaining end-to-end game.

Mohamed Salah led Egypt to their first-ever World Cup victory as they recovered to beat New Zealand ⁠3-1 on Sunday, moving top of Group G and boosting their hopes of reaching the knockout stage.

Egypt, pre-match favourites despite rumours of a rift including Salah, who joined Omar Marmoush ​to spearhead ⁠the attack, were backed by a vocal crowd at BC Place. ⁠However, slack defending cost them early ​as ⁠New Zealand defender ‌Finn Surman rose to power home a 15th-minute header from Tim Payne’s corner, ‌silencing the sea of ‌red.

Mostafa Zizo met Mohamed Hany’s cross in the 58th minute to head home the equaliser. ⁠Nine minutes later, Zizo combined with Salah in a quick one-two before the Egypt captain bent in a powerful left-footed finish, and Trezeguet added a third with a superb header from Salah’s ‌outswinging corner.

“I wouldn’t ever take corners or set-pieces, but (set piece coach) Nico (Jover) and the manager (Mikel Arteta) at Arsenal saw something in me that others didn’t,” Rice told the BBC.

“They said that I can put balls in areas from a dead ball that no-one else can in the team at Arsenal other than Bukayo (Saka). From that moment, I really just bought into that, believed in that.

“As time has gone on I feel like now every time I put down a ball for a set-piece – whether it’s a corner or a wide free-kick – I feel like I’m going to get an assist or make something happen that’s dangerous.

“That’s a good mentality to have over set-pieces… and England fans can be excited.”

England’s Ollie Watkins has yet to kick a ball in his debut World Cup, but the striker is convinced Thomas Tuchel’s willingness to unleash fresh attackers ⁠from the bench could prove a decisive weapon in the pursuit of glory.

“I think everyone’s crucial in this squad, the squad depth that we have, ⁠and the players coming off the bench the other day,” Watkins ​told ⁠reporters. “I was really excited when I saw 60, 70 minutes that he was basically changing the whole front three.

“I think bringing on pacey players that run forward, score more goals, `I think it’s exciting.”

“It’s just good to get that flow of minutes into your legs, rather than just running in a straight line. I prefer to play a game after, like we have been. As tiring as it is with all the travelling, it gets out your legs, and you feel much better doing it that way.”