Cape Verde secured a historic place in the World Cup knockout stage after drawing 0-0 with Saudi Arabia on Friday in Houston. The island nation, making its tournament debut, achieved three consecutive draws in the group stage, including a 0-0 draw against 2010 champion Spain and a 2-2 comeback against Uruguay. With three points, Cape Verde finished second in Group H behind Spain, which topped the group, and will face defending champion Argentina in Miami on July 3.

In the same group, Spain eliminated Uruguay following a 1-0 victory in Guadalajara, Mexico. Álex Baena scored the only goal in the 42nd minute after Uruguay’s goalkeeper Fernando Muslera made a flawed save. The 40-year-old Muslera, who has made multiple errors during the tournament, was substituted at halftime. Uruguay, ranked 19th by FIFA and a two-time World Cup champion, exited the tournament without a win in its group matches. Spain, the 2022 European champion, will meet the runner-up of Group J—either Austria or Algeria—in Inglewood, California, on Thursday.

Senegal kept its knockout hopes alive with a dominant 5-0 win over a 10-man Iraq in Toronto. After Iraq defender Rebin Sulaka received a red card in the 13th minute for denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity against Senegal's Sadio Mane, Senegal capitalized with goals from Habib Diarra, Ismaila Sarr, two from Pape Gueye, and one from Iliman Ndiaye. Senegal currently holds three points and a plus-two goal differential, boosting its chances to qualify as one of the best third-place teams for the Round of 32. Iraq was eliminated without earning a point in its first World Cup appearance since 1986.

Argentina will face Jordan in Arlington, Texas, on Saturday in their final group match before entering the knockout stage, with Lionel Messi set to start on the bench. Argentina’s coach, Lionel Scaloni, confirmed on Friday that the tournament’s all-time top scorer would not begin the match but is expected to play later. Scaloni did not specify the timing of Messi’s substitution or the full starting lineup for the game against first-time World Cup participant Jordan.

The Ivory Coast’s advancement to the knockout rounds for the first time in its history came amid controversy following remarks by former Germany player Bastian Schweinsteiger. Schweinsteiger described the team’s playing style as “a bit African football, a bit unorthodox, a bit wild, a bit perhaps also not so conditioned by tactics,” which Ivory Coast coach Emerse Faé criticized as racist. Schweinsteiger later clarified that his comments referred strictly to football tactics and did not intend to offend. The Ivory Coast secured their knockout berth after a 2-0 victory over Curaçao on Thursday. Faé expressed hope that Schweinsteiger’s remarks were a “clumsy statement” and highlighted the sensitivity of the topic. Jürgen Klopp, broadcasting from New York, declined to comment on the issue, citing its complexity and seriousness.

Meanwhile, the Panama national team experienced a brief altercation during training ahead of its final Group L match against England. Striker Cecilio Waterman and midfielder José Luis Rodríguez had a confrontation that required teammates to intervene. Panama coach Thomas Christiansen downplayed the incident as a normal sign of competitiveness and team spirit. Panama has been eliminated from the tournament after losses to Ghana and Croatia in its second World Cup appearance.