---
title: "Sensations, VAR, and a Historic Debut: How Cape Verde and Egypt Broke Through to the 2026 World Cup Playoffs"
description: "🔥 WC-2026: Cape Verde reached the playoffs without wins, and Egypt was saved thanks to VAR! Spain lost to Uruguay, while Belgium crushed New Zealand. 🌍⚽️ #WC2026 #Football"
date: 2026-06-27T06:14:00.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/sensations-var-and-historic-debut-how-cape-verde-and-egypt-broke-through-to-the-2026-world-cup-playoffs
tags: []
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Sensations, VAR, and a Historic Debut: How Cape Verde and Egypt Broke Through to the 2026 World Cup Playoffs

![Opening ceremony of the 2026 World Cup in Mexico City: flags of participating countries, including Cape Verde and Egypt, against the backdrop of the stadium with the FIFA logo](https://xab.info/media/2026/06/27/senatsii-var-i-istoricheskii-debiut-kak-kabo-verde-i-egipet-prorvalis-v-pleioff-chm-2026/senatsii-var-i-istoricheskii-debiut-kak-kabo-verde-i-egipet-prorvalis-v-pleioff-chm-2026-1.webp)

The third round of the group stage of the 2026 World Cup gave fans one of the most dramatic matchdays in tournament history. In groups G and H, the next playoff participants were determined, featuring both pragmatic favorites and incredible underdogs. The results of the round split between loud sensations and a true fairytale for debutants.

### Historic Breakthrough Without Wins

In Group H, before the final whistle, the situation resembled a chess game in its final moments: four teams were vying for a playoff spot. However, the fate of the ticket was decided by cold calculation and the emotional instability of opponents.

Spain, showing character, narrowly defeated Uruguay with a score of 1:0. The only goal of the match was scored in the 42nd minute by Alex Baena. The Uruguayans were unable to come back, and in the 90+5th minute, they exacerbated the situation by earning a red card for Agustín Canobbio. For the two-time world champions, this became the second time the team failed to advance past the group stage.

The parallel match between Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde ended in a goalless draw (0:0). It was this result that became the key to an incredible intrigue. The Cape Verde national team, making its debut at world championships, advanced to the round of 16 from second place without winning a single match in the group stage. This is a historic case that will go down in football annals.

### Belgium and the VAR Thriller

In Group G, Belgium confidently took first place. The team demonstrated power, crushing New Zealand with a score of 5:1. After an even fight in the first half, the Belgians launched a real assault in the second half of the match, scoring four goals.

The most tense event of the day was the match between Egypt and Iran. The game started with a quick goal by Egyptian Mahmoud Saber. The Iranians responded with a missed penalty by Mehdi Taremi, but soon Ramin Rezaeian equalized the score — 1:1.

The climax occurred in the 90+3rd minute. The Iranians scored the coveted goal that should have taken them to the playoffs: Shodja Khalilzade pushed the ball into the net after a powerful assault. However, the intervention of VAR changed the course of history. The referee canceled the goal, noting an infringement. The 1:1 draw allowed the Egyptian national team to take second place and advance to the next round.

### Results and Next Matches

In the round of 16, the Egyptian national team will meet Australia. Belgium will learn its opponent a little later, depending on the results of other matches. This matchday showed that there is no place for complacency at the World Cup: even favorites can lose, and debutants can make history.