World Cup Breakfast: Match highlights, Cape Verde’s hero keeper gains a million followers, Iran hit out at treatment from US hosts, draws galore – and what to look out for today

Hello and welcome to Daily Mail Sport’s World Cup Breakfast from day six at the tournament – your one-stop shop for everything you’ve missed overnight in North America.

For all the latest news, viral moments and what to look out for, stay right here.

OVERNIGHT ACTION 

Iran have launched a scathing attack on their ‘oppressive’ and ‘disastrous’ treatment at the World Cup following their 2-2 draw with New Zealand. 

Striker Mehdi Taremi suggested the US authorities were forcing them to fly back to their Tijuana base against their wishes – Dan Matthews captured the extraordinary fall-out HERE. 

The spoils were shared in all four of the matches on Monday, which has only happened once before on a calendar matchday in World Cup history. 

The other occasion was way back on June 15, 1958.

If you’d have stuck a bet on that happening your bank account would be looking a pretty healthy right now, especially with Cape Verde producing the result of the World Cup so far by holding favourites Spain. 

The African minnows set the trend for a day of impressive underdog performances and it has been an inauspicious start for the European and South American nations.

Usually the dominant forces on the global stage, they’ve averaged just 1.14 points per game compared to 1.47 from the rest of the world.   

Let’s take a look at how the action unfolded. 

Cape Verde’s Steven Moreira looks overjoyed at his side’s remarkable result 

Spain 0-0 Cape Verde (Group H)

There was significant excitement ahead of Spain’s first match of the tournament given their status as one of the favourites.

Coming up against World Cup debutants Cape Verde, ranked 67th in the world, many expected this one to be a procession but the Blues Sharks caused the biggest shock of the past week as they held their illustrious opponents to a draw.

Spain were nowhere near their best, yet they still had 27 shots and racked up an xG (expected goals) of 2.29, but Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha, a 40-year-old who currently plays for Chaves in the Portuguese second tier, was the hero. 

Such was Vozinha’s sensational performance that he has gained almost six million followers since the game on an incredible night for his country, and he was left emotional at full-time.

READ OLIVER SALT’S REPORT HERE

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Spain were left frustrated as they were held to a 0-0 draw by the World Cup debutants 

Vozinha’s sensational performance saw him gain millions more followers on Instagram

Belgium 1-1 Egypt (Group G) 

Egypt blew their chance to claim a maiden World Cup victory after surrendering a first-half lead against Belgium.

Emam Ashour stunned the Red Devils with a magnificent strike from distance that nestled into the bottom corner.

However, after leading for 46 minutes, Egypt were undone when Mohamed Hany turned the ball into his own net while trying to deal with Romelu Lukaku, who was a nuisance when trying to get on the end of Thomas Meunier’s cross, just seconds after coming off the bench. 

It was an even affair in Seattle, with both teams missing two big chances, yet Egypt will be frustrated as their wait for a World Cup win extends to eight matches.

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Romelu Lukaku helped Belgium level, seconds after coming on, but they drew against Egypt

Saudi Arabia 1-1 Uruguay (Group H)

Saudi Arabia famously upset Argentina in their opening match at the 2022 World Cup and they almost caused another shock this time around, yet they were left clinging on in their 1-1 draw with Uruguay in Miami.

The Middle Eastern nation started well and Abdulelah Al Amri put them ahead just before half-time after reacting quickest to a loose ball in the box.

Uruguay fought back in the second half and launched a relentless assault on their opponents’ goal, with Maxi Araujo finally equalising in the 80th minute.

Manuel Ugarte hit the post and Saudi keeper Mohammed Al-Owais made nine saves but the spoils were ultimately shared.

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Saudi Arabian keeper Mohammed Al-Owais was in inspired form as his side drew with Uruguay

Iran 2-2 New Zealand (Group G) 

Donald Trump warned Iran not to play – for their ‘own life and safety’ – and the build-up to this opening game was marred by threats and mudslinging. Iran moved their base from Arizona to Mexico; nearly a dozen members of their delegation were denied visas and Iran officials sent FIFA a list of conditions before agreeing to play. All while war raged back home. 

Finally, Iran’s tournament began on Monday night and there was a mixed reception to the national anthem of boos, whistles and cheers at SoFi Stadium. Never before had a World Cup host nation been at war with one of the visitors.

Iran entered the game against New Zealand as heavy favourites but fell behind twice to the lowest-ranked team of the tournament. Winger Elijah Just twice put the All Whites in front before they were pegged back by goals from Ramin Rezaeian and Mohammad Mohebi. 

After the game, both manager Amir Ghalenoei and striker Taremi launched a blistering attack on their treatment from organisers. 

‘Everything is like disaster actually for us… still we have some problems because we are supposed to be training tomorrow morning – recovery – then leave for Tijuana,’ Taremi said.

‘But we have to leave Los Angeles right now, and it’s not good for us. It’s not good for the football, because in World Cup, you have to prepare good for the next game, because it is a lot of stress for the players and the staff and everyone. But we don’t have that support and I think FIFA have to help us more than this.’

Taremi claimed Iran’s players asked Infantino why they were being kicked out. When asked what the FIFA president told them in the dressing room, Taremi added: ‘He just wants to help us.

‘He said: “It’s the beginning of the World Cup now, and he will help us…” we believe everything.’

Teammate Mohebi said their treatment was not ‘fair’ and Ghalenoei echoed his players’ feelings, claiming: ‘They said we had to leave immediately.

‘It’s very important for us to have time for recovery and yet we were asked to return to Tijuana and we are reality troubled by that… we do not know why they are returning us. I think it’s very strange.’

READ DAN MATTHEWS’ REPORT HERE

Iran’s Mohammed Mohebi celebrates scoring alongside Mehdi Ghayedi in their 2-2 draw

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VIEW FROM THE GROUND – OLIVER SALT IN ATLANTA 

On the way into Mercedes-Benz Stadium you only had to have a quick glance around to notice that nearly every single Spain jersey in sight had the same two words on the back: Lamine Yamal.

La Roja’s teenage sensation is one of the superstars of this World Cup and his brilliance alone would have been why so many fans parted with eye-watering sums to be here.

Yet on a day which saw Yamal restricted to just 20 minutes off the bench, and fail to help the European champions break the deadlock in that time, it was the Cape Verde contingent who were loudest and proudest in Atlanta as they spoiled the Spanish party.

The West African country’s supporters whipped up a deafening noise whenever their plucky team produced a vital block or emerged out of their own half. And after holding on for a historic stalemate, their celebrations spilled out onto the streets as they prepared to dance the night away.

PICTURES OF THE DAY

What an amazing day for Cape Verde on their World Cup debut as the country, which has a population of just under 500,000 people, shocked Spain by securing a 0-0 draw in Atlanta. 

Their goalkeeper Vozinha was in inspired form and our first photo shows him breaking down in tears after the game.

Speaking with his Player of the Match award, Vozinha paid tribute to his late grandparents and mother, who couldn’t be there in the US due to a visa issue, but she certainly would have been proud of her son today.

Our second photo is a shot from a watch party of the game in Mindelo, the second largest city in Cape Verde.

It really encapsulates the emotion and joy that the World Cup can bring to so many people, all over the world.   

Cape Verde’s goalkeeping hero Vozinha breaks down in tears after their 0-0 draw with Spain

Cape Verde fans watch the momentous game in Mindelo, the second largest city in the country

VIRAL MOMENTS OF THE DAY

Several England players fell foul to a cheeky prank by one American TikToker, who took advantage of England’s players signing autographs and memorabilia for fans after training in Kansas City.

The individual printed out multiple copies of the Declaration of Independence, a formal document adopted on July 4, 1776, in which the thirteen American colonies announced that they were separating from Great Britain and forming a new, independent nation, something which culminated in the creation of the United States of America.

The TikToker managed to dupe the likes of Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka, Anthony Gordon and Elliot Anderson into signing it after claiming Kane was his main target, with the video ending with him smiling alongside the caption ‘MISSION SUCCESSFUL’.

At the time of writing, the clip, published by user lex_life2749, had 168,000 views on the platform.  

There was also an incredible moment when Maxi Araujo equalised for Uruguay in their game against Saudi Arabia late on Monday evening. 

As the cameras panned to the celebrating South American fans, one individual was cuddling a baby, with the infant still in his nappy and barely looking older than a few weeks. 

He quickly went viral as fans were left astonished at what they had just seen.

CELEBRITY WATCH

Uruguayan football royalty was spotted in the stands for their 1-1 draw with Saudi Arabia, with Diego Forlan and Diego Godin pictured kitted out in sharp suits. 

How Marcelo Bielsa could do with those two legends these days…

Forlan finished joint top scorer at the 2010 World Cup when he shared the Golden Boot with Thomas Muller (both scoring five). 

Brazil icon Ronaldo was also in attendance in Miami (pictured below) and it seems the city is proving a popular base for former players to lap up the action at this World Cup so far. 

STATS OF THE DAY

Despite Spain’s dominance in their draw against Cape Verde where they had 27 shots and 74 per cent of possession, Cape Verde conceded just one foul in the match, the fewest by any team in a World Cup match since 1966. 

Meanwhile, on what was a frustrating evening for Luis De La Fuente’s side, forward Mikel Oyarzabal became the first player since 1966 to play the first 30 minutes of a World Cup match and fail to touch the ball once. 

THREE THINGS TO LOOK OUT FOR TODAY

1. Welcome to the Group of Death

With the World Cup expanding to 48 teams and 32 of those progressing to the knockout stages, many fans feel there is a lack of jeopardy at this tournament, particularly given eight of the 12 third-place teams will still go through.

An increase in the number of nations has also led to the dilution of quality at the tournament, yet Group I is not one to miss.

Along with favourites France, AFCON champions Senegal are joined by a new-look Norway side that possesses Erling Haaland, with minnows Iraq making up the group. 

France vs Senegal first up is probably the best game we’ve had so far this summer, while Les Bleus’ clash against Norway should be an exciting one too, as should Norway vs Senegal. 

Group I is the designated Group of Death and it includes Norway, France and Senegal

2. Will France click?

If you take a quick look through France’s squad, the quality is incredible, yet they underwhelmed at Euro 2024 where they scored four goals in six matches. 

You feel like that won’t be the case this time around in what is expected to be Didier Deschamps’ last tournament at the helm, and it could be incredible to watch the likes of Rayan Cherki, Michael Olise, Ousmane Dembele and Kylian Mbappe in action over the next five weeks.

There may be some question marks about their midfield, with N’Golo Kante still going at the age of 35, but after heartbreak in Qatar four years ago, I wouldn’t fancy coming up against this France team. 

France’s star-studded team is led by the likes of Kylian Mbappe (above) and Michael Olise

3. Messi’s last hurrah 

Many expected Lionel Messi to retire after finally lifting the World Cup title in 2022, but he’s here again for his record-breaking sixth appearance at the tournament. 

He isn’t getting any younger and the Inter Miami star, who turns 39 next week, is not as heavily involved as before, yet you wouldn’t put it past him writing more chapters to his incredible career this summer.

He is part of an Argentina team who have won three major tournaments (Copa America x2 and World Cup x1) in a row so they certainly know how to get over the line.

TODAY’S GAMES

France vs Senegal (8pm, New Jersey, BBC) 

One of the favourites for this World Cup in France get their campaign underway against AFCON champions Senegal (although the result of that final against Morocco is currently in the hands of the Court of Arbitration for Sport).

Les Bleus are now at their sixth major tournament under Didier Deschamps and have a mouthwatering array of attacking talent, including Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue, Michael Olise and, of course, Kylian Mbappe.

The question is whether they can get things clicking and Senegal won’t be easy opponents after showing their quality in recent years, with the African nation notably beating England 3-1 in a friendly at the City Ground last summer.

Daily Mail Sport prediction: Draw 

France take on Senegal (pictured lifting the AFCON trophy in January) in a tricky first game

Iraq vs Norway (11pm, Foxborough, ITV)

An inaugural sighting of Erling Haaland at a World Cup is not one to be missed in Norway’s first appearance at the tournament since 1998.

Martin Odegaard, Oscar Bobb and Antonio Nusa are among the other squad members to provide attacking quality and they are heavy favourites against an Iraq side, who are 57th in the world rankings.

The Asian nation are at their second ever World Cup and first since 1986 so it promises to be a memorable day for the country, even if they fail to win, after being drawn in what many have dubbed this year’s Group of Death. 

Daily Mail Sport prediction: Norway win 

Argentina vs Algeria (2am, Kansas City, ITV)

Reigning World Cup champions Argentina, who have also triumphed at the last two Copa Americas, get their campaign underway against Algeria in Kansas City.

Lionel Messi is set to play at his sixth World Cup, a joint-record alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Guillermo Ochoa, and will hope for more magic memories after Qatar in 2022.

Algeria have been inconsistent at major tournaments, but they come into this summer having lost just one game in 19 since the start of September last year. 

Daily Mail Sport prediction: Argentina win 

Lionel Messi is hoping to make more magical memories at his sixth World Cup for Argentina

Austria vs Jordan (5am, Santa Clara, BBC) 

This will be a first appearance at a World Cup since 1998 for Austria and Ralf Rangnick’s side will hope to reach the knockout stages after impressing at Euro 2024. 

Like Algeria, they come into the tournament in good form and qualified automatically after losing just once in eight games.

Jordan are one of four debutants at this World Cup and it promises to be an incredible few weeks for the country who were once managed by Harry Redknapp for a short period in 2016. 

Daily Mail Sport prediction: Austria win 

Which England star has 7 GCSEs? Who has lost half of his finger? Test your knowledge of Thomas Tuchel’s squad with our exclusive quiz HERE