ÖFB Team Salvages Round of 16 Berth at 2026 World Cup in Stoppage Time

Indirect Impact on Iran and Canada

Canada also benefited from the final matchday results. Although the Canadians lost 1:2 to Switzerland in Vancouver, they advanced to a World Cup knockout round for the first time in the country's history. In the round of the best 16, head coach Jesse Marsch's team now faces South Africa in Los Angeles.

The Netherlands, who will meet Morocco in the Round of 16, have also advanced. Away from the on-field action, Cody Gakpo shared a personal message: the 27-year-old Liverpool striker and his partner Noa announced via Instagram that their unborn son had passed away during the pregnancy. The couple, who had announced the pregnancy in May under the name Elijah Raphael, wrote: „Mit gebrochenem Herzen teilen wir die schreckliche Nachricht, dass unser kleiner Junge während der Schwangerschaft gestorben ist."

Injury Concerns for Spain and Uruguay Eliminated

From a Spanish perspective, the third group matchday against Uruguay went successfully but at a high cost. The Iberians won 1:0 and secured first place, but Nico Williams suffered a serious injury to his right adductor from a foul by Uruguay's Nico De la Cruz, which could mean the end of his tournament. Williams said he had already been dealing with pubic bone and ischium issues for a year and a half. In a social media post, the winger wrote: „Es ist einer der schlimmsten Tage meines Lebens." The 23-year-old Yeremy Pino of Crystal Palace also risks missing the rest of the World Cup.

Uruguay was thus eliminated in the group stage. For head coach Marcelo Bielsa, whose contract expires after the tournament, the World Cup ended with just two points from three matches. The 70-year-old summed up his tenure: „Meine Zeit wird als eine Phase in Erinnerung bleiben, die nichts hinterlassen hat." Another episode from the match: Bielsa had already substituted captain Fede Valverde after 56 minutes, and the two avoided eye contact as they passed each other on the touchline.

Kane Breaks Records and Clarke Steps Down

At England, the focus is also on records. Harry Kane scored six goals during the tournament, matching his tally from the 2018 World Cup in Russia within a single campaign. With his eleventh World Cup goal against Panama, he surpassed Gary Lineker (10) and is now one of only two players – alongside Kane and David Beckham – to have scored for England at three different World Cups.

In Scotland, the early group-stage exit had far-reaching personnel consequences. Steve Clarke resigned as national team coach immediately after the elimination. Scotland had finished the group stage with three points and a goal difference of minus three, missing out on the top eight as a third-placed team. The Scottish FA stated: „Unser erfolgreichster Nationaltrainer hat sich nach sieben Jahren das Ende seiner Zeit bei uns entschieden."

Croatia, meanwhile, secured first place in the group with six points and displaced Ghana, who finished third in Group L with four points, which finally ended Scotland's chances of advancing as one of the best third-placed teams.