Everyone is hoping for a win.

According to Vietnam time, tonight (June 21st), the Spanish national team will play their second match against Saudi Arabia (11 PM, Group H), and on the morning of June 22nd, the matches will be: Belgium-Iran (2 AM, Group G), Uruguay-Cape Verde (5 AM, Group H), and New Zealand-Egypt (8 AM, Group G).

Spain needs a win to gain an advantage in the final round of matches. (Photo: WRAL)

According to Vietnam time, tonight (June 21st), the Spanish national team will play their second match against Saudi Arabia (11 PM, Group H), and on the morning of June 22nd, the matches will be: Belgium vs. Iran (2 AM, Group G), Uruguay vs. Cape Verde (5 AM, Group H), and New Zealand vs. Egypt (8 AM, Group G). Having only one point after the first round of matches, all teams in Groups H and G need a win to gain an advantage in the final round.

After a disappointing opening match with a goalless draw against Cape Verde, Spain must give their all in tonight's second Group H match against Saudi Arabia if they want to avoid a difficult position in the final match. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia is feeling confident after drawing with Uruguay.

The match against Cape Verde showcased superior ball control and dominance from coach Luis de la Fuente's team, but their finishing was not as effective as desired. In the match against Saudi Arabia, Fuente will likely maintain the same formation with Pedri orchestrating the midfield, utilizing the speed and penetrating ability of Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams on the wings to cross the ball in to support striker Mikel Oyarzabal up front. The "Bullfighters" will certainly push forward from the start, constantly moving the ball and maintaining strong pressure on the opponent's half to seek an early lead.

Against Spain, Saudi Arabia will have to choose between sitting deep in defense, waiting for counter-attacking opportunities, or seeking chances from set pieces, as they demonstrated in their opening match. The "Green Falcons" of the desert possess a tenacious fighting spirit and disciplined defensive organization. Currently, coach Georgios Donis has his strongest squad available, with captain Salem Al-Dawsari as the main goalscorer. However, against a highly determined and superior opponent, even a slight lapse in concentration could cost Saudi Arabia dearly. In their previous encounter at the 2006 World Cup , Saudi Arabia suffered a 0-1 defeat.

You may also like

Manchester United target Angus Gunn: An economical solution for the goalkeeping position.Director Jason Wilcox is pushing to sign Scotland goalkeeper Angus Gunn in an effort to restructure Manchester United's defense after the 2026 World Cup.

Mexican police are using "Robot Dogs" to protect the lives of 2026 World Cup stars.In an effort to enhance security for the 2026 World Cup, the Mexican city of Monterrey has deployed robotic patrol dogs around the stadium area.

World Cup 2026: Mexico dominates Group A, South Africa advances to the Round of 16.Mexico thrashed the Czech Republic 3-0 at Estadio Azteca, while South Africa caused an upset by beating South Korea 1-0, creating a dramatic final round of Group A matches.

★ After a hard-fought opening match, the clash between Belgium and Iran in the group stage is crucial to their chances of advancing. Previously, Belgium drew 1-1 with Egypt in a game where Rudi Garcia's team dominated possession but lacked sharpness at key moments. The responsibility for creating breakthroughs continues to rest on the shoulders of stars like Kevin De Bruyne, Jeremy Doku, and Romelu Lukaku. Belgium's problem lies not in individual quality but in their ability to convert their advantage into goals.

Iran enters the match with confidence after a thrilling 2-2 draw against New Zealand in their opening game. The West Asian representatives remain true to their style of play: tight defense, quick transitions, and maximizing set pieces. Despite being considered the underdog, Iran often excels against stronger teams thanks to their patience and tactical discipline. This will be a closely contested match, with Belgium controlling possession and Iran waiting for opportunities to counter-attack.

★ New Zealand and Egypt both surprised by earning points against higher-ranked opponents. New Zealand showed they are not just good at mass defense but are also willing to play an open game when the opportunity arises. The presence of Chris Wood provides a solid foundation in terms of both experience and aerial ability, while Elijah Just is emerging as a game-changer with his speed and intelligent movement. If they continue to maintain their effectiveness in transitions, New Zealand can certainly aim for their first victory in the tournament.

Meanwhile, Egypt also possesses players capable of changing the course of a match in an instant. Their draw against Belgium showed that the North African team has a well-organized and disciplined squad. Tactically, Egypt will likely concede possession and exploit the spaces behind the opponent's defense. This is predicted to be a balanced match, where the difference will come from individual quality at crucial moments.

★ After the first round of Group H matches, Cape Verde is full of confidence after holding Spain to a 0-0 draw, while Uruguay is forced to aim for a victory to gain an advantage in the race for qualification. According to expert Doan Minh Xuong, the draw with Spain does not mean Cape Verde can continue that against Uruguay. He commented: “Uruguay is a well-organized team under Marcelo Bielsa. Their only problem is taking advantage of opportunities. All four teams in Group H have 1 point each, so a win is crucial. I think Uruguay will control the game, while Cape Verde will play defensively and counter-attack. Experience and composure will help Uruguay win 2-0.”

You may also like

Over 200 athletes participated in the international football tournament in Da Nang.DNO - On June 25th, exciting matches of the Blue Wave International 2026 football tournament took place at Dam Sen Stadium (Ngu Hanh Son Ward).

South Korea falls, Asia awaits Japan.(NLĐO) - After their 0-1 defeat to South Africa on the morning of June 25th, South Korea, once one of the major pillars of Asian football, suddenly found itself in a period of anxious waiting.

South Korea 0-1 South Africa: When 69% possession becomes a meaningless numberA narrow defeat against South Africa's disciplined defensive play has left South Korea in a precarious position in Group A of the 2026 World Cup, forcing them to anxiously await a play-off spot.

SPORTS REPORTER TEAM

Source: https://nhandan.vn/tat-ca-deu-mong-mot-tran-thang-post970458.html