A hot shower of goals: the group stage of the Football World Cup in photos

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The end of the group stage of the 2026 World Cup is approaching. There is a lot of new to see this World Cup inside and outside the field: fixed water breaks, less time wasting, (many) more teams, Curaçao, anti-sportswashingspecial shirt patches, Haaland and much more.

Although the group stage had few real surprises, the difference in level between the ‘small’ and ‘big’ football countries was less great than previously thought. Although punishments were not forthcoming, this World Cup seems to show that football is improving globally. South Africa turned out to be the biggest shock so far. After a dramatic opening match ended Bafana Bafana ultimately second in Group A. The 2010 host country will play its first ever World Cup knockout phase this year.

The ball is in the net a lot: so far at this World Cup since 1998 scored the most goals per match on average. The big stars Kylian Mbappé, Erling Braut Haaland and Viníciús Junior each scored four times. Harry Kane and Cristiano Ronaldo scored two, but both also disappointed a game. Yet, with the end of the opening phase in sight, there is only one person in charge: that little Argentinian… what’s his name again?

Kevin Lenini of Cape Verde celebrates the 1-0 against Uruguay with his teammates. His goal from a long-range free kick is Cape Verde’s first ever goal at a World Cup. The match ended with a 2-2 draw against Uruguay.

Paul Childs/REUTERS

Fans turn out for France-Iraq. The match is stopped for two hours at halftime due to heavy rain.

Bernadett Szabo/REUTERS

Eloy Room saves against Ecuador. The goalkeeper of Curaçao eventually becomes *man of the match*. The native of Nijmegen made a total of fifteen (!) saves, meaning the match ended 0-0. For Curaçao this means the first point ever at a World Cup.

JUAN MABROMATA/ AFP

French captain Kylian Mbappé rushes past Iraqi FC Utrecht player Zidane Iqbal. The megastar scored two goals against Iraq, taking his tally for the tournament to four goals.

James Lang/Reuters

The Orange Legion is joining the carnival crowd *Left right* from Snollebollekes. This ritual became internationally known via social media during the 2024 European Championships in Germany.

Getty Images

Brian Brobbey scores his second goal of the match against Sweden. In the Dutch team’s first game against Japan, he started on the bench. Brobbey was one of the great revelations of the English Premier League last season. With two goals against Sweden, the striker secured a starting spot in the Dutch national team at this World Cup.

Paul ELLIS/ AFP

Brazilian and Haitian fans watch the match between their two countries from the stands. The match, played at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, was won 3-0 by the Divine Canaries.

ANGELA WEISS/ EPISODE

In front of delirious fans, 41-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates his second goal against Uzbekistan. The match was won 5-0 by Portugal. The team had a false start this World Cup; in the opening match they drew 1-1 against Congo. Captain Ronaldo was held responsible for the disappointing result. After the match against Uzbekistan, Ronaldo looked into the TV camera and shouted: “*I’m back, I’m back!*”

Maria Lysaker/Reuters

Scott McTominay (Scotland) is surrounded by the Moroccans Chadi Riad, Neil El Aynaoui and Noussair Mazraoui. Morocco wins the match 0-1, partly due to a beautiful goal by former PSV player Ismael Saibari.

Brian Snyder/REUTERS

Left: The Norwegian fans, at a World Cup for the first time since 1998, perform the ‘Vikingroei’ together. Right: after the match won against Senegal (3-2), the players participate with the fans. Erling Braut Haaland sits at the front. The Manchester City super striker scored four goals in two matches.

Dylan Martinez/REUTERS