Co-hosts Mexico have become the first team to secure a spot in the World Cup knockout phase after a 1-0 victory over South Korea. The win guarantees Mexico will advance as Group A winners with one group match remaining.

• Luis Romo scored the decisive goal shortly after halftime.
• Goalkeeper Raul Rangel made crucial saves in the closing minutes to preserve the win.
• The victory ensures Mexico will play their next match in Mexico City.

England kicked off their World Cup campaign with a thrilling 4-2 victory over Croatia, while Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal were held to a surprising 1-1 draw against the Democratic Republic of Congo.

• Harry Kane scored twice for England, equalling Gary Lineker's World Cup goal record.
• Cristiano Ronaldo made his historic sixth World Cup appearance for Portugal.
• DR Congo earned their first-ever World Cup point in a hard-fought match.

South Africa secured a crucial 1-1 draw against the Czech Republic, keeping their hopes of reaching the World Cup knockout stages alive for the first time.

• Teboho Mokoena scored a late penalty for South Africa after Michal Sadilek had given the Czechs an early lead.
• Both teams now have one point in Group A, two points behind co-hosts Mexico and South Korea.
• South Africa coach Hugo Broos expressed belief in his team's chances if they can replicate their performance against the Czech Republic.

South Africa's head coach Hugo Broos criticized modern, covered football stadiums and excessive drinks breaks after his team's 1-1 draw against the Czech Republic in Atlanta kept their World Cup qualification hopes alive.

• Broos stated that only the grass resembled a football pitch in the covered Atlanta Stadium, contrasting it with the historic Estadio Azteca.
• The coach also expressed frustration with lengthy drinks breaks, which he felt disrupted the flow of the game even in climate-controlled environments.
• South Africa, now in their fourth World Cup, aim to progress beyond the group stages for the first time, with victory against South Korea likely securing advancement.