World Cup 2026: Japan win 1000th game, highlights, reaction

Can Saudi Arabia recreate 2022 shock?

Spain v Saudi Arabia (Sun, 17:00 BST)

Saudi Arabia stunned the world when they beat eventual winners Argentina in their first match at the last 2022 tournament in Qatar.

But they could not hold off a second-half onslaught from Uruguay - who ended with 28 shots on goal - as Marcelo Bielsa's South American side earned a point in the Group H encounter.

Can they pull off another shock tonight?

Previous meetings

Spain v Saudi Arabia (Sun 17:00 BST)

Spain and Saudi Arabia have met three times before, with one of those being at the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

La Roja won that clash 1-0, in the group stage of that edition of the tournament. That is the only competitive meeting between the countries to date, with the nations only going head-to-head in two friendlies, which Spain were victorious in.

On Sunday, Saudi Arabia will be looking to record their first-ever point against Spain.

Yamal breaks record

Spain v Saudi Arabia (Sun 17:00 BST)

When he came on against Cape Verde, Spain's Lamine Yamal became the youngest European player to appear at two major tournaments (Euro 2024 & 2026 World Cup), aged 18 years and 337 days today.

The previous record was held by Jude Bellingham, who was 19 years and 145 days old on his first appearance at the 2022 World Cup.

All to play for

Spain v Saudi Arabia (Sun 17:00 BST)

European champions Spain take on Saudi Arabia in Atlanta today, with Group H firmly in the balance and all four teams on one point.

Spain were held to a 0-0 stalemate by Cape Verde in their opener, while Saudi Arabia played out a 1-1 draw with Uruguay.

Barcelona star Lamine Yamal came off the bench in that match against Cape Verde, after coming back from injury, and could be set for his full World Cup debut in Atlanta.

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That's a fine memory to finish on, including an actual meeting with Pele, hats off to you John.

Right, how about the World Cup finals yet to come?

The current edition of this tournament is already shaping up to be one of the best.

Let's now focus on our immediate future and the next four group games, shall we?

Was 2022 final greatest in World Cup history?

1,000 World Cup games

The 2022 World Cup final will always be remembered as the game in which Lionel Messi got his hands on the trophy that had eluded him during his time with the national team and which, until that date, separated his achievements from those of the great Diego Maradona.

Taking place at the Lusail Stadium in Qatar, Argentina beat France 4-2 on penalties after the match ended 3-3 after extra time, and was quickly regarded as one of the greatest World Cup finals of all time.

From Argentina's lightning-fast start to Kylian Mbappe's hat-trick and then Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez's match-saving stop in the 120th minute, this final had everything.

Argentina were firmly in control before Mbappe netted a brace in the 80th and 81st minutes to force extra time. Messi then scored again and Mbappe's 118th-minute penalty took the match to penalties.

Kingsley Coman and Aurelien Tchouameni missed their spot-kicks, as Argentina won their first World Cup since 1986 and their third overall.

Spain's first win, Messi heartbreak, Croatia reach the final - the 2010s

1,000 World Cup games

The 2010 World Cup is remembered as the tournament where Spain shed their reputation as one of the best footballing nations never to win it, leaving the Netherlands as proud sole owners of the bridesmaids tag.

Their opponents in the final, yes, you've guessed it, three-time runners-up Netherlands (1974, 1978, 2010).

It also signified a dominant era for Spain, who won the 2008 European Championships and then also followed up their 2010 success with victory at the 2012 Euros as well.

Four years later, Lionel Messi came agonisingly close to winning the World Cup, but Germany followed up their historic 7-1 dismantling of hosts Brazil in the semi-finals with an extra-time victory over Argentina at the Maracana Stadium.

Mario Gotze scored in the 113th minute to clinch Germany's fourth World Cup, and first since German reunification.

The 2018 World Cup final was won by France, who defeated surprise finalists Croatia 4-2 in Moscow.

It was their first title since 1998 and, in scoring at the Luzhniki Stadium, Kylian Mbappe became only the second teenager to net in a World Cup final (after Pele in 1958).

Brazil make it five, Zidane's famous headbutt - 2002 & 2006

1,000 World Cup games

Brazil beat Germany 2-0 in Japan to win the 2002 World Cup, and won every single game on their way to the title - this feat has never been matched to date.

Man of the match Ronaldo (R9) scored twice to help Brazil win their fifth World Cup title - the most of any country.

Four years later, the World Cup final was contested by Italy and France in Berlin. This match is famous for Zinedine Zidane's headbutt on Marco Materazzi and subsequent red card, in what was the final match of his career.

Despite this, Zidane was awarded the Golden Ball as the best player of the tournament, as his nation were beaten 5-3 on penalties following a 1-1 draw after extra time.

Italy's success gave them a first World Cup title in 24 years, their fourth overall, but since then have struggled. They finished 26th in 2010 and 22nd in 2014 and have not qualified for the past three finals.

Solenko scores most goals in a single game

1,000 World Cup games

Oleg Salenko had just two caps going into 1994, began that year’s World Cup on the bench, and never played international football after it.

Russia needed to thrash Cameroon, and needed results to go their way to reach the knockout phase.

After 75 minutes at Stanford Stadium in California, Salenko dinked home his fifth goal, all from his right boot, to inspire a 6-1 victory.

From that day, Salenko still holds the record for most goals scored by an individual in a single World Cup match.

Michael Owen's 1998 solo stunner

1,000 World Cup games

The 1998 World Cup was nothing to shout about for England, but it was certainly the tournament where 18-year-old Michael Owen became a superstar.

England's last-16 tie against Argentina at France 1998 was locked at 1-1 when Owen seized his moment.

The young Liverpool striker collected a chipped pass from David Beckham before going on a mazy run through the Argentina back line before firing beyond goalkeeper Carlos Roa.

While the game ended in another penalty shootout heartbreak for England, Owen's sensational run and finish is fondly remembered as one of his country's greatest World Cup goals.

Gazza tears at Italia 90

1,000 World Cup games

Probably the most famous image from the 1990 World Cup was Three Lions' star midfielder Paul Gascoigne in tears.

Gazza was booked in the semi-final against Germany, meaning he would miss the final if England got there.

He realised the significance immediately struggled to hold back tears as the game went on around him.

Gary Lineker was famously caught on camera pointing to his eyes after turning to the England bench, urging manager Bobby Robson to "have a word".

Italia 90, going Stateside and France win maiden trophy - the 1990s

1,000 World Cup games

As we leave the chaos of the 80s behind, we step into a decade of football where football got serious.

Italia 90 saw West Germany avenge their 1986 final defeat to Argentina when they won the final 1-0 thanks to an 85th minute penalty.

Brazil secured their fourth World Cup title when the tournament headed Stateside for the first time in 1994.

A Selecao team featuring the likes of Aldair, Dunga, Bebeto and Romario beat Italy 3-2 on penalties - the first World Cup final to be settled by a penalty shootout.

A Zinedine Zidane-inspired France were victorious on home soil in 1998, sealing a maiden World Cup title with a convincing final win over holders Brazil.

The build-up to the final was dominated by doubts over the availability of Brazil star Ronaldo, who had blazed a trail at the tournament with a series of explosive performances.

He was eventually passed fit for the Paris showdown but was a shadow of the player who had terrified defences throughout the competition.

As it was, another global superstar stole the show, with Zidane scoring twice in a 3-0 win.

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"The first World Cup that makes sense is always your favourite" - discuss.

It seems that age 10, or thereabouts, is the age we were for the World Cup we remember most fondly.

I was 11 in 1986 and do have a soft-spot for that tournament, but then again, I was 15 in 1990, bewitched by the Manchester music scene - cue New Order and World In Motion - and absolutely in awe of Gazza, David Platt and John Barnes' rap.

The football may not have been the best, but didn't Italia 1990 have it all?

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