Spain defeated Uruguay 1-0 after another goalkeeping mistake by Fernando Muslera, advancing to the knockout stage of the World Cup and eliminating the South American powerhouse on Friday. Uruguay, a two-time champion, will go home without any victories in its three Group H games. Spain, the European champion, won the group with seven points and will face the second-place team from Group J, either Austria or Algeria, on Thursday in Inglewood, California.

Uruguay coach Marcelo Bielsa said he felt that his team deserved better luck, considering their performances, and should have earned seven points instead of two from their group matches. But he took full responsibility for the team’s failure.

“No one wants to listen to explanations now,” Bielsa said. “The blame is on me, I’m the one responsible for the disappointing work that I did. I had a group of quality players.” At 19th in the FIFA rankings, Uruguay is the highest-ranked team to be eliminated so far.

Belgium drub New Zealand, storm into eliminators

Vancouver:  With a flurry of goals, Belgium finally found its footing at the World Cup. Leandro Trossard scored two goals and Belgium overcame a slow start in the tournament to advance to the knockout round atop Group G with a 5-1 victory over New Zealand on Friday night.

Belgium will face an as-yet undetermined third-place finisher on Wednesday in Seattle. The Belgians went into the match a surprising third in their group after opening the World Cup with a 1-1 draw against Egypt and a scoreless draw against Iran.

Elijah Just scored for New Zealand, which needed to win outright to have a chance at advancing. The All Whites head home without a first-ever World Cup win. Should Belgium win their knockout round opener, they will face the winner of the match against the United States and Bosnia-Herzegovina in the round of 16.

Egypt advances past group stage after draw with Iran

Washington: An Iranian fan rushed to the field in celebration, necessitating seven security guards to successfully bring him down. Shoja Khalilzadeh ripped his jersey off before being mobbed by the entire Iran team after he fired a shot past Egypt goalie Mostafa Shobeir in the 93rd minute to seemingly give his side a 2-1 lead on Friday night.

For a few joyous moments, Iran was convinced it had advanced to the knockout round at the World Cup for the first time in the expanded 48-team pool at this year’s tournament. The potential late winning goal was called back due to an offside, though, and Egypt advanced past the group stage. Egypt will play Australia in the round of 32.

Cape Verde smallest country to reach knockouts

Houston: Tiny Cape Verde defied odds to become the smallest country to earn a spot in the World Cup knockout round behind the stellar play of Vozinha, the 40-year-old goalkeeper who embodied the grit of his nation.

“We are small,” he said. “But we have big hearts and we are fighters.” Cape Verde completed an improbable run through the group stage with a third straight World Cup draw, a 0-0 draw against Saudi Arabia on Friday night to advance in the tournament. Cape Verde, who are making their World Cup debut, already held 2010 champions Spain to a 0-0 draw and then came from behind to hold Uruguay 2-2.

Also read: Ecuador stun Germany, make it to knockouts