Cape Verde, Egypt, and New Zealand secure draws against strong opponents

On June 15, underdog teams Cape Verde, Egypt, and New Zealand delivered surprising performances in the World Cup. Cape Verde held tournament favorite Spain to a 0-0 draw, while Egypt managed a 1-1 tie against Belgium. New Zealand also played to a 2-2 draw with Iran, showcasing their abilities alongside historically stronger teams. These outcomes raised questions about the perceived strength of these favored teams. Coach Darren Bazeley of New Zealand expressed his team's aspirations going forward, stating the desire for a win there rather than just a point. With these matches, the underdogs demonstrated their readiness to compete at a higher level, despite their limited past success in World Cup history.

• 4:47 AMYahoo Sports — World Cup underdogs rule the day, proving they belong in tournament