Real Madrid saw a busy day at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, featuring three players in three separate group-stage matches.
Marc Cucurella made his start for Spain during their unexpected 0-0 draw against Cape Verde. Thibaut Courtois was stationed in goal as Belgium registered a 1-1 draw against Egypt, while Fede Valverde distinguished himself by captaining Uruguay to a 1-1 draw with Saudi Arabia.
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The World Cup featured a night filled with draws, as all four matches ended in ties.
Here’s a recap of how the Real Madrid players performed on this eventful night for their national teams.
Marc Cucurella vs Cape Verde
Cucurella turned in an impressive performance for Spain. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)
Real Madrid’s new signing Cucurella delivered what was likely the best individual performance among the three players.
Despite Spain’s dominance, they couldn’t find the net, but Cucurella contributed significantly to their attacking efforts by providing width and purpose. Spain concluded the match with 74% possession, 27 shots, an xG of 2.16, and 47 touches in the opponent’s box.
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The left-back delivered two key passes and created a significant chance, showcasing the type of offensive involvement Spain needed.
By positioning himself effectively in attacking spaces, Cucurella helped alleviate the pressure from Cape Verde’s stubborn defense, although the goalkeeper, Vozinha, had a stellar performance that thwarted Spain’s goal-scoring attempts.
Thibaut Courtois vs Egypt
Courtois put in a solid shift for Belgium. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
Courtois faced a challenging match, as Belgium drew 1-1 with Egypt, revealing weaknesses in their defensive formations, particularly during transitions.
Egypt had three shots on target and produced two significant chances, which required Courtois to make crucial saves to prevent Belgium from trailing further.
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For Real Madrid supporters, there should be no concerns regarding Courtois’ performance; it was the team’s defensive structure that needed improvement.
When a top-tier goalkeeper like Courtois finds himself repeatedly rescuing teams from defensive breakdowns, it indicates a lapse in the overall control of the game.
Fede Valverde vs Saudi Arabia
Valverde showcased his skills for Uruguay. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
Valverde’s performance was the hardest to evaluate.
Despite Uruguay maintaining a dominant position against Saudi Arabia, with 67% possession, 28 shots, and 10 on target, they needed an equaliser from Maxi Araujo in the 80th minute to secure a point.
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As captain, Valverde consistently pushed his team forward, yet control was lacking in their offensive strategies.
Uruguay possessed space and pressure but often settled for rushed crosses and hurried shots.
In summary, it was a mixed bag for Real Madrid at the World Cup: Cucurella stood out, Courtois maintained his reliability despite challenges from Belgium’s defense, and Valverde took on leadership without achieving the desired result for Uruguay.
While not a dazzling performance, all three players are worth keeping an eye on as the tournament progresses.