PHOTOS: REUTERS

STAR SPORTS DESK

Mexico became the first nation to secure a place in the Round of 32 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup as the second round of group-stage fixtures began on Thursday night, while fellow co-hosts Canada produced one of the most emphatic results of the tournament with a record-breaking 6-0 victory over Qatar. Elsewhere, Switzerland reignited their campaign in style, South Africa kept their hopes alive, and several longstanding World Cup records either fell or came under threat.

6 goals scored by Canada against Qatar, the most ever by a CONCACAF nation in a World Cup match, besting the four goals scored by Mexico (El Salvador in 1970) and the US (Paraguay, 2026), and the highest tally by any team from outside Europe or South America.

2 CONCACAF players to score a World Cup hattrick after Jonathan David joined Bert Patenaude of the USA (1930) on the exclusive list.

1 direct free-kick goal at the tournament so far, scored by Canada’s Nathan Saliba against Qatar.

2 red cards shown to Qatar, making them the first Asian side to receive two dismissals in a single World Cup match.

20 years and 247 days was the age of Switzerland’s Johan Manzambi, the youngest substitute in World Cup history to score twice in a match.

4 goalsscored by substitutes in Switzerland’s 4-1 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina, only the second World Cup match ever to feature four such goals.

4 goals conceded by Bosnia after the 70th minute, making them just the third team in World Cup history to concede as many late goals in a single match.

2 consecutive matches in which Czechia scored first but failed to win, a feat not seen at a World Cup since Tunisia in 2006.