Group A Costa Rica 0-1 Venezuela Lithuania 0-3 Kazakhstan Group B Egypt 6-3 Guatemala Uzbekistan 2-4 RFU

How did he keep it out? Rafael Morillo netted the only goal of the lowest-scoring game at Lithuania 2021 so far, but it was his unforeseen contribution at the other end that was most impressive. The pivot made three near-goal-line clearances – one in which he used his thigh and chest before heading it, while prostrate, into the arms of his relieved goalkeeper. Captain fantastic Egypt, who could ill-afford to lose, fell behind twice. On each occasion captain Mostafa Eid rallied his team-mates with words and gestures, and they responded. The 29-year-old then hit late hat-trick to power the Pharaohs to victory.

A goalkeeping lob contest Spotting Egidijus Zagaras out of his area, Kazakhstan goalkeeper produced a sublime chip that was en route into the net until headed off the line from Justinas Zagurskas, drawing ooohs and aaahs from the crowd. Minutes later Zagaras returned fire, looping the ball up and over Higuita but just inches wide of the post, earning him vociferous applause from the fans. Cometh the hour… Artem Niiazov, the reigning MVP from the Russian championship, was curiously off the score-sheet when RFU put nine past Egypt, but he did it when it mattered today. With Uzbekistan threatening a huge upset, Niiazov netted a treble to move the 2016 runners-up on to six points from two games.

Thursday (local times) Group C Solomon Islands-Portugal, Kaunas, 18:00 Thailand-Morocco, Kaunas, 20:00 Group D Panama-Vietnam, Klaipeda, 18:00 Brazil-Czech Republic, Klaipeda, 20:00