Mexico became the first of the tournament’s 48 teams to secure a place in the knockout stage, while Canada earned the first World Cup win in its history and Switzerland also surged in Group B.
South Korea, meanwhile, lost 1-0 to Mexico and pushed their knockout-stage fate to the final group match against South Africa.
The day began with Czechia and South Africa drawing 1-1 at Atlanta Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, on Thursday local time, keeping the lower half of Group A open until the final round.
Czechia went ahead in the fifth minute through Michal Sadilek, but their early lead did not hold. South Africa equalized in the 83rd minute when Teboho Mokoena converted a penalty.
The result also shaped the stakes for South Korea and Mexico, as either side could secure a place in the first knockout round with a win later in the day.
In Group B, Switzerland produced a strong response by beating Bosnia and Herzegovina 4-1 at Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood, California, on Thursday local time.
Johan Manzambi broke the deadlock in the 74th minute, and Ruben Vargas doubled Switzerland’s lead in the 84th minute.
Manzambi scored again in the 90th minute to make it 3-0, before Bosnia and Herzegovina pulled one back through Ermin Mahmic in stoppage time. Switzerland then completed the scoring with a late penalty from Granit Xhaka.
Canada then made history on home soil, earning the country’s first World Cup victory with a 6-0 rout of Qatar at BC Place Vancouver in Vancouver, Canada, on Thursday local time.
Cyle Larin opened the scoring in the 16th minute, before Jonathan David struck in the 29th minute and again in first-half stoppage time to give Canada a 3-0 halftime lead.
Nathan Saliba added the fourth in the 64th minute, and Qatar’s Mohamed Manai scored an own goal in the 75th minute. David completed his hat trick in stoppage time to finish the rout.
Qatar were reduced to nine men after Homam Ahmed was sent off in the 33rd minute and Assim Madibo was shown a red card early in the second half, leaving Canada in full control.
The landmark win moved Canada to four points, level with Switzerland, but with a major goal-difference advantage after their opening draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Groups A and B now head into the final round with qualification, top spot and survival all still in play.
In Group A, Mexico will face Czechia with their place in the knockout stage already secured, while South Korea will meet South Africa with second place on the line.
In Group B, Canada and Switzerland will meet in a match likely to decide the group winner, while Bosnia and Herzegovina and Qatar will play with their remaining hopes of advancing at stake.
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