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Japan thrash Tunisia to advance; Curaçao earn first World Cup point; Germany edge Côte d'Ivoire
Sameer Bhatia | June 21, 2026 5:01 PM CST

All eyes remain on the top three of Group F as the final matchday approaches, with Japan cruising and Tunisia crashing out.

FULL-TIME: Tunisia 0-4 Japan

Japan produced a commanding display to take a significant step towards the last 32, with Ayase Ueda leading from the front with two goals and an assist. Tunisia, meanwhile, exit the tournament after back-to-back defeats that leave them bottom of the group.

The statistics underline Japan’s dominance throughout the match.

GOAL JAPAN! IT’S FOUR!

Ayase Ueda netted his second of the match to make it four for Japan, sealing a comprehensive victory. Tunisia have now conceded nine goals in their first two fixtures of the tournament. Despite Tunisia’s struggles, Hannibal Mejbri stood out for his tireless effort in midfield.

GOAL JAPAN!

Ayase Ueda’s clever flick over the defence put Junya Ito through, and the winger calmly slotted home Japan’s third. That goal effectively ended Tunisia’s hopes as the air went out of their challenge. Tunisia later appealed for a handball following a surging run by Ali Abdi, but the referee waved away the protests.

The match resumed in Monterrey with Tunisia fighting to keep their World Cup hopes alive, while Japan looked firmly on course for qualification.

HALF-TIME: Tunisia 0-2 Japan

It was a tough opening half for new Tunisia coach Hervé Renard, whose side trailed by two goals at the break. Japan’s lead was fully deserved as Tunisia managed just one touch inside the Japanese penalty area. Their campaign looked in serious jeopardy by half-time.

GOAL JAPAN!

Ayase Ueda doubled Japan’s lead with a stunning strike from the edge of the area, putting the Samurai Blue in complete control. Japan remained composed, dictating the pace of the game. Tunisia’s switch to a back-three under Renard failed to stem Japan’s fluent play. Aymen Dahmen made a remarkable save to keep the scoreline respectable early on, but Japan continued to carve open chances.

GOAL JAPAN!

Just four minutes into the match, Daichi Kamada tapped home from close range after a slick counter-attack to give Japan an early lead. Tunisia’s Hannibal Mejbri fired narrowly wide soon after, but Japan dominated the opening exchanges. VAR checked an early penalty shout for Japan when Ueda went down in the area, but play continued.

Monterrey provided the backdrop for a historic occasion — the 1000th World Cup match in history — with Hervé Renard taking charge of Tunisia for the first time after Sabri Lamouchi’s dismissal.

FULL-TIME: Ecuador 0-0 Curaçao

Curaçao collected their first-ever World Cup point after holding Ecuador to a goalless draw. The hero was 37-year-old goalkeeper Eloy Room, who recorded the most saves in a World Cup match that did not go to extra time. Room fell just one stop short of equalling Tim Howard’s all-time record of 16 saves, doing so only days after conceding seven against Germany.

OFF THE CROSSBAR

Kevin Rodríguez saw his cross deflect off the Curaçao bar — the fourth time Ecuador have hit the woodwork in this tournament. Despite Ecuador’s 2.2 expected goals, they could not find a way past Room, who was in inspired form. By the end, Room had made 12 saves, delivering a memorable performance.

Although Ecuador dominated possession and created numerous chances, Curaçao’s resilience earned them a clean sheet at half-time — a welcome turnaround after their heavy defeat to Germany. Juninho Bacuna battled through an injury scare, while his brother Leandro Bacuna received a yellow card. Curaçao began to grow into the game after the first hydration break but lacked finishing quality.

KICK-OFF

Play began at Kansas City Stadium in front of a lively crowd, including members of the Dutch royal family. Curaçao, a former Dutch colony still part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, displayed determination against a technically superior Ecuador side. Both teams sought their first win of the tournament following earlier disappointments.

FULL-TIME: Germany 2-1 Côte d'Ivoire

Germany produced a dramatic turnaround thanks to substitute Deniz Undav, who scored both goals after coming off the bench. The 29-year-old striker’s brace secured Germany’s passage to the knockout rounds — their first at a men’s World Cup since 2014.

GOAL FOR GERMANY

Undav netted his second deep into stoppage time, completing the comeback. That strike brought his tally to nine goals in his last eight international appearances, including three in two World Cup games. Earlier, Côte d'Ivoire’s Yahia Fofana had made a fine save to deny Kai Havertz.

GOAL FOR GERMANY

Undav had earlier restored parity with a close-range volley from a Nadiem Amiri cross. Despite Côte d'Ivoire’s energetic first half, Germany’s substitutions — Undav, Amiri, and Jamie Leweling — added much-needed attacking impetus. Côte d'Ivoire’s Franck Kessié had put his side ahead earlier, converting from close range after Amad Diallo’s shot was blocked on the line.

HALF-TIME

Côte d'Ivoire led 1-0 at the interval, with Yan Diomande causing Germany problems on the left wing. Germany had two goals disallowed in the first half — one for a foul by Aleksandar Pavlović and another for a challenge in the build-up to Kai Havertz’s finish. Despite dominating possession, Germany had struggled to convert their chances until their late surge.

KICK-OFF

The match kicked off in Toronto, where Manuel Neuer made his record-breaking 21st World Cup appearance, the most by any men’s goalkeeper. Germany, buoyed by a 7-1 opening win, were backed by a passionate crowd hoping for another strong performance. The result keeps their momentum alive heading into the knockouts.

FULL-TIME: Netherlands 5-1 Sweden

The Netherlands showcased their attacking strength with a resounding 5-1 win over Sweden in Houston. Crysencio Summerville, Cody Gakpo, Brian Brobbey, and Denzel Dumfries all shone as Oranje recorded their first victory of the tournament.

GOAL NETHERLANDS!

Crysencio Summerville added the fifth with a clinical finish into the bottom corner. Earlier, Gakpo had scored twice, while Brobbey netted a brace on his World Cup debut. Sweden found a late consolation through Anthony Elanga, who raced through to score past Bart Verbruggen.

Despite some bright moments for Sweden — including near misses from Yasin Ayari and Viktor Gyökeres — the Netherlands’ fluid attack proved too strong. Dumfries’ pinpoint deliveries created multiple goals, and the Dutch were relentless after the break.

HALF-TIME: Sweden 0-2 Netherlands

Brobbey’s early double gave the Netherlands a comfortable lead at the interval. Sweden’s Ayari and Gyökeres tested Verbruggen, but the Dutch goalkeeper held firm. Sweden had a goal ruled out for offside when Lagerbielke’s header found the net, but it was all Oranje in the second half.

The Netherlands’ emphatic win keeps them in contention in Group F, while Sweden’s hopes take a major hit after a heavy defeat following their opening 5-1 victory.


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