World Cup Day 4: Germany thrash Curacao, Five-star Sweden | OneFootball

Sunday’s World Cup action featured emphatic wins for Germany and Sweden, alongside a ding-dong encounter between the Netherlands and Japan.

We’ve recapped all the happenings from matchday four, including what you missed overnight and the biggest stories from Sunday’s action.

World Cup Day 4: Germany thrash Curacao, Five-star Sweden

Ruthless Germany destroy record-breaking debutants Curacao

For Curacao, just being at the World Cup is a monumental achievement. The tiny Caribbean nation has become the smallest ever to compete at the tournament, with a population of around 155,000 people, fewer than those who live in Warrington.

An opening clash with perennial powerhouse Germany was a glamour tie to open up, and Curacao stunned everyone when Livano Comenencia cancelled out Felix Nmecha’s early opener.

However, a shock result was not on the cards. Germany stepped on the gas, and tore apart the island outfit with ease. After Nico Schlotterbeck put Germany back in front, it was one-way traffic that did not slow down. Germany had four by half-time, and seven at the final whistle.

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Netherlands and Japan go toe-to-toe in thriller

The Netherlands against Japan was billed as one of the clashes of the group stage, with a talented Oranje side squaring off against a Japanese outfit unbeaten in nine games against European opponents.

An end-to-end game saw both teams create chances, with the game exploding after a goalless first half. Virgil van Dijk capitalised on a significant height advantage to head the Dutch in front, only for Keito Nakamura to equalise six minutes later.

The momentum swung back in favour of the Netherlands on 64 minutes, when West Ham winger Crysencio Summerville wiggled room and fired in his first international goal. However, Japan were not to be denied and extended their European hoodoo when Daichi Kamada rose highest to head home a late equaliser.

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Ivory Coast leave it late to sink Ecuador

Ivory Coast snatched the points against Ecuador in Philadelphia to take a huge step towards the knockout rounds. With Germany and Curacao the other sides in the group, this fixture was billed as big for both side’s chances of progress.

Ecuador dominated the opening exchanges, and twice his the woodwork in an entertaining first 45 minutes. The South Americans finished behind only Argentina in South America’s qualifying, and their quality was on show.

After the break, it was the Ivory Coast’s turn to hit the crossbar when Elye Wahi went close, and it seemed set to be a point shared as the clock ticked towards the final whistle. Enter, Amad Diallo. On as a substitute, the Manchester United man superbly side-footed home a 90th-minute winner as the Ivorians claimed the points.

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Super sub Svenberg helps five-star Sweden thrash Tunisia

Sweden’s route to the World Cup was arduous, but they’re making up for it now. Graham Potter’s side could hardly have wished for a better start to their campaign after a 5-1 thrashing of Tunisia.

A perfect night saw big hitters Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres both on target, while Mattias Svanberg scored the second-fastest goal by a substitute in FIFA World Cup history, just 18 seconds after his arrival from the bench.

Yasin Ayari added two early Goal of the Tournament contenders as the Swedes stormed to a big win. Confidence is up.

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