⏪ Sweden cruise past Tunisia; Japan rescue late draw vs Netherlands | OneFootball

FULL TIME

And that's all from day four of FIFA World Cup 26. Thanks for following along!

FULL-TIME: SWEDEN 5-1 TUNISIA

After a poor World Cup qualifying campaign, Graham Potter's side go top of Group F after a statement win in Monterrey.

GOAL FOR SWEDEN

Yasin Ayari scores his second worldie of the match, sending a beautiful, curling strike into the top-left corner.

You may not see a better brace in this tournament...

Sweden continue to pile the pressure on an increasingly disorganised Tunisia side as they push for a fifth goal.

GOAL FOR SWEDEN

Substitute Mattias Svanberg thought he'd scored with his first touch of the match, but the lineman's flag was raised.

However, following a VAR review, it was ruled onside, and Svanberg's goal was given.

We've reached the second hydration break, with Sweden in a commanding 3-1 lead.

GOAL FOR SWEDEN

Isak wins the ball high up the pitch and finds Viktor Gyökeres, who fires across the face of goal and into the bottom-left corner.

It's Gyökeres' first World Cup goal and his 16th goal in his last 15 Sweden appearances.

It's been a fairly open start to the second-half, but it's still 2-1 in Monterrey.

But, without a doubt, the highlight of the half was Yasin Ayari’s brilliant, looping half-volley.

The 22-year-old, whose father is Tunisian, opted not to celebrate his wondergoal.

After a difficult season at Liverpool, Alexander Isak looked back to his best as he scored his first-ever World Cup goal.

Could be the first of many...

HALF-TIME

Sweden hold on to their 2-1 lead as both sides head into the dressing rooms.

GOAL FOR TUNISIA

Omar Rekik pulls one back for Tunisia with an excellent glancing header into the far corner.

Game on in Monterrey!

GOAL FOR SWEDEN

Sweden get out in transition as Alexander Isak cuts inside off the left flank and finds the bottom-right corner with a low, well-placed finish.

However, Sweden head into the first hydration break with a one-goal lead.

Tunisia have responded well and created numerous chances, but after conceding inside seven minutes, it will be an uphill battle for the Eagles of Carthage.

GOAL FOR SWEDEN

After an initial block and clearance, Yasin Ayari catches the Tunisian goalkeeper off his line, and scores a stunning half-volley from long-range.

Absolute rocket!

Early chance for Viktor Gyökeres, but the Arsenal man fires it over the crossbar.

KICK-OFF

And we're off in Monterrey Stadium!

Up next, we turn to the final match of the evening, as Sweden take on Tunisia.

Stay tuned!

Though he didn't get the start over Bazoumana Touré, Amad Diallo continues to turn up with match-winning moments.

Does the Manchester United man deserve to get the call against Germany on Saturday in Toronto?

Let us know in the comments below!

A brilliant result for Emerse Faé and company tonight in Philadelphia, dealing out Ecuador's first loss since 2024

FULL TIME: CÔTE D'IVOIRE 1-0 ECUADOR

A shock result that could have massive implications in Group E as Côte d'Ivoire stun Ecuador with a late strike from substitute Amad Diallo.

What a result for Les Éléphants!

GOAL!! CÔTE D'IVOIRE 1-0 ECUADOR

YES!! There will be!!

Manchester United's Amad Diallo nets what could well be the winner on the night on the stroke of the end of normal time!!

We're nearing stoppage time in Philadelphia as we enter the 89th minute.

Will there be late action to follow up Japan's heroics against the Netherlands?

🚨 LINE UP ALERT!

Sweden and Tunisia are prepping to close out today's group stage action in Monterrey.

Here are the XIs, with Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyökeres paired up top for Graham Potter's Blågult.

As expected for the Eagles of Carthage, Hannibal Mejbri will be the creator-in-chief.

Twenty minutes (plus stoppage) remaining here, as we're back underway

The second of two hydration breaks is now underway

CHANCE!

Fofana has his hands stung by a rifled effort from range by Gonzalo Plata, but the Rizespor-based shot-stopper does well to fist it away.

Two more changes from La Tri here...

Côte d'Ivoire made two of their own as well...

First change of the night from Ecuador

Setting a trend...

OFF THE BAR!

But not by Ecuador!

Diomande plays a lovely ball into the area for Elye Wahi to apply a one-touch finish at the near post, but he cannot keep it down, and it rattles the bar!

CHANCE!

Côte d'Ivoire does well to break on the counter through Seko Fofana, who cuts back to find Diomande on the edge of the area, but the youngster could only blaze over the bar.

And we're back underway in Philly.

Surely, surely, there will be at least a goal in this come full time.

One has to wonder if Mikel Arteta is tuned in on both sides of this discussion...

Over to you, Opta 🤝

HALF TIME: CÔTE D'IVOIRE 0-0 ECUADOR

A very entertaining opening half of play in Philadelphia, but still no breakthrough as Côte d'Ivoire and Ecuador remained deadlocked at nil-nil as we go into the halftime interval.

A reminder that this is Philadelphia, not Quito.

Ecuador fans have turned up in force. Between them and Scotland, it's a reminder of the unwavering support countless fans show for their national team.

That's a brilliant turn of pace by Diomande to burst beyond Piero Hincapié.

The 19-year-old clocked the second-fastest speed in the Bundesliga across the 2025/26 season: 36.40 km/h (22.61 mph), with only St. Pauli's Ricky-Jade Jones (36.46 km/h) faster than him.

CHANCE!

Off the bar, again, from Ecuador!

It's Alan Minda this time, who gets the better of Guéla Doué in a foot race to get into a great position, but his effort can't beat the woodwork!

And now for a first, very-needed hydration break.

CHANCE!

Off the bar!

La Tri come close once again, rattling the bar from a well-struck effort through Yeboah. He's now had two good chances when finding space, tucking into the right half-space to have a pop at Yahia Fofana's goal.

It's been a pretty action-packed opening 20 minutes in Philadelphia.

Ecuador really should be 1-0 up on the evening but Côte d'Ivoire are turning the screwes through their wide men in expected fashion at the other end.

That's come to nothing, though...

Diomande is getting more involved here now, and his threat, more evident. A double dose of service from him into the box has netted Côte d'Ivoire a corner.

A note on the RBL talent: he's now the youngest player to start for Les Éléphants at a World Cup.

CHANCE!

A first opportunity for Côte d'Ivoire, with Hoffenheim star Bazoumana Traoré getting into a good position in the box, but his effort flashes low and wide of the far post.

CHANCE!

It's John Yeboah's turn now, who finds himself in a good shooting position after Côte d'Ivoire lose possession in their third of the pitch, but the Venezia forward could only watch his effort toward the far post curl over the bar.

That's a massive stroke of luck that has fallen Côte d'Ivoire's way.

CHANCE!

Oh dear, what a miss!

Ecuador has a golden opportunity to take the lead in the 10th minute after a ball into the box was missed by a slipping Emmanuel Agbadou before finding its way to Enner Valencia, but he blazes his effort over the bar from well inside the box!

And we're underway in the City of Brotherly Love for what could prove yet another fascinating watch on a Sunday of World Cup action.

Unsurprisingly, Yan Diomande features as arguably the top player to watch tonight.

And with some of Europe's biggest clubs tracking the RB Leipzig man in a summer that could see him move to an elite side, no one should be surprised.

Enner Valencia could also have a say for Ecuador this evening, in a tournament where he usually comes up with the goods in service of his country.

A big night for La Tri veteran Hernán Galíndez, who becomes the fourth-oldest player to feature in a World Cup match for a South American side.

The teams are walking out on the pitch in Philadelphia ahead of the national anthems.

It's quite hot down on the playing surface, with hydration breaks playing a vital role this evening under the hot East Coast sun.

Ecuador are heavy favourites to finish runner-up behind Germany once group play ends. Three points are vital today, against a Côte d'Ivoire outfit that could offer some stiff resistance and bright attacking moments.

More Opta bits previewing the next clash on the docket. 30 minutes should be plenty of time to get stuck in before kick-off!

🚨 LINE UP ALERT!

Côte d'Ivoire and Ecuador have named their XIs for another clash that could light up the first round of matches at the 2026 World Cup.

Gifted Bundesliga-based attacking duo Yan Diomande and Bazoumana Touré are in from the start for Les Éléphants, while La Tri's vaunted backline looks set to frustrate as a springboard for an underrated attack.

Some great stuff here from The Athletic's Jacob Whitehead on what was a fantastic watch...

Opta, once again, coming through in the clutch with some stats to sit with...

FULL TIME: NETHERLANDS 2-2 JAPAN

In the end, it was a massively entertaining fixture, especially after the break, as the Netherlands and Japan share the spoils in a two-all draw in Dallas.

Nakamura adds his name to Reims players who have netted on the biggest stage in football, and my goodness, is he in some illustrious company...

That looks like it's deflected off Daichi Kamada, who will get the credit in the end!

GOAL!! NETHERLANDS 2-2 JAPAN

AND THEY HAVE!! WE'RE LEVEL AGAIN!!

Japan have battled back to square away for the second time today, with an 89th-minute header from substitute Koki Ogawa!!!

Japan are pushing for a late equaliser here, and they just may get it.

CHANCE!

Suzuki has been called on once more, this time, to deny Cody Gakpo!

The Liverpool man found his way into the box and unleashed a low drive across his body to try to catch the Parma 'keeper out, but he did well to get down and parry away.

Nothing comes from the subsequent corner...

CHANCE!

Takefusa Kubo unleashes a rocket strike from range that so nearly finds the top corner, but the Real Sociedad attacker could only see his effort sail just over the bar!

This match has burst into life after the break! Will we have another goal before full time?!

GOAL!! NETHERLANDS 2-1 JAPAN

Dreamland for Crysencio Summerville!

The West Ham man cuts in from the right-hand side to dispatch a curled effort into the bottom far corner!

A lovely finish from the bright winger to put Oranje back in front!

GOAL!! NETHERLANDS 1-1 JAPAN

And just like that, we're back on level terms!

Keito Nakamura scores his first World Cup goal to pull Samurai Blue back to 1-1 after just six minutes!

GOAL!! NETHERLANDS 1-0 JAPAN

And there it is! Deadlock broken!

The Netherlands take a deserved 1-0 lead in the 50th minute through a deft-header from captain Virgil van Dijk! That's his first-ever World Cup goal!

Play resumes after the break, and the Dutch are off to the races in a bid to try to break the deadlock early in the second half.

Some tactical views and insights on the opening half of play in Dallas...

HALF-TIME: NETHERLANDS 0-0 JAPAN

Perhaps a slightly underwhelming half, but plenty to come in the second 45-minute period as the Netherlands and Japan go into the interval deadlocked at nil-nil.

CHANCE!

Suzuki has entered his villain era today against the Netherlands, denying Malen for a third time just before the half-time whistle.

AND AGAIN!

Japan are knocking on the door now, with Ayase Ueda finding room in the box to unleash a drive at the near post, but it can only go just wide and into the side-netting!

CHANCE!

Japan comes close!

Keito Nakamura flashes a low drive wide of Verbruggen's near post after being left unmarked at the top of the box.

The Reims man is certainly an attacking threat from the left wing-back birth, banking two goals and two assists in his last ten caps for Samurai Blue.

CHANCE!

Suzuki once again denies Malen!

The Parma goalkeeper reacts quickly to get down and deny a close-range header from the Roma man, who did well to rise highest to meet Tijjani Reijnders' outswinging corner, but could only head it directly to the keeper.

Malen has been the brightest attacker thus far, tapping into his scintillating form that guaranteed the Giallorossi passage into the Champions League next season.

CHANCE!

Bayern's Hiroki Ito flashes a long-range effort over Bart Verbruggen's bar in the wake of Japan getting into the box, only for the Dutch back line to slam that shut.

And some food for thought before play resumes...

And we're at the first hydration break.

Some attacking intent from Samurai Blue now.

It's worth noting that Japan posted wins against England and Brazil recently. They'll have their say in the final third today, for sure.

A bit of trivia for you all out there, on the off-chance this comes up at your local on a Tuesday evening...

Nothing comes from the resulting corner, but that's an early sign of intent from Oranje

CHANCE!

In-form striker Donyell Malen nearly gets the Dutch on the board early with a rifled effort from inside the box, but Japanese shot-stopper Zion Suzuki is up to the task to parry it away!

KICK OFF

The Netherlands and Japan are underway in Dallas!

We're just moments away from kick-off at Dallas Stadium,

National anthems, one last look at the XI's, and then we're off for what could be one of the most entertaining fixtures of the group stage this summer!

And what a big day for West Ham's Crysencio Summerville.

Recently relegated from the Premier League, the bright left-sided player could be auditioning for a return to the English top flight, or elsewhere, this summer.

Coming up shortly, it's a very tasty clash featuring the Netherlands and Japan.

Can Samurai Blue take another legacy scalp, or will Oranje dig deep and put in a performance worthy of yesteryear?

Let us know in the comments below!

Thanks to our friends at Opta, here are some numbers to mull over at your watering holes for Germany fans...

FULL TIME! GERMANY 7-1 CURAÇAO

After a historic equaliser for Curaçao, Germany do what is expected and hammer the minnows. A good start for Nagelsmann and co.

Seventh heaven for the Germans, who do this at a World Cup yet again. Their last was in that all-time semi-final over Brazil in 2014. A good omen?

GOAL! HAVERTZ AGAIN!The Arsenal forward is put through on goal and scores in brilliant style.Great pace shown and an even better finish.

We're just over an hour away from kick off in Netherlands-Japan and here are the teams...

UNDAV MAKES IT SIX!The Stuttgart striker has made quite the impression off the bench and now grabs a goal, smashing home from close distance. He could have played his way into the starting lineup with this cameo.

GOAL! BROWN GETS IN ON THE ACT!The left-back ends up in the box and finishes expertly after a lovely through ball from Deniz Undav. A first goal for his country from the player who's likely to join Bayern soon.

Leroy Sané is put through by Jonathan Tah but proceeds to send the ball wide when everyone expected him to score.It won't matter but Germany could do with all of their forwards getting amongst the goals.

This game is over and it's really just a matter of how many goals the Germans want to score.In a tough group, goal difference could be important too.

He may play at right-back for his nation but the captain's influence is something to behold.If Germany are to go far in this World Cup, the Bayern man will need to keep this up.

GOAL! MUSIALA MAKES IT 4-1!

Just 69 seconds into the second half and the Bayern man gets in on the act with a lovely finish.He's played in and, even under strong marking, puts the ball into the bottom net.This is more like it from the Germans.

HALF TIME!Germany are in control after bouncing back from the shock of that Curaçao equaliser.

GOAL! 3-1!

Havertz makes no mistake with a very cool penalty, sending the keeper the wrong way. That should be game over before the break.

PENALTY TO GERMANY!Nmecha goes down in the box and they now have a chance to extend their lead from the spot.

Both of their goals have come from Dortmund players. Can Germany now kick on and do what is expected?

GOAL! GERMANY LEAD AGAIN!What were we saying?The Germans breathe a sigh of relief as Nico Schlotterbeck heads home from Nathaniel Brown's corner. Very poor marking from the minnows but a dominant header from the defender.

Havertz has a shot blocked and Germany win a corner.They could really do with getting back in the lead before the break.

This is one of the great World Cup stories.

Curaçao are the smallest nation ever in tournament history and they are holding their own against a true giant of world football.

Germany are back on top but the fears of the biggest shock in football history are growing.Amazingly, the four-time champions have not kept a clean sheet since the 2014 final win over Argentina.

GOAL! CURACAO SCORE!

Absolutely incredible. From literally nowhere, the minnows have equalised through Livano Comenencia.

The ball falls to him on the edge of the box and he sends one past Neuer with the aid of deflection.A World Cup moment to remember. The stadium has erupted.

Here is the goal for UK and Irish users. A fantastic goal from the Borussia Dortmund midfielder.

What a contrast!

Dick Advocaat has a tough evening on his hands but he has made history - being the oldest ever manager at a World Cup. 78 years young.

Germany are totally on top and it would be a surprise if this doesn't turn into a rout.

GOAL TO GERMANY!

It's taken less than six minutes. A brilliant goal from Felix Nmecha, who bends one into the top corner after a lovely one-two. The earliest goal in the tournament so far.

As expected, Germany are dominating the ball in the opening period. If they get an early goal, it could be a long night.

KICK OFF!

And we're underway in Houston.

The players are walking out and it's an incredible atmosphere in a world class arena.

This game is why the World Cup is the greatest sports tournament in the world. Could we be in store for the biggest shock in history?

20 minutes away from kick off in Houston.There's 70,000 in attendance on what is the biggest day in Curaçao's football history.

No side has been in more World Cup finals than the Germans - eight in total - but remarkably they have not been in the knockout stages since their fourth win in 2014.

Nagelsmann's side have a tough group but a win today should set them on the path to correcting a major issue in their recent history.

As mentioned, Manuel Neuer makes his first start for Germany since Euro 2024. Julien Nagelsmann has selected the 40-year-old ahead of previous first-choice stopper Oliver Baumann.

Here are the teams for our first game today.

Four-time winners of the tournament, Germany are looking to move past two consecutive group exits this summer, starting with victory over the smallest ever nation to compete at a World Cup.

Hello and welcome to our coverage of today's World Cup fixtures.