World Cup Day 10: Super sub Undav, Curacao make history | OneFootball

Another action-packed day of the FIFA World Cup saw the Netherlands and Japan run riot, and Curacao make history.

We’ve recapped all the happenings from matchday 10, including what you may have missed overnight.

Houston, we have a problem: Sweden smashed by five-star Netherlands

Sweden headed to Houston with confidence after thrashing Tunisia 5-1 in their opener, but their clash against the Netherlands turned into a nightmare for Graham Potter’s side.

The Dutch all but booked their place in the knockout rounds after an emphatic 5-1 win in Group F. Ronald Koeman’s call to bring in Brian Brobbey was a surprise, but it was a selection justified as the Sunderland striker shone.

Brobbey scored twice inside the opening 17 minutes for the Netherlands, before Cody Gakpo added a brace of his own to make it 4-0 inside an hour. Anthony Elanga pulled a goal back for Sweden moments later, but it was Dutch delight when substitute Crysencio Summerville, the unfortunate omission for Brobbey, netted for the second straight game.

Three-time runners-up without ever winning the World Cup, the Dutch were flying under the radar before this tournament. Perhaps, not for much longer.

Super sub Undav delivers again for Brighton

Deniz Undav has certainly put his hand up for more minutes for Germany. After scoring once and providing two assists off the bench against Curacao, Undav was at it again to rescue the Germans on Saturday night.

Germany trailed the Ivory Coast, until Undav’s introduction on the hour. He turned in Nadiem Amiri’s cross to equalise just eight minutes after his introduction, before a sharp touch and finish secured three points for Germany in stoppage time.

Undav’s impact booked Germany a place in the knockout rounds and saw the forward equal the record for most goal involvements as a substitute at a single World Cup tournament (5). He’s played only 56 minutes.

Curacao make history with first-ever World Cup point

Curacao have already made history this summer as the smallest ever nation to feature at a World Cup, with the tiny Caribbean island holding a population of just over 150,000 people.

After a 7-1 defeat to Germany in their opener, some sneered that their participation was a sign of the devalued competition brought about by an expanded 48-team tournament.

Against Ecuador, they proved that wrong. Curacao followed Cape Verde’s example with one of the upsets of the tournament after holding the South American side to a goalless draw.

Ecuador are no traditional powerhouse, but this is a team that finished above Brazil, Uruguay, and Colombia in qualification, with only Argentina outperforming them in South America’s qualification pool.

A goalkeeping masterclass from Eloy Room helped Curacao to a historic result, with his 15 saves equalling the World Cup record for a single game that did not go into extra time.

Tunisia’s torrid tournament ends early after Japan humbling

Tunisia sacked head coach Sabri Lamouchi following the side’s 5-1 defeat to Sweden in their opening World Cup fixture.

The experienced Herve Renard was brought in as a desperate roll of the dice, but it has not made much difference. The North African nation was humbled 4-0 by Japan in their second fixture as a nightmare World Cup campaign continued.

Their tournament is already over, with a final fixture against the Netherlands to be played for pride only. Given how both teams have fared so far, another thumping might be on the cards.

Read – How FIFA’s new World Cup format manufactures dead rubbers

See more – World Cup Day 9: Scotland fume, historic red card, Ancelotti under fire

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