Day 4 of World Cup 2026 was all about the goalscorers as Germany smashed six past Curacao, while Sweden hit five against Tunisia. The Netherlands and Japan also shared four goals in a 2-2 draw and Amad Diallo’s excellent 90th minute winner delivered a late, late victory for Ivory Coast against Ecuador.
Ruthless Germany thrash Curacao
Germany needed just six minutes to open the scoring against Curacao. Florian Wirtz showed great touch and composure to find Felix Nmecha who whipped an excellent curling effort past goalkeeper Eloy
Room.
You feared for Curacao at that point but the minnows rallied and surprisingly found an equaliser midway through the first half. Some sloppy play culminated in Livano Comenencia firing a deflected shot past Manuel Neuer to send Curacao into dreamland. It’s what the World Cup is all about.
Except Germany were quick to spoil the party and went on to hand out a thrashing. Julian Nagelsmann’s men restored their lead when Nico Schlotterbeck headed Nathaniel Brown’s corner home.
Kai Havertz then coolly converted a penalty just before half-time to make it 3-1 to Germany and give Die Mannschaft some breathing room before the second half. The floodgates then opened after the break as Germany romped to victory. Jamal Musial made it 4-1 with a classy finish after a great pass from Joshua Kimmich.
Nathaniel Brown volleyed home Germany’s fifth, and his first international goal, after a neat flick from substitute Deniz Undav.
Undav then managed to get on the scoresheet himself for Germany’s sixth of the afternoon.
And it was left to Havertz to add the finishing touch, running though on goal and clipping the ball over Room as Germany ran out 7-1 winners. A fine start by Nagelsmann’s side and another reminder that you can never write off Germany.
Japan leave it late against the Netherlands
Japan and the Netherlands had their work cut out following Germany’s impressive showing and the game didn’t spring into life until the second half. Virgil van Dijk’s header from Ryan Gravenberch’s cross handed Ronald Koeman’s side the lead but it was swiftly cancelled out by Keito Nakamura’s low shot.
The Netherlands responded quickly to the setback by restoring their lead through Crysencio Summerville. The winger cut inside and then curled a lovely shot past goalkeeper Zion Suzuki.
The West Ham man’s goal looked like being the winner but Japan had the final say, as Daichi Kamada’s cute header secured a point with just two minutes of normal time remaining.
Amad the hero as Ivory Coast sink Ecuador
Ivory Coast and Ecuador had looked set to deliver the first 0-0 draw of World Cup 2026 until Manchester United’s Amad Diallo popped up with a 90th minute winner. It was the type of goal fit to win any match, too. Wilfried Singo powered down the left and slipped the ball inside to Amad who adjusted quickly to slide the ball into the far corner with his left foot.
Isak and Gyokeres shine in Sweden stroll
The final game of Day 4 delivered even more goals as Sweden took Tunisia apart in a hefty victory. Yasin Ayari started off the rout with a thumping finish from just outside the penalty area after just seven minutes of the contest.
Isak then scored his first ever World Cup to double Sweden’s advantage. The Liverpool star dribbled down the left, cut inside and rifled a low shot home.
Tunisia did grab a goal back when Omar Rekik headed home Hannibal Mejbri’s free-kick but that was the highlight of the night for the Eagles of Carthage.
Isak then turned provider, winning the ball high up the pitch and feeding Gyokeres to lash home Sweden’s third of the night.
Mattias Svanberg them made history by becoming the fastest substitute ever to score at a World Cup. The Sweden star needed just 12 seconds to score his team’s fourth. Ayari then wrapped up a great night’s work with another eye-catching strike from range to cap a fine day for the Swedes.
So many goals but which one was your favorite?
Have your say in our poll to decide what the goal of the day was, as we cover every goal, goof and everything in between throughout the World Cup!
