Day 10 of World Cup 2026 brought more goals and excitement as the Netherlands and Japan both secured big wins. Elsewhere, World Cup debutants Curacao made history against Ecuador and Tunisia’s defeat ensures Herve Renard’s side will be making an early exit from the competition.
Five star Dutch destroy Sweden
Ronald Koeman’s Netherlands side destroyed Sweden 5-1 in Houston on Saturday afternoon. Brian Brobbey came into the team and struck the opener by poking home Cody Gakpo’s cross from the left after just five minutes.
An almost identical goal swiftly followed for the Netherlands. This time the move came down the right with Denzel Dumfries sliding in a cross for Brobbey to make it 2-0.
The Dutch extended their lead early in the second half. Dumfries was again the creator, fizzing a low ball across goal for an unmarked Gakpo to knock home at the far post.
The Liverpool star then grabbed a brace of his own, finishing off a rapid counter-attack by cutting inside his defender and lashing home a low shot.
Sweden did manage to pull one back through substitute Anthony Elanga but it proved to be only a consolation goal on a sobering afternoon for Graham Potter’s side.
The Netherlands completed an emphatic win late on through substitute Crysensio Summerville. The West Ham man teased two Swedish defenders and then rifled home to complete an impressive victory.
Germany fight back to deny Ivory Coast
Ivory Coast upset Germany by taking the lead in their Group E encounter through midfielder Franck Kessie. Exciting talent Yan Diomande wreaked havoc down the left and played the ball into the penalty area where Kessie finally managed to slam home.
Germany were finding it tough going against Ivory Coast and needed super-sub Deniz Undav to turn things around. The Stuttgart forward equalised with a left-foot volley that flew into the roof of the net with just over 20 minutes remaining.
Undav then broke Ivory Coast hearts deep into stoppage time by netting the winner. The substitute latched onto a cute ball into the penalty area and simply turned and fired past the goalkeeper to secure all three points for Julian Nagelsmann’s side.
Curaco claim first ever World Cup point
World Cup debutants Curacao made history on Saturday by claiming a first ever point at the tournament with a 0-0 draw against Ecuador. In a goalless game, it was goalkeeper Eloy Room who was the hero for the minnows as he made a record-equalling 15 saves to deny Ecuador and secure a famous result for the Blue Wave.
Japan send Tunisia packing
Saturday’s final match brought a big win for Japan that ensures Tunisia will not make it past the group stage of World Cup 2026. Herve Renard replaced Sabri Lamouchi as boss after their opening defeat against Sweden but saw his side go behind after just four minutes when Daichi Kamada finished off a swift counter-attack from close range.
Japan made it 2-0 in style through Ayase Ueda just after the half hour. The Feyenoord striker rifled a shot across goal and into the far corner from the edge of the box to double Japan’s lead.
Tunisia were undone again in the 69th minute when a clever flick over the defence sent Junya Ito running through on goal. He kept his composure to sidefoot the ball past the goalkeeper and effectively seal the win.
Ueda then piled more misery on Tunisia late on by scoring Japan’s fourth on a looping header that sees the Samurai Blue move into second in the table ahead of a final group game against leaders the Netherlands next time out.
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