FIFA World Cup 2026 results roundup Day 10: Germany survive as Japan, Netherlands win big and Curacao make history
World Cup 2026 results: Germany faced Ivory Coast and Ecuador took on Curaçao in Group E. In Group F, Japan played Tunisia and Netherlands battled Sweden.
Germany 2-1 Ivory Coast
Germany survived a scare against the Ivory Coast to confirm their place in the knockout stages. The European giants had failed to progress beyond the group stages in the previous two editions.
After thumping Curaçao in the first match, the Germans found Ivory Coast a much tougher opposition. They failed to get going in the early exchanges and fell behind in the 30th minute. Yan Diomande, who is turning heads with his displays already, found Amad Diallo with a low cross, but the effort was blocked by Nathaniel Brown. However, Franck Kessie was on hand to poke the rebound home.
In the second half, The Elephants continued to be a threat, with Christ Inao Oulai and Kessie missing chances to double their lead. Die Mannschaft then found a way back as substitutes Nadiem Amiri and Deniz Undav combined to draw them level in the 68th minute.
Undav then scored a dramatic second goal in the stoppage time after taking a sublime pass from Felix Nmecha and finishing past Yahia Fofana to give Julian Nagelsmann’s side all three points.
Germany now face Ecuador in their last game on June 25 with qualification secured, while Ivory Coast will be hopeful of progress when they take on Curaçao on the same day.
Netherlands 5-1 Sweden
The Netherlands produced a breathless attacking performance to convincingly beat Sweden in their Group F clash. The Oranje had come under criticism for a laboured display against Japan in the 2-2 draw in the opening game. But in Houston, they underlined their credentials and made it clear that they won’t be taken lightly.
Brian Brobbey started the game for the Dutch and took just five minutes to make his mark. The Sunderland forward started the move, playing the ball to Cody Gakpo, and then finished his low cross to put his team ahead. Seven minutes later, he was on the scoresheet again. Denzel Dumfries’ ball across the goal was met by him to make it 2-0.
Sweden were struggling to get a grip on the game as Ronald Koeman’s side looked irresistible on the attack. The Blågult improved after the hydration break and saw Viktor Gyökeres as well as Yasin Ayari test the opposing goalkeeper. However, they found themselves behind early in the second half.
Gakpo tapped in to make it 3-0 just two minutes after the restart following another Dumfries cross. Then in the 54th minute, he slotted past Kristoffer Nordfeldt in the Sweden goal after being set up by Crysencio Summerville. Graham Potter’s side did pull a goal back after Anthony Elanga powered a finish past Bart Verbruggen just around the hour mark. However, the Dutch would have the last laugh as Summerville scored a fifth for his team in the 89th minute to complete a performance filled with attacking verve.
Netherlands’ last group game will be against Tunisia, on June 26 and Sweden will hope to put on a better show when they take on Japan on the same date.
Ecuador 0-0 Curaçao
Curaçao held Ecuador to a draw to claim their first-ever World Cup point after an incredible performance by their goalkeeper Eloy Room. The tiny Caribbean nation bounced back after a 7-1 thrashing in the opening game against Germany to stun their South American opponents.
Ecuador started strongly just as they did in their opening game but saw Enner Valencia’s close range effort kept out by Room after just three minutes. This would set the tone for the rest of the game as it became Ecuador vs. Room.
The Miami FC keeper saved six shots in the opening 45 minutes, including two from John Yeboah and another from Valencia. La Tri mounted the pressure in the second half with Room denying Moises Caicedo. He then saved Gonzalo Plata’s header and made sure shots from Valencia, Kevin Rodriguez, Nilson Angulo, and others were kept out.
Curaçao also had the chance to score, but this time Ecuador keeper Hernan Galindez made saves from Leandro Bacuna and Liviana Comenencia at the hour mark. At the other end, Room’s heroics continued as he made an athletic save to send Pedro Vite’s shot over the crossbar. The Blue Wave keeper ended up making a remarkable record-equalling 15 saves to earn his team a historic point.
For Ecuador, the last game against Germany becomes a must-win if they want to progress.
Japan 4-0 Tunisia
A change in coach brought no turn in fortune for Tunisia as they were humbled by Japan in their Group F clash. The African side had no answers against the Asian team, which is growing in stature.
After losing the opening game 5-1 to Sweden, The Eagles of Carthage became the first team in World Cup history to change their coach after the first game. Herve Renard, who famously led Saudi Arabia to a win over Argentina at the tournament four years ago, replaced Sabri Lamouchi in the dugout.
But just four minutes into the match at the Estadio Monterrey, the writing was on the wall for Tunisia. A quick counter saw Keito Nakamura cut the ball back for Daichi Kamada, who put his team ahead. The Samurai Blue continued to put their opponents under pressure and doubled their lead in the 31st minute after Ayase Ueda drove precisely from the edge of the box into the far left corner.
There was no respite for Tunisia in the second half as Ueda sent Junya Ito through, who slotted past Aymen Dahmen to make it 3-0 in the 69th minute. Ueda then bookended a splendid performance, scoring a looping header from Kaishu Sano’s ball in the 83rd minute. Tunisia were no match for Japan and are now heading home after just two games. Japan, on the other hand, are playing with an air of confidence that will make them dangerous opposition against anyone.
They will play Sweden in their last game while Tunisia takes on The Netherlands as Group F draws to a close.
About The Author
