Netherlands: 5, Sweden: 1
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Netherlands were off and running from the start, striker Brian Brobbey scored in the fifth minute on an assist from left winger Cody Gakpo, and bagged a brace in the 17th minute with the pass from right back Denzel Dumfries.
At the start of the second half, Gakpo decided that it was his turn. He scored his first goal of the World Cup in the 47th minute, and his second in the 54th minute. Dumfries nabbed a second assist, and substitute Crysencio Summerville got his first assist off the bench.
Sweden got a consolation goal, substitute Anthony Elange scored an impressive goal to make it 4-1, but the game was already far out of reach.
Summerville scored his second of the tournament in the 89th minute as he continued his hot start to the tournament, capping off the Netherlands great day. For a country that is known for its defense and physicality, they found something with guys like Brobbey, who was just put into the starting lineup, and Summerville, at the forward position.
Group F is still very close, if Sweden can get a win against Japan, they will be through, same goes for the Japanese against Sweden. All the Netherlands have to do is beat Tunisia and they will be through to the knockouts. It will be one of the more fun final matchdays of the group stage to watch.
Player of the Match: Cody Gakpo (Liverpool)
Germany: 2, Ivory Coast: 1
Embed from Getty ImagesGermany snatched victory away from Ivory Coast with late heroics. It was Ivory Coast who scored first in the 30th minute, when central midfielder Franck Kessie was able to put the ball past the German goalkeeper.
Germany have been bringing on substitute Deniz Undav and it has been paying direct dividends so far. He scored his first of the match in the 68th minute to tie the game up.
In the 90th minute, left back Nathaniel Brown had a great chance, unmarked in the box. He put it on target, but it was saved by Ivory Coast goalkeeper Yahia Fofana.
It was looking like that may be the Germans best chance, but it was Undav again, who received a great pass from defensive midfielder Felix Nmecha and buried his chance in the 94th minute of the match.
Undav now joins Jonathan David and Lionel Messi with 3 goals at the World Cup, but is already up to 5 goal contributions with his 2 assists against Curacao.
Player of the Match: Deniz Undav (VfB Stuttgart)
Ecuador: 0, Curacao: 0
Embed from Getty ImagesA result that can’t be understated how important it is, despite being a goalless draw. It is the first ever World Cup point for Curacao, the smallest nation to ever qualify and play at a World Cup.
Goalkeeper Eloy Room was critical in stopping the Ecuadorian onslaught of chances. His 15 saves was the second most ever at a World Cup. It may be the best performance any player has at the World Cup, and he plays his club ball in the USL Championship, the second division of soccer in the United States.
The result is also important for Germany, who officially won Group E. If Curacao can find a way to get their first ever World Cup win against Ivory Coast, they will likely be through to the knockouts.
Player of the Match: Eloy Room (Miami FC)
Japan: 4, Tunisia: 0
Embed from Getty ImagesTunisia are knocked out of the World Cup after their loss to Japan, and the Japanese got it started early. In the fourth minute, attacking midfielder Daichi Kamada tapped one home on a great pass from left wing back Keito Nakamura.
In the 31st minute, striker Ayase Ueda scored, which he would do again in the 83rd minute, and assisted on attacking midfielder Junya Ito’s goal in the 69th minute, a great day for Ueda.
So far through the tournament, Tunisia sits with the lowest goal difference in the field. A disaster of a 2026 World Cup after beating France at the 2022 World Cup. Japan will need to take care of business against Sweden to qualify for the knockouts.
Player of the Match: Ayase Ueda (Feyenoord)
