Germany comes from behind to book its place in the round of 32 while the Netherlands and Japan move to the cusp of qualification with impressive victories, and minnows Curacao claim their first ever FIFA World Cup point.
Group E
Germany 2 Cote d’Ivoire 1
Germany secured their place in the World Cup knockout stages for the first time since 2014 with a dramatic 2-1 victory over Côte d’Ivoire, sealed by a stoppage-time winner from Deniz Undav.
Julian Nagelsmann’s side made it two wins from two matches but were pushed all the way by a spirited Ivorian team that threatened to spring a major upset. Germany dominated possession and created the better chances early on, with Kai Havertz and Jamal Musiala both going close, while Yahia Fofana produced an excellent save to deny Havertz’s header.
Despite Germany’s bright start, Côte d’Ivoire struck first in the 30th minute. Teenage winger Yan Diomande burst clear down the left and found Amad Diallo, whose blocked effort fell kindly for Franck Kessié to sweep home from close range.
The Africans continued to threaten on the counterattack, forcing Germany to remain patient in search of a breakthrough.
That breakthrough arrived in the 68th minute when Undav levelled after sustained pressure. Germany pushed relentlessly for a winner as the match entered stoppage time, and their persistence was rewarded in the 94th minute when Undav struck again to complete the comeback.
The victory moves Germany onto six points and guarantees progression to the last 32, while Côte d’Ivoire must now win their final group match to guarantee qualification for the knockout rounds.
Ecuador 0 Curacao 0
Eloy Room produced a goalkeeping display for the ages as Curaçao earned a historic 0-0 draw against Ecuador, in only their second ever World Cup Finals match.
The 37-year-old goalkeeper inspired a remarkable recovery from Curaçao’s crushing 7-1 defeat to Germany just days earlier.
Facing relentless pressure from an Ecuador side expected to challenge for qualification, Room made 15 saves to deny La Tri. The veteran shot-stopper finished just one save short of Tim Howard’s World Cup record, repeatedly frustrating Ecuador’s star-studded attack and securing a landmark first World Cup point for the smallest nation ever to reach the tournament.
Dick Advocaat’s side defended with determination throughout, while Ecuador was left to rue a catalogue of missed opportunities. Enner Valencia squandered an early one-on-one chance when Room reacted brilliantly, setting the tone for a frustrating evening for Sebastián Beccacece’s men. Despite registering 27 shots, Ecuador could not find a way past the inspired goalkeeper.
For Ecuador, the result deepened concerns following their earlier defeat to Côte d’Ivoire. They now face a must-win encounter against Germany to keep their hopes of reaching the knockout stage alive.
Group F
Netherlands 5 Sweden 1
Brian Brobbey and Cody Gakpo both scored twice as the Netherlands produced an emphatic 5-1 victory over Sweden to move to the cusp of qualification for the round of 32.
After criticism following the Dutch side’s 2-2 draw with Japan, Ronald Koeman’s decision to start Brobbey proved inspired. The striker needed just five minutes to open the scoring, muscling past his marker before finishing from close range after excellent work involving Tijjani Reijnders and Gakpo. Twelve minutes later, Brobbey struck again, turning in another dangerous delivery from the influential Denzel Dumfries to put the Netherlands firmly in command.
Sweden struggled to cope with the Netherlands’ pace and movement, particularly down the flanks, although they gradually grew into the contest. Viktor Gyökeres, Yasin Ayari and Alexander Isak all tested Bart Verbruggen, who produced a series of important saves to preserve the Dutch advantage before half-time.
Any hopes of a Swedish comeback were extinguished shortly after the restart. Substitute Crysencio Summerville made an immediate impact, creating space on the left before Dumfries delivered another pinpoint cross for Gakpo to convert from close range. The Liverpool forward added his second soon after, driving a low effort into the corner from 20 yards following another contribution from the lively Summerville.
Sweden pulled a goal back but remained vulnerable defensively throughout, and Summerville capped an outstanding second-half display by adding a late fifth to complete the rout.
Japan 4 Tunisia 0
Japan has taken a major step towards the World Cup knockout stages with a commanding 4-0 victory over Tunisia in Monterrey, producing an impressive display that eliminated their opponents from playoff contention.
Ayase Ueda scored a goal in each half to grab the headlines in what was a tremendous team performance.
The Blue Samurai wasted little time asserting themselves, taking the lead after just four minutes through Daichi Kamada. The midfielder gave Japan the perfect start and settled any early nerves.
Tunisia struggled to contain Japan’s fluid movement and attacking intensity, and Japan doubled their advantage in the 31st minute when Ueda scored the first of his two goals.
While Tunisia showed greater urgency after half-time, Japan remained firmly in control. The match was effectively put beyond doubt in the 69th minute when Junya Ito added a third before Ueda completed the scoring seven minutes from time.
The emphatic victory leaves Japan in a strong position heading into their final group match against Sweden, while Tunisia after two heavy defeats have only pride to play for in their final Group match against the Netherlands.
RESULTS
Group E
Germany 2 (Deniz UNDAV (68’ 90+3) Côte d’Ivoire 1 (Franck KESSIE) (30)
Ecuador 0 Curacao 0
Group F
Netherlands 5 (Brian BROBBEY 5’ 17’ Cody GAKPO 47’ 54’ Crysencio SUMMERVILLE 89’) Sweden 1 (Anthony ELANGA 59’)
Japan 4 (Daichi KAMADA 4’ Ayase UEDA 31’ 83’ Junya ITO 69’) Tunisia 0
WHAT’S NEXT
Monday 22 June
Group H: Spain v Saudi Arabia 4am NZT (Atlanta)
Group G: Belgium v Islamic Republic Iran 7am NZT (Los Angeles)
Group H: Uruguay v Cabo Verde 10am NZT (Miami)
Group G: New Zealand v Egypt 1pm NZT (Vancouver)
(Photo Credits FIFA via Getty Images)