2026 World Cup: Tunisia Out, Curacao Earn First Point, Germany In Next Round

Japan tightened their grip on a place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup last 32 with a commanding 4-0 victory over Tunisia on Saturday at Monterrey Stadium.

Naija News gathered that Goals from Daichi Kamada, Ayase Ueda and Junya Ito ensured the Blue Samurai climbed to four points in Group F alongside the Netherlands. Tunisia, beaten 5-1 by Sweden in their opening match, are now eliminated from the tournament.

Japan wasted little time asserting their authority. Kamada opened the scoring after just four minutes, finishing from close range following a slick move involving Ao Tanaka and Keito Nakamura. Tunisia survived another scare moments later when Dylan Bronn produced a desperate goal-line clearance to prevent a second goal.

Goalkeeper Aymen Dahmen was kept busy throughout the opening half and made a crucial save to stop the ball from crossing the line. However, Japan doubled their lead in the 31st minute when Ueda capitalised on hesitant defending before drilling a low strike into the bottom corner from the edge of the area.

The Asian side remained in complete control after the break. Ito raced onto a perfectly weighted through ball and calmly slotted home in the 69th minute before Ueda completed his brace with a looping header seven minutes from time.

The defeat marked a difficult start for new Tunisia coach Herve Renard, who was appointed after Sabri Lamouchi’s dismissal following the heavy loss to Sweden. Renard’s side struggled to cope with Japan’s technical quality and fluent passing throughout the match.

Curacao Earn Historic First World Cup Point After Goalkeeping Masterclass

Curacao secured the first World Cup point in their history after goalkeeper Eloy Room produced a remarkable display in a goalless draw against Ecuador in Group E.

The 37-year-old Miami FC goalkeeper equalled the World Cup record of 15 saves in a single match, matching the mark set by United States goalkeeper Tim Howard against Belgium in 2014.

Room’s heroics began inside three minutes when he denied Enner Valencia from close range. He continued frustrating Ecuador throughout the first half, also keeping out John Yeboah and Valencia again among six saves before the interval.

The pressure intensified after the break, but Room remained unbeatable. Moises Caicedo, Pedro Vite, Kevin Rodriguez, Nilson Angulo and Gonzalo Plata were all denied as Ecuador piled forward in search of a breakthrough.

Curacao also threatened occasionally. Leandro Bacuna saw a promising effort saved on the hour mark, while Liviana Comenencia was denied later in the match.

Ecuador finished with 27 attempts but failed to find a way past the inspired goalkeeper. The result leaves the South Americans needing a victory against Germany in their final group match to keep their hopes alive, while Curacao can still reach the knockout rounds with a win over Ivory Coast.

Undav’s Stoppage-Time Double Sends Germany Into Knockout Rounds

Substitute Deniz Undav struck twice, including a dramatic 94th-minute winner, as Germany came from behind to defeat Ivory Coast 2-1 and secure qualification for the World Cup knockout stages.

The four-time champions looked set for a frustrating evening after Ivory Coast captain Franck Kessie fired the Africans ahead in the 30th minute. However, Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann’s changes from the bench transformed the contest.

Ivory Coast started brightly and took the lead after Yan Diomande’s excellent work created an opening for Amad Diallo. Nathaniel Brown blocked the initial effort, but Kessie reacted quickest to convert the rebound.

Germany thought they had levelled earlier through Aleksandar Pavlovic, only for his header to be ruled out for a foul on goalkeeper Yahia Fofana. Kai Havertz also had a goal disallowed later in the game.

The breakthrough eventually arrived in the 68th minute when Undav met Nadiem Amiri’s cross with a composed finish. Ivory Coast then missed chances to restore their lead before Germany struck the decisive blow deep into stoppage time.

Felix Nmecha’s pass found Undav inside the area, and the Stuttgart forward controlled brilliantly before turning and firing beyond Fofana to complete the comeback.

The victory sends Germany through from Group E, while Ivory Coast must now beat Curacao in their final match to stand a chance of progressing.

Brazil Find Their Rhythm With Convincing Win Over Haiti

Brazil delivered their most convincing performance of the tournament so far, beating Haiti 3-0 to strengthen their position at the top of Group C.

Matheus Cunha scored twice, and Vinicius Jr produced a goal and an assist as the five-time champions finally displayed the attacking fluency expected of them. The result also confirmed Haiti’s elimination from the competition.

Brazil signalled their intent early when Raphinha thought he had opened the scoring after being released by Bruno Guimaraes, only for the effort to be ruled out for offside.

The breakthrough arrived in the 22nd minute. Vinicius forced a save from the Haitian goalkeeper and, following a failed clearance, Cunha bundled the ball over the line from close range.

Cunha doubled Brazil’s advantage later in the half after a slick move involving Vinicius. The Wolverhampton Wanderers forward timed his run perfectly before firing beyond the goalkeeper.

Vinicius then capped an outstanding display with Brazil’s third goal before the interval. Lucas Paqueta’s pass found the Real Madrid star in acres of space, and he calmly slotted into the bottom corner.

Paraguay Stun Turkey as Almiron’s Red Card Sparks Controversy

Turkey’s World Cup hopes were ended despite dominating possession and registering 33 attempts in a shock 1-0 defeat to Paraguay.

Paraguay scored after only 64 seconds when Matias Galarza unleashed a superb effort from outside the penalty area to score the fastest goal of the tournament.

The game took another dramatic turn in first-half stoppage time when former Newcastle United midfielder Miguel Almirón was shown a straight red card after a VAR review following an altercation with Mert Muldur.

Referee Ivan Barton applied a new tournament regulation designed to prevent players from covering their mouths during confrontations and discussions on the pitch.

Despite enjoying a numerical advantage for much of the game, Turkey failed to break down Paraguay’s stubborn defence. Vincenzo Montella’s side controlled 78.5 per cent possession but struggled to create clear openings.

Muldur came closest when his deflected header struck the crossbar, while substitute Deniz Gul wasted two excellent opportunities after the break.

The defeat leaves Turkey eliminated with one group match still to play, while Paraguay remain firmly in contention for a place in the knockout rounds.

Netherlands Thrash Sweden 5-1 to Send World Cup Warning

The Netherlands produced one of the standout performances of the tournament so far, hammering Sweden 5-1 in Houston to move to the brink of qualification from Group F.

Cody Gakpo and Brian Brobbey both scored twice as Ronald Koeman’s side bounced back emphatically from their opening draw against Japan.

Brobbey justified his inclusion from the start by opening the scoring after five minutes. The striker then doubled the advantage 12 minutes later, finishing clinically to put the Dutch firmly in control.

Sweden, who had dismantled Tunisia in their opening fixture, struggled to contain the Netherlands’ attacking movement and physicality throughout the first half.

Gakpo took centre stage after the interval. The Liverpool forward first set up Brobbey before scoring twice himself in quick succession to put the result beyond doubt.

Substitute Anthony Elanga pulled one back for Sweden shortly before the hour mark with a composed finish, but the comeback never materialised.

Crysencio Summerville completed the rout late on to seal a dominant victory in front of nearly 69,000 spectators, including Dutch King Willem-Alexander.

The result leaves the Netherlands top of Group F on four points, ahead of Sweden on three, Japan on four and Tunisia on none.