World Cup 2026: Day 5 – Monday 15 June
Day 4’s
results saw Germany survive an early scare to demolish Curaçao, Ivory Coast
grab a late winner against Ecuador, Netherlands and Japan play out a thriller
and Sweden comfortably beat Tunisia.
Let’s take a
closer look at yesterday’s action, and look ahead to today…
Yesterday’s
results:
Germany 7-1
Curaçao
Die
Mannschaft secured their joint-biggest win at a World Cup (tied with a very
famous semi-final) by thrashing tournament debutants Curaçao – but not before
they had to survive an early scare.
Felix Nmecha
gave the Germans the lead with a tidy finish into the far corner before the
tiny island nation levelled. German-born Jurgen Locadia, once of Brighton, saw
his shot blocked, the ball fell to Livano Comenencia to shoot, left-footed,
past Manuel Neuer via a deflection.
What a
moment for Curaçao – but it didn’t last. Further goals from Nico Schlotterbeck,
a double from Kai Havertz including one from the penalty spot, Jamal Musiala, a
first for Germany for Nathaniel Brown, and Deniz Undav complete a comfortable
victory for Julian Nagelsmann’s side.
Ivory Coast 1-0
Ecuador
Manchester
United’s Amad Diallo struck late to give the Ivory Coast all three points in
their Group E opener against Ecuador in Philadelphia.
Both sides
created chances in the first half – Ecuador twice hit the crossbar through John
Yeboah and Alan Minda – before Ivory Coast hit the bar themselves in the second
half.
Yan Diomande
and Sekou Fofana both went close, before Amad was introduced on 56 minutes and
duly struck in the 90th minute, tucking a beautiful shot into the
bottom corner after good work from Wilfried Singo.
Netherlands 2-2
Japan
Another
exciting encounter saw the Netherlands go toe-to-toe with Japan and play out a
2-2 draw.
Following a
disappointing first-half, where the most notable shots were saved by Japan shot-stopper
Zion Suzuki, the game sprung into life after half-time. The opening goal was
made in Liverpool, as Ryan Gravenberch’s cross found the head of his skipper Virgil
van Dijk, who found the net via the post.
Six minutes
later, Keito Nakamura, who was impressive throughout on the left-hand side,
side-footed the Japanese level, before the Dutch took the lead again through Crycensio
Summerville’s wonderful left-footed curling finish.
Japan found
a last-gasp equaliser though, as Junya Ito’s corner was headed on by Koki Ogawa
and diverted into the back of the net by Daichi Kamada to ensure that this group
F opener ended with a point apiece.
Sweden 5-1
Tunisia
The North
African side were no match for the European side, as Graham Potter’s Sweden put
Tunisia to the sword in the other game in Group F in Monterrey.
Despite
leaving it late to qualify, Sweden looked right at home in this match and Yasin
Ayari gave them the lead from distance after just seven minutes. Liverpool’s
Alexander Isak capped a flowing counter-attack with a good finish on the
half-hour mark, before Omar Rekik halved the deficit with a header on the
stroke of half-time.
But further second-half
goals from Viktor Gyokeres, substitute Mattias Svanberg, and another from Ayari
secured a massive three points.
Today’s
fixtures:
Group G
Belgium v
Egypt
8pm (UK
Time)
Seattle
Belgium are
not the force they once were, most notably when they finished 3rd in
2018, but still have some decent players. Thibaut Courtois, Thomas Meunier,
Youri Tielemans, Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Axel Witsel were all in the
squad back then and are still capable of making a difference for Belgium, while
the likes of Charles De Ketelaere, Jeremy Doku and Leandro Trossard are equally
capable of winning matches on their own.
You can’t
think of Egypt without thinking of Mo Salah, and he will be looking to stamp
his mark on the tournament – it may be his last World Cup. Omar Marmoush is
another player who is capable of carrying Egypt to victory – but it won’t be
enough against Belgium.
Sam’s
prediction: Belgium 2-1 Egypt
Iran v
New Zealand
2am (UK
Time)
Los
Angeles
Fair play to
anyone who willingly chooses to stay up to watch Iran v New Zealand!
Most of the
Iran-related build-up to this World Cup has revolved around goings-on off the
pitch, but don’t forget they have some good players on the pitch. New Zealand
will have to be wary of the likes of Mehdi Tahremi and Samman Ghoddos
representing the country currently ranked 21st in the world.
New Zealand
have their own world superstar in Tim Payne… don’t argue with that, he has more
followers than anyone else gracing the pitch in LA tonight… but will rely
heavily on Chris Wood for goals. Other than that, their squad will struggle
throughout this tournament, but may sneak a point tonight, if they keep Tahremi
quiet.
Sam’s
prediction: Iran 0-0 New Zealand
Group H:
Spain v
Cape Verde
5pm (UK
Time)
Atlanta
Spain will
have far too much for the first-timers unfortunately, and are many people’s
pick to win the whole thing. Starboy Lamine Yamal is one to watch out for,
while they have a fair bit of experience in their ranks as well.
Spain are
currently on a run of 31 unbeaten in competitive football, going back to March
2023 when they lost 2-0 to Scotland in Euros qualification, and that run
shouldn’t end against Cape Verde.
The tiny
island nation off the west coast of Africa, ranked 69th in the
world, will be relying heavily on veterans Garry Rodrigues and Nuno Da Costa
for goals, while captain Stopira, Villarreal’s Logan Costa and Roberto Lopes of
Shamrock Rovers (yes, really) will be key in defence. They may sneak a point or
two in the group stages, but it won’t be tonight.
Sam’s
prediction: Spain 5-0 Cape Verde
Saudi
Arabia v Uruguay
11pm (UK
Time)
Miami
Saudi Arabia
shocked the world by defeating eventual champions Argentina in Qatar four years
ago, but it will take another great effort to get a result against the world
champions’ near neighbours this time around.
Gone are the
days of Luis Suarez, Diego Forlan and Edinson Cavani, who helped them to 4th
in South Africa in 2010, but Uruguay can have some optimism about their team at
the moment. Veteran goalkeeper Fernando Muslera, Jose Gimenez of Atletico
Madrid, Barcelona’s Ronald Araujo, Tottenham and Manchester United midfielders
Rodrigo Bentancur and Manuel Ugarte, and ex-Liverpool man Darwin Nunez is a
pretty good spine, and they should come second in this group, as long as they
start well against Saudi Arabia.
They won’t
replicate their exploits in South Africa (there will definitely not be any
goalline handballs), but they should reach at least the Last 32.
Sam’s
prediction: Saudi Arabia 0-2 Uruguay
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