Germany scrape into the last 16 as the Netherlands and Japan light up Group F
Main stories
Germany reached the knockout round for the first time in 12 years, coming from behind to beat Ivory Coast 2-1 with substitute Deniz Undav scoring twice. Franck Kessié had put the Ivorians ahead before Undav equalised in the 68th minute and won it deep into stoppage time, according to ESPN; the result also secured Germany top spot in Group E under Julian Nagelsmann.
The Netherlands delivered the day's most emphatic performance, beating Sweden 5-1 in Houston. Brian Brobbey struck twice inside the opening 17 minutes and Cody Gakpo added a quickfire second-half double — taking him level with Robin van Persie on five World Cup group-stage goals for the Dutch — with Crysencio Summerville completing the rout and Anthony Elanga replying, per Sky Sports.
Japan matched them at the top of Group F by thrashing Tunisia 4-0, becoming the first AFC side to score four in a World Cup game. Daichi Kamada opened inside four minutes, Ayase Ueda scored twice and Junya Itō also netted, according to Al Jazeera, a result that eliminated Tunisia.
Curaçao, the smallest nation by population ever to qualify, claimed their first World Cup point in a 0-0 draw with Ecuador, goalkeeper Eloy Room starring in a backs-to-the-wall display, NBC News reported. The draw kept the Caribbean side's faint knockout hopes alive while Paraguay edged Türkiye 1-0 in Group D.
Transfer and squad notes
Room's resistance against Ecuador produced an individual milestone: his 15 saves were the most recorded in a World Cup match without extra time since 1966, according to Concacaf, the centrepiece of Curaçao's historic point.
Summerville, who rounded off the Dutch win, has featured in recent transfer speculation, with reported interest from clubs including PSG; his tournament form is coinciding with questions over his club future, though no move has been confirmed.
What it means for the league
Day 10 saw the established powers make their move: Germany are through despite a laboured display, while the Netherlands and Japan flexed attacking depth to share top spot in a fast-moving Group F. The expanded field's underdogs also left a mark, Curaçao banking a point that would have seemed improbable after their opening 7-1 loss to Germany. With several groups now decided at the summit, the final round of fixtures will set the seeding and matchups for the knockout bracket.