2026 World Cup

Germany stage a comeback to beat the Ivory Coast. The Netherlands and Japan run riot

Germany have already qualified for the round of 16 following their 2–1 victory over the Ivory Coast and the goalless draw between Ecuador and Curaçao (0–0). In Group F, the Netherlands thrashed Sweden 5–1 and Japan beat Tunisia 4–0.

by Marco Bellinazzo

21 June 2026

Calcio - Coppa del Mondo FIFA 2026 - Gruppo E - Germania contro Costa d'Avorio - Toronto Stadium, Toronto, Canada - 20 giugno 2026 Simon Adingra della Costa d'Avorio in azione con i tedeschi Joshua Kimmich e Jamie Leweling IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/John E Sokolowski

3' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

3' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

Amidst established technical hierarchies and the impact of individual matches, the second day reshaped the balance of power in Groups E and F, securing Germany’s qualification with their victory over the Ivory Coast. In Group F, the Netherlands and Japan secured comfortable victories against Sweden and Tunisia respectively. Ecuador and Curaçao played out a goalless draw.

Germany v Ivory Coast 2–1

Germany got off to a strong start at BMO Field in Toronto with long-range shots and high pressing, but struggled to convert their chances. At their first real chance, in the 30th minute, the Ivory Coast took the lead: Diomandé’s run down the left put Kimmich under pressure, his shot was parried, and former AC Milan player Kessié slotted home from close range.

The Germans kept pressing: they had a goal disallowed and came close to equalising before half-time. The turning point came in the second half in the 60th minute with the introduction of Stuttgart striker Undav, who, eight minutes later, made it 1–1 from a cross from the right, finishing from close range inside the six-yard box.

In the closing stages, the pressure mounted with a flurry of chances, until, in stoppage time, midfielder Nmecha – one of the best players on the pitch – played a through ball to Undav, who controlled it on the edge of the box and fired home powerfully to make it 2–1.

Ecuador v Curaçao 0–0

A run of chances was cut short, but Ecuador failed to break through at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. Within just a few minutes, Valencia found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper, only to face the first of a long series of saves by Room.

Throughout the match, there were a succession of chances: long-range shots, runs down the flanks and, above all, two close-range headers saved by the Caribbean goalkeeper. Their territorial dominance failed to translate into goals, and their control proved fruitless.

Curaçao looked particularly dangerous on the break, with a couple of counter-attacks thwarted by the defence and the Ecuadorian goalkeeper.

In the closing stages, Ecuador also hit the woodwork and kept pushing forward, but were unable to score.

Group E Standings

Germany 6 points

Ivory Coast 3 points

Ecuador 1

Curaçao 1

Netherlands v Sweden 5–1

At the NRG Stadium in Houston, the Netherlands bounced back from their draw with Japan on the opening day to thrash the hapless Swedes. A match that served as a statement of intent. The Oranje took control straight away: in the 5th minute, Brobbey met a low cross at the near post and beat the goalkeeper; then, in the 17th minute, he doubled the lead with a run through the middle onto a through ball played between the lines.

Sweden tried to fight back: around the half-hour mark, Isak shot from the edge of the box, but the goalkeeper saved it. The momentum, however, remained with the Dutch, and the decisive break came in the second half: in the 47th minute, Gakpo finished off a swift counter-attack, and then in the 54th minute he capped off a persistent move in the box, with several attempts blocked before the winning shot.

In the 59th minute, Elanga pulled one back, making the most of his pace and an assist from Isak, but it was a one-off. In the closing stages, Summerville made it 5–1 in the 89th minute following a counter-attack.

Tunisia v Japan 0–4

At the Estadio BBVA in Monterrey, Japan gave Tunisia – bottom of the group – no chance, dictating the pace from the outset: in the 4th minute, Kamada came in from behind to finish off a swift move with a perfect run.

The North African national team mounted a sporadic counter-attack, with a long-range shot being blocked, but it was Japan who dominated. In the 31st minute, Ueda doubled the lead with a header from a cross from the right, beating the defender to the ball.

The second half followed the same pattern: in the 69th minute, Ito broke down the wing, beat his man and finished with a precise shot at the far post. In the 83rd minute, Ueda struck again, this time with a header at the far post, sealing the victory once and for all after a long, well-worked move.

Japan build up play and finish their moves consistently, thanks to their quality on the flanks and perfect timing. Tunisia’s World Cup campaign has come to an early end.