Group F: Tunisia 1-3 Netherlands

Fri, 26 Jun, 2026

Group F: Tunisia 1-3 Netherlands

Kansas City: The Netherlands overcame sorry Tunisia 3-1 on Thursday to top Group F, avoiding a tricky encounter with Brazil in the last 32 of the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Ronald Koeman's men flew into a two-goal lead in soggy Kansas City thanks to some shoddy defending from the North African side.
 
First, Ellyes Skhiri sliced Denzel Dumfries' cross into his own net and minutes later Sunderland forward Brian Brobbey lashed home from close range.

 

Tunisia pulled a goal back in the second half but the Dutch restored their two-goal lead courtesy of a Jan Paul van Hecke header shortly after the hour mark.

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Group F: Japan 1-1 Sweden

Fri, 26 Jun, 2026

Group F: Japan 1-1 Sweden

Arlington: Japan will face Brazil in a FIFA World Cup 2026 last-32 clash after drawing 1-1 with Sweden on Thursday to finish runners-up behind the Netherlands in Group F.

In a game in front of 70,000 in Texas that sprang into life in the second half, Daizen Maeda gave Japan the lead soon after the break but Anthony Elanga levelled minutes later.

Japan, fancied as dark horses to go far in North America, were hanging on by the end as Alexander Isak and Elanga both went close in injury time.

Morocco have 'ingredients' of World Cup winners, says Ouahbi

Thu, 25 Jun, 2026

Morocco have 'ingredients' of World Cup winners, says Ouahbi

Atlanta: Morocco head coach Mohamed Ouahbi said his players have to believe they can become the first African winners of the FIFA World Cup after storming into the last 32 unbeaten.

The Atlas Lions twice came from behind to beat Haiti 4-2 on Wednesday and only finished second to Brazil in Group C on goal difference. A clash against the Netherlands, Japan or Sweden awaits in Monterrey on Monday.

Morocco became the first African side to even reach the semi-finals four years ago in Qatar.

Lopetegui looks at positives as Qatar bid farewell

Fri, 26 Jun, 2026

Lopetegui looks at positives as Qatar bid farewell

Seattle: Qatar's FIFA World Cup 2026 journey may have ended on Wednesday but head coach Julen Lopetegui said it was a campaign that the West Asian side can learn and build on.

A 3-1 defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina meant Qatar fell short of staying in contention for a place in the Round of 32 but will depart having earned their first ever point on the global stage.

Group E: Curacao 0-2 Cote D’Ivoire

Fri, 26 Jun, 2026

Group E: Curacao 0-2 Cote D’Ivoire

Philadelphia: Nicolas Pepe scored twice as Cote d'Ivoire beat Curacao 2-0 on Thursday to reach the FIFA World Cup knockout rounds for the first time ever and bring the tiny Caribbean country's run at the tournament to an end.

Former Arsenal forward Pepe, now playing in Spain for Villarreal, opened the scoring for the Elephants after just seven minutes in Philadelphia and netted again just after the hour mark.

Cote d'Ivoire finish with six points in Group E with this victory following their opening 1-0 win over Ecuador and a 2-1 loss to Germany.

They therefore go through in second place behind Germany on head-to-head - the Germans lost 2-1 to Ecuador in New Jersey at the same time.

Group E: Ecuador 2-1 Germany

Fri, 26 Jun, 2026

Group E: Ecuador 2-1 Germany

East Rutherford: Ecuador kept their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign alive as Gonzalo Plata's winner completed a memorable come-from-behind 2-1 victory over Germany to send them through to the last 32 on Thursday.

Leroy Sane controversially fired Germany ahead less than two minutes into the Group E clash, but Ecuador hit back through a fine strike from Sunderland winger Nilson Angulo.
 
Plata then prodded home from close range 13 minutes from time, sparking wild celebrations among a largely Ecuadorian crowd in New Jersey as the South Americans ensured they will advance as one of the eight best third-placed teams.