World Cup roundup: Netherlands, Germany and Japan win as Curaçao make history

World Cup roundup: Netherlands, Germany and Japan win as Curaçao make history
Netherlands and Germany victorious as Curaçao make history
Reuters

The Netherlands and Japan moved level on points at the top of Group F after convincing wins, while Germany progressed to the knockout stage and Curaçao claimed their first World Cup point with a draw against Ecuador.

The Dutch bounced back from their draw in their opening match by thumping Sweden 5-1 in Houston to take command of Group F.

Striker Brian Brobbey relished the opportunity to start his first World Cup match by scoring twice in the first half.

Reuters

Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo matched that feat by also scoring twice early in the second half, before Sweden's Anthony Elanga netted a consolation goal.

Crysencio Summerville added a fifth for the Oranje, who recorded their biggest World Cup victory since 2014.

The Netherlands move top of Group F on four points, while Sweden are likely to need a result against Japan in their final group match to reach the knockout stage.

Germany 2-1 Ivory Coast: Undav leads comeback

Substitute Deniz Undav scored twice as Germany came from behind to beat Ivory Coast in Group E and secure their place in the knockout stage.

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Ivory Coast impressed early on and took the lead in Toronto when Franck Kessié opened the scoring on the half-hour mark.

Germany had two goals disallowed in the first half, but it took until the 68th minute for them to draw level through Undav's volley.

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The striker struck again in stoppage time to seal victory and send Germany into the knockout stage for the first time since winning the World Cup in 2014.

Ecuador 0-0 Curaçao: A goalkeeping masterclass

Curaçao claimed their first-ever World Cup point as goalkeeper Eloy Room produced a remarkable display to deny a wasteful Ecuador side.

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The 37-year-old made 15 saves, setting a record for a 90-minute World Cup match, as he kept out relentless pressure from the South Americans.

"The team fought like lions," Curaçao coach Dick Advocaat said. "The people of Curaçao have supported us from the outset, and for people whose lives are not always easy, I hope they celebrate this success."

Tunisia 0-4 Japan: Tunisia crash out of the World Cup
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Japan cruised to victory over Tunisia in the historic 1,000th FIFA World Cup match.

Daichi Kamada opened the scoring after just four minutes, before Ayase Ueda doubled Japan's lead in the 31st minute with a fierce low drive into the far corner.

Ueda all but sealed the result when he set up Junya Ito for Japan's third goal, before heading home his second to complete the scoring.

Tunisia were playing their first match under new coach Hervé Renard, but it was not enough to prevent the North African side from becoming the latest team to exit the tournament, following Türkiye and Haiti.

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