TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Netherlands produced a dominant display in Group F of the 2026 World Cup, Germany staged a late comeback to edge Ivory Coast in Group J, while Ecuador were held to a goalless draw by Curaçao in Group E on Sunday, June 21, 2026.
The results reshaped the early group standings, with the Netherlands and Germany strengthening their positions at the top of their respective groups, while Ecuador and Curaçao were left sharing points in a frustrating stalemate.
Netherlands 5-1 Sweden
Scorers:
Netherlands: Brian Brobbey (5’, 17’), Cody Gakpo (47’, 54’), Crysencio Summerville (89’)
Sweden: Anthony Elanga (59’)
The Netherlands delivered a ruthless attacking performance to dismantle Sweden 5-1 at NRG Stadium in Houston, with Brian Brobbey and Cody Gakpo both scoring braces in a one-sided Group F encounter.
The Dutch struck early when Brobbey finished Cody Gakpo’s assist inside the opening five minutes before doubling his tally in the 17th minute from a Denzel Dumfries cross. Sweden struggled to respond, with Viktor Gyökeres threatening sporadically, while a potential equaliser from Gustaf Lagerbielke was ruled out for offside.
After the break, the Netherlands accelerated further. Gakpo made it 3-0 in the 47th minute before adding his second seven minutes later, finishing off a pass from Crysencio Summerville. Sweden briefly pulled one back through Anthony Elanga in the 59th minute, but Summerville sealed the emphatic win late on.
The victory sends the Netherlands to the top of Group F with four points from two matches, while Sweden drop to second with three points.
Starting Lineups
Netherlands (4-3-3): Bart Verbruggen; Denzel Dumfries, Virgil van Dijk, Nathan Aké, Daley Blind; Frenkie de Jong, Tijjani Reijnders, Xavi Simons; Cody Gakpo, Brian Brobbey, Crysencio Summerville.
Sweden (4-3-3): Robin Olsen; Emil Holm, Viktor Lindelöf, Gustaf Lagerbielke, Ludwig Augustinsson; Alexander Isak, Lucas Bergvall, Jens Cajuste; Anthony Elanga, Viktor Gyökeres, Dejan Kulusevski.
Germany 2-1 Ivory Coast
Scorers:
Germany: Deniz Undav (68’, 90+4’)
Ivory Coast: Franck Kessié (30’)
Germany came from behind to secure a dramatic 2-1 win over Ivory Coast in Group J at BMO Field in Toronto, with Deniz Undav scoring twice in the second half, including a stoppage-time winner.
Germany controlled possession early and created several chances, but fell behind in the 30th minute when Franck Kessié punished a loose ball inside the box to give Ivory Coast a surprise lead. Despite sustained pressure, Germany trailed 1-0 at halftime.
Julian Nagelsmann’s side responded with attacking substitutions after the break, bringing on fresh legs including Undav, Nadiem Amiri, and Jamie Leweling. The changes paid off in the 68th minute when Undav finished from close range after a cross from Amiri.
Germany pushed for a winner as Ivory Coast held firm, but in the 90+4th minute Undav struck again, converting Felix Nmecha’s pass to complete the comeback.
The win keeps Germany top of Group J with six points from two matches, while Ivory Coast remain second with three points.
Starting Lineups
Germany (4-2-3-1): Manuel Neuer; Joshua Kimmich, Antonio Rüdiger, Nico Schlotterbeck, David Raum; Leon Goretzka, Florian Wirtz; Leroy Sané, Jamal Musiala, Kai Havertz; Nick Woltemade.
Ivory Coast (4-3-3): Yahia Fofana; Serge Aurier, Evan Ndicka, Willy Boly, Ghislain Konan; Franck Kessié, Seko Fofana, Ibrahim Sangaré; Nicolas Pépé, Sébastien Haller, Amad Diallo.
Ecuador 0-0 Curaçao
Ecuador were held to a goalless draw by Curaçao in their Group E clash at Kansas City Stadium, despite dominating possession and chances throughout.
Ecuador started aggressively, with Enner Valencia and John Yeboah both testing goalkeeper Eloy Room early on. Curaçao, however, stayed compact and relied on counterattacks, occasionally threatening through Livano Comenencia and Juninho Bacuna.
After a goalless first half, Ecuador increased pressure through Gonzalo Plata and long-range efforts, but Room produced a series of key saves to deny the South Americans.
Curaçao also came close through Comenencia’s outside shot in the 60th minute, which was stopped by Hernán Galíndez, but neither side could find a breakthrough.
FIFA statistics showed Ecuador with 63 percent possession and 15 shots on target from 28 attempts, while Curaçao managed 10 shots with three on target.
The draw leaves both Ecuador and Curaçao on one point, with qualification hopes now under pressure.
Starting Lineups
Ecuador (3-5-2): Hernán Galíndez; Piero Hincapié, William Pacho, Alan Franco; Moisés Caicedo, Jordy Alcívar, Pedro Vite, Pervis Estupiñán, John Yeboah; Enner Valencia, Gonzalo Plata.
Curaçao (5-4-1): Eloy Room; Joshua Brenet, Jurien Gaari, Armando Obispo, Riechedly Bazoer, Damil Dankerlui; Tahith Chong, Leandro Bacuna, Juninho Bacuna, Livano Comenencia; Jürgen Locadia.
Read: World Cup Standings: US and Brazil Top Groups C and D
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
