If Friday was quiet, Saturday made up for it. Germany needed the very last kick, the Netherlands and Japan ran riot, and World Cup debutants Curaçao held on for one of the day's best stories. Eleven goals, and plenty of drama.
Germany 2–1 Ivory Coast
The game of the day. Ivory Coast struck first through Franck Kessié on the half-hour in Toronto and dared to dream of an upset. Enter Deniz Undav: the German forward levelled on 68 minutes, then — with the clock showing 90+4 — popped up again to win it at the death.
For Germany it was equal parts relief and statement: contenders find a way even on the nights things aren't clicking, and Undav's late, late winner is the sort of moment that can define a tournament run. Spare a thought for Ivory Coast, though — they were seconds from a famous point, undone right at the finish. They'll take huge encouragement from how they pushed one of the favourites, and real heartbreak from how it ended.
Netherlands 5–1 Sweden
A goal feast in Houston. Brian Brobbey set the tone with two inside the first 17 minutes, then Cody Gakpo matched him with a quick double early in the second half. Anthony Elanga pulled one back for Sweden, but Crysencio Summerville rounded off the rout near the end.
This was the Dutch attack in full flow — two forwards each helping themselves to a brace, and a fifth to finish in style. Five goals is a statement of intent and a serious boost to a goal difference that can decide tight groups. Sweden will want to forget this one quickly; Elanga's strike was a brief consolation, but they were second best from the fifth minute and never recovered.
Japan 4–0 Tunisia
Japan were ruthless in Monterrey. Daichi Kamada opened the scoring after just four minutes, Ayase Ueda added a goal in each half for his brace, and Junya Ito chipped in too for a commanding four-goal win.
It was the manner as much as the margin that impressed: an early goal to settle the nerves, then a controlled, relentless build to four. Ueda's two strikes — one either side of the break — capped a near-perfect night for the forward. Tunisia simply had no answer and will need to regroup fast; on this evidence, Japan look like a side nobody in the draw will fancy meeting.
Ecuador 0–0 Curaçao
The fairytale of the day. Curaçao — one of the smallest nations ever to reach a World Cup — dug in for a goalless draw against Ecuador in Kansas City and earned a precious point.
No goals, but for a debutant island side a clean sheet against tougher opponents is a result to celebrate long into the night. They defended for their lives and held firm, the kind of unglamorous, whole-hearted display that wins a small nation a host of new admirers. Ecuador, meanwhile, will be frustrated they couldn't break down such determined resistance — proof that at a World Cup, no opponent can be taken lightly.
Reports are based on verified full-time scores and goalscorers. Unofficial fan page — not affiliated with FIFA.