Your daily summary of all the action from the FIFA World Cup 2026™ | Group Stage, Day 4
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Day 4 of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ brought seven goals in Monterrey, a moment of sporting dignity in the same stadium, a goalkeeping masterclass that no one saw coming, and — as if that were not enough — Japan equalising in the 88th minute against the Netherlands to prove that this tournament has no intention of being predictable.
Four matches. Four stories. Here is everything you need to know.
Germany 7–1 Curaçao | Group E | 10:30 PM IST (June 14)
The night began — technically, just after midnight for those watching from India — with Germany delivering the most emphatic scoreline of the tournament so far. Felix Nmecha opened the scoring in the 6th minute, Curaçao responded with a historic equaliser through Livano Comenencia in the 21st — the smallest nation in World Cup history had scored their first-ever goal — and then Germany reminded everyone why they are one of the favourites.
Schlotterbeck headed in a corner. Havertz converted a penalty. Musiala scored within two minutes of the second half starting. Nathaniel Brown, Deniz Undav, and Havertz again completed the rout. 7–1. Germany are scoring at will.
Netherlands 2–2 Japan | Group F | 1:30 AM IST
The Dutch looked like they had done enough — twice. Van Dijk headed them in front in the 51st minute. Japan equalised through Nakamura’s deflected effort in the 57th. Summerville restored the lead with a curling gem in the 64th. And then, in the 88th minute, Daichi Kamada powered a header from a corner, and Japan were level again.
Japan converted two of their three shots on target. They came from behind twice. The Netherlands, for all their superiority in possession, could not hold a lead when it mattered. Group F is genuinely open — and Japan have shown the character and clinical edge to threaten any side in it.
Ivory Coast 1–0 Ecuador | Group E | 4:30 AM IST
Ecuador hit the woodwork three times. Enner Valencia missed one from ten yards. They dominated the match for long stretches and created enough chances to win comfortably. Then Wilfried Singo made a run down the right in the 90th minute, crossed, and Amad Diallo side-footed it into the bottom corner.
Ivory Coast’s first World Cup goal in twelve years — and their first win in the same period — arrived with seconds to spare. Ecuador’s 19-game unbeaten run is over. This is the World Cup being the World Cup.
Sweden 5–1 Tunisia | Group F | 7:30 AM IST
The match of the morning began with one of the tournament’s most powerful moments. Yasin Ayari, born in Sweden to Tunisian-Moroccan parents, curled a stunning long-range effort into the top corner in the 6th minute — and chose not to celebrate. A quiet, dignified acknowledgement of the complexity of the moment. The goal was spectacular. The silence was louder.
What followed was a comprehensive Swedish performance. Isak made it 2–0 from a Gyökeres counter-attack. Omar Rekik gave Tunisia brief hope with a header before halftime. But Gyökeres capitalised on a Skhiri turnover in the 58th minute to restore Sweden’s two-goal cushion, substitute Svanberg added a fourth in the 83rd, and Ayari completed his brace deep in stoppage time. Sweden top Group F on goal difference. Viktor Gyökeres and Alexander Isak look like the most dangerous striking partnership in the tournament.
Tonight: Spain vs Cape Verde | Group G | 9:30 PM IST
The day is not done yet. Spain — the reigning European champions and among the pre-tournament favourites — open their Group G campaign against Cape Verde at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta at 9:30 PM IST. Lamine Yamal, Pedri, and Nico Williams are expected to start. Cape Verde arrive as genuine underdogs but have shown at recent Africa Cup of Nations tournaments that they are capable of disciplined, dangerous football.
After everything Day 4 has already produced, it would be unwise to assume anything.
The Day in Numbers
Goals scored: 14 | Biggest margin of victory: Germany 7–1 Curaçao | Late equalisers: 1 (Kamada, 88th minute) | 90th-minute winners: 1 (Amad Diallo) | Silent celebrations: 1 (Ayari, respect) | Woodwork strikes in a single match: 4 (Ecuador vs Ivory Coast).
Spain vs Cape Verde kicks off tonight at 9:30 PM IST — watch it live on ZEE5. Every FIFA World Cup 2026™ match is streaming in India on ZEE5. Don’t miss a moment.
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