Deniz Undav came off the bench to score for the second game running, this time sparing Germany’s blushes against the Ivory Coast and sending them into the Round of 32 as Group E winners.

With his side still trailing to Franck Kessie’s first-half goal, German boss Julian Nagelsmann introduced Undav as part of a game-transforming triple change on the hour mark.

It took all of eight minutes for Undav to have an impact, combining with fellow substitute Nadiem Amiri to notch the equaliser.

But the 29-year-old Stuttgart striker saved his most significant contribution until last, completing the turnaround with a pandemonium-sparking winner four minutes into stoppage time.

Having scored once and provided two assists in Germany’s tournament-opening 7-1 rout of Curacao, Undav already boasts five goal involvements at this World Cup – more than any other player – and, remarkably, he’s done it an average of one every 11.2 minutes.

🇩🇪 Undav reprises super-sub role in dramatic victory

Sweden made a dream start to their 2026 World Cup campaign by thumping Tunisia 5-1; their second Group F match against the Netherlands proved veritably nightmarish.

Brian Brobbey – who had scored just once in his first 13 senior caps – and Cody Gakpo both bagged braces as Ronald Koeman’s side ran riot in Houston, substitute Crysencio Summerville then making it five with his second goal of the tournament.

This Dutch drubbing came despite Sweden out-shooting their opponents 16-10 – proof that it’s so often a case of quality over quantity in that department.

And the result leaves Group F wide open heading into the final round of group fixtures: the Netherlands and Japan lead the way on four points apiece with Sweden a point behind.

🇸🇪 Potter confident Sweden will learn from Netherlands thrashing

Goalkeeper Eloy Room made a whopping 15 saves as first-time qualifiers Curacao showed superb resilience to bounce back from their 7-1 demolition by Germany, holding Ecuador to a 0-0 draw in Kansas City.

No ‘keeper on record (dating back to 1966) has made as many stops in a World Cup match which didn’t go to extra time, with the 37-year-old finishing with a goals prevented total of 2.27.

Curacao’s maiden World Cup point gives the tiny Caribbean island nation a genuine chance of reaching the Round of 32.

🇨🇼 Sensational Room earns tournament debutants historic World Cup point

Already onto their second boss of the 2026 World Cup, Herve Renard replacing the sacked Sabri Lamouchi, there was to be no ‘new manager bounce’ for Tunisia as they went down 4-0 to Japan in Monterrey – becoming just the fourth side in the competition’s history to lose consecutive games by four goals or more.

It’s fair to say it’s been a disastrous tournament for the Eagles of Carthage, who became the third side eliminated.

All eight teams in action on day 10 of the World Cup are looking to get their campaigns up and running, having drawn their openers.

Spain and Saudi Arabia get us underway in Group H, followed by Belgium’s Group G clash with Iran.

It’s then back to Group H as Uruguay take on Cape Verde before New Zealand and Egypt meet in Group G.

Spain will enter their encounter with Saudi Arabia in Atlanta as firm favourites – though that was also the case before they were held to a shock 0-0 draw by tournament debutants Cape Verde on matchday one.

The 2010 winners – whose current streak of four games without victory is their joint worst in World Cups – had 27 shots last time out but were repeatedly quelled by the heroics of goalkeeper Vozinha, who saved the seven which hit the target.

But Saudi shot-stopper Mohammed Al Owais was even busier in his country’s opening 1-1 draw with Uruguay, keeping out nine of 10 attempts on goal – a portent sign for Spain, perhaps?

🇪🇸 🇸🇦 Preview: Spain look to kickstart World Cup campaign vs. Saudi Arabia

Belgium go up against Iran in Los Angeles having failed to win any of their last three World Cup matches, with their opponents looking for only their fourth victory in the competition.

The Red Devils made an early exit four years ago in Qatar but haven’t gone out at the group stage in successive World Cups since 1970 (though they didn’t qualify between 1958 and 1966).

Record scorer Romelu Lukaku reiterated his importance by coming off the bench to force the equalising own goal in last week’s 1-1 draw with Egypt, but is the injury-plagued striker fit enough to start?

Cape Verde must feel invincible after fending off a Spanish onslaught in their first-ever World Cup game – not least Vozinha, a sensation between the sticks.

So, the Blue Sharks shouldn’t mind doing it all again when they run into another former world champion in Miami in the form of Uruguay, who are looking for three points that would almost certainly ensure they avoid a second straight group-stage exit for the first time ever.

Thunderstorms are forecast for the area, but we already know Cape Verde don’t mind soaking up high pressure.

New Zealand and Egypt go head-to-head in Vancouver both seeking a first-ever World Cup win.

What’s more, victory for either side will put them on the cusp of a first-ever World Cup knockout appearance.

New Zealand came agonisingly close to achieving that at their last finals 16 years ago, drawing all three group games to bow out unbeaten; Egypt have never picked up more than two group points.