By Ibrahim Kegbegbe
Germany produced the most emphatic result of the 2026 FIFA World Cup so far with a 7-1 demolition of Curacao, while Japan fought to a 2-2 draw against the Netherlands, Ivory Coast edged Ecuador 1-0 and Sweden cruised to a 5-1 victory over Tunisia.
In Group E, four-time world champions Germany underlined their title credentials with a ruthless display against World Cup debutants Curacao. The Germans dominated from start to finish, scoring seven times to move to the top of the group and significantly boost their goal difference.
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Despite the heavy defeat, Curacao managed a consolation goal and continued to earn admiration for their historic appearance at the global tournament.
Also in Group E, Ivory Coast secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Ecuador to make a winning start to their campaign. The narrow success handed the Elephants three crucial points and kept them level with Germany at the summit of the group after the opening round of matches.
Group F provided one of the day’s most entertaining contests as Japan and the Netherlands shared the spoils in a 2-2 draw. The Asian side matched the European giants throughout the encounter, ensuring both teams settled for a point apiece.
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The Merit Newspaper acknowledges that Sweden later produced an impressive attacking display to defeat Tunisia 5-1 and move to the top of Group F. The Scandinavians took control early and never looked back, leaving the North Africans with plenty of work to do in their remaining group matches.
The results leave Germany and Ivory Coast leading Group E with three points each, while Sweden head Group F on three points ahead of Japan and the Netherlands, who have one point apiece. Tunisia remain bottom of Group F after suffering the heaviest defeat in the group.
Attention will now shift to the next round of fixtures, where Germany will face Ivory Coast in a battle for supremacy in Group E, while Sweden are set for a stern test against the Netherlands in what promises to be one of the standout encounters in Group F.
