On this edition of World Cup Recap, Houston is painted bright orange, Germany breaks their unlucky streak, another goalkeeper from a small nation makes history and the 1,000th World Cup match is played.
Netherlands tulip-stomps Sweden
The city of Houston got painted bright orange as the Netherlands thrashed Sweden 5-1 at Houston Stadium in an all-important Group F contest.
What was originally one of the most tactically intriguing matches of the day turned into a stomping, with the Swedes suffering their worst-ever World Cup defeat since losing to Brazil 7-1 in the final round of the 1950 edition.
The game was effectively over by the 54th minute, with Dutch forward Brian Brobbey nabbing two goals after 17 minutes, the fourth-fastest brace in tournament history, before fellow forward Cody Gakpo recorded his own brace nine minutes into the second half.
Anthony Elanga would soften the blow for Sweden with a goal in the 59th minute, with a comeback seemingly on the horizon. But it was only worth a consolation prize, and in the 89th minute, Crysencio Summerville added an insurance goal to cap off a big day for the Oranje.
The Swedes didn’t perform badly, but when it felt they were getting back into the swing of things, the Netherlands closed them down hard, and now takes first place in the group.
Deniz Undav ends Germany’s knockout stage wait
Deniz Undav reprised his super-sub role once, scoring a brace to give Germany a vital 2-1 victory against the Ivory Coast in Toronto.
The win was a significant one as well, as Die Mannschaft now advances to the knockout stages for the first time since 2014 in Brazil, where they won the whole tournament.
But the Germans had to work for it, though, as the Ivorians took the lead in the 30th minute when Amad Diallo’s shot is blocked by Nathaniel Brown inside the Germans’ penalty box, but captain Franck Kessié put in the loose ball past Manuel Neuer and into the back of the net to give Les Éléphants the lead.
But Germany did not falter and kept pressing for an equalizer, even with the Ivory Coast creating quality chances of their own. And it came in the 68th minute, when fellow sub Nadiem Amiri launched a cross towards the Ivorians’ box, where Undav makes a run from deep and volley’s the ball past goalkpeer Yahia Fofana and into the top of the net to tie it.
And now with both teams looking for the winning goal, Ivory Coast thought they had the winner in 90th minute when Nicolas Pépé picked out a pass to Simon Adingra with acres of space on the left, but instead of shooting it first-time, took a touch that turned possesion over.
And that missed big chance came back to haunt the Ivorians in the 90+4th minute, when Undav recieved a well-placed pass from Felix Nmecha inside the box, before turning with his first touch and firing his shot past Fofana to give the Germans the lead and the win as they now top Group E.
Despite only playing 56 minutes, Undav leads the tournament with five goal contributions (three goals and two assists).
Curaçao nabs historic point thank to Eloy Room heroics.
Curaçaoan goalkeeper Eloy Room etched himself into the history books, as his heroics in goal helped Curaçao earn its first-ever World Cup point in a 0-0 draw against Ecuador.
After conceding seven goals against Germany on Sunday, June 14th, Room bounced back in a big way. Despite the Ecuadorians dominating possession and having 27 shots with an expected goals (xG) of 2.84, nothing could get past Room that day, who saved 15 shots on the night, while also adding in 16 recoveries.
The 15 saves are the second-most ever in World Cup game, trailing only behind Tim Howard’s 16 saves for the USA in its 2014 World Cup Round of 16 matchup vs Belgium.
Small nation goalkeepers have been making history this tournament, with Cape Verde’s Vozinha making saving seven saves in a 0-0 draw against reigning European champions Spain on Matchday 1, becoming the third-oldest goalkeeper to keep a clean sheet at a World Cup game.
Japan dominates in the 1,000th World Cup match
In what was the 1,000th match played in the tournament, Japan sliced past Tunisia with a 4-0 victory in Monterrey, ending the Tunisians’ tumultuous campaign in the process.
After then-manager Sabri Lamouchi was sacked following Tunisia’s 5-1 opening match defeat to Sweden, French compatriot Hervé Renard was brought in help salvage the Tunisians’ World Cup journey. But the Samurai Blue had other plans.
Japan showed why they are one of the most exciting teams of the tournament, with a solid defense and an attack that plays with ferocity no matter the opponent.
Ayase Ueda led the line with two goals and an assist, Daichi Kamada scored the opener four minutes into the match and Junya Ito scored the third in the 69th after a beautiful flick pass from Ueda.
The Japanese are now tied with the Netherlands on four points in Group F.
Delivered by Sean Paul
