World Cup 2026 Day 10: Group F Recap

After Group F's Matchday 2 on Saturday, the Netherlands sit at the top of the group with four points. Japan is in second, also with four points. Sweden is in third, and Tunisia has become the third team to be eliminated from the World Cup. 

General view inside the stadium before the match

Pedro Nunes

World Cup Group F - Matchday 2

Netherlands 5 - 1 Sweden 

This was a big statement win for the Dutch. Japan had them on the ropes last Sunday, and Sweden dominated Tunisia so badly that Tunisia sacked its manager after the match.

All eyes were on the Dutch in this matchday to see if they could find a groove, and they did. Instead of a close battle between two dark horses, which was what a lot of us thought this match would be, the Netherlands showed no mercy. 

The Dutch repeatedly found space between Sweden's midfield and back line from the opening whistle. It didn't take long for them to capitalize on finding space, as Brian Brobbey put the Dutch up 1-0 in just the 5'. An excellent pass from Cody Gakpo on the wing found Brobbey to take the lead. 

Netherlands' Cody Gakpo celebrates scoring their fourth goal

Annegret Hilse

Just 12 minutes later, Brobbey found the back of the net again for a brace and to put his country up 2-0. Denzel Dumfries fired a first-time ball from Donyell Malen into the box that found Brobbey for a second time. A sliding Brobbey was able to get just enough of his foot on the ball to double the lead. 

Viktor Gyokeres had a strong chance to pull the Swedes to within one in the 36', but Bart Verbruggen was able to get across for the save. Sweden looked more composed in the latter stages of the first half, though they failed to score. 

It didn't take long again at all for the Dutch to triple the lead in the second half. Cody Gakpo found the back of the net in the 47' from another beautiful cross by Dumfries. Seven minutes later, Gakpo was the next player to find a brace. Gakpo entered the box after receiving a pass from Crrysencio Summerville, dropped his shoulder, and fired a shot low into the bottom left corner. The match was well out of reach for Sweden, even more so at this point. 

Netherlands' Bart Verbruggen makes a save from Sweden's Besfort Zeneli.

Phil Noble

Anthony Elanga got the Swedes on the board in the 59' to hopefully make the match more competitive. Alexander Isak saw Elanga sprinting between the Dutch defense and fired a through ball that Elanga sent into the top left corner. 

Summerville would add his second goal in as many games in the 89'. A quick-paced sequence in the midfield and along the wings allowed Memphis Depay to connect with Summerville, who scored the fifth Dutch goal of the day. 

The Swedes had possession on their side in the second half (57% - 43%) and total shots. They were only able to connect on one goal. The Dutch were just too overwhelming in this one. 

Tunisia 0-4 Japan

Hervé Renard took over as the Tunisia boss early this week after Sabri Lamouchi was sacked following the loss to Sweden last week. There was no major bounce-back for Tunisia as Japan throttled them, winning 4-0.

General view inside the stadium before the match

Raquel Cunha

Daichi Kamada opened the scoring for Japan in just the 4'. From that point on, Tunisia was already out of it. Ayase Ueda doubled the lead for Japan in the 31'. Japan was consistently finding space behind Tunisia's backline, which was too much for Tunisia to handle.

Tunisia looked out of place against Sweden, but looked even more disjointed against this Japan side. 

Japan's Ayase Ueda scores their fourth goal

Eloisa Sanchez

Junya Ito added Japan's third goal in the 69', then Ueda scored a brace in the 83' to cap off the rout. 

Tunisia was held to nothing offensively. Japan smothered them all night long, allowing them to pull off only two shots, neither of which was on target.  Tunisia also only had eight touches inside Japan's box. 

Tunisia's Anis Slimane and Ellyes Skhiri in action as Japan's Ayase Ueda scores their fourth goal

Raquel Cunha

Japan continues to look dangerous in this tournament. 

Day 10, Group F, Round-up:

Group F resumes play on Thursday night. Japan faces Sweden, and Tunisia faces the Netherlands. Both games are at 7:00 pm EDT.  The Netherlands, Japan, and Sweden all have a chance to win the group on the final day!

Day 11 of the World Cup comes to us on Sunday. Groups G and H play their second games. Every team in those two groups has one point, so there is everything to play for on the day!