ATLANTA/MONTERREY/KANSAS CITY/TORONTO, JUN 21 (AP/IANS): Spain’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal announced himself on the World Cup stage with a goal just 10 minutes into his first start, inspiring La Roja to a 4-0 victory over Saudi Arabia in their Group H clash.
The 18-year-old forward, returning from a hamstring injury that sidelined him at Barcelona, slid in at the far post to convert Mikel Oyarzabal’s cross and put Spain ahead. Yamal’s celebration — racing away before dropping to his knees in prayer and kissing the turf — captured the emotion of the moment as fans hailed the emergence of a new global star.
Oyarzabal, criticized for his muted display in Spain’s opening 0-0 draw against Cape Verde, silenced doubters with a decisive performance. He not only provided the assist for Yamal’s opener but struck twice himself in quick succession, scoring in the 21st and 24th minutes to effectively seal the contest before halftime.
Spain’s dominance was evident throughout, with Pedri orchestrating play in midfield and Saudi Arabia struggling to cope with the pace and precision of their opponents. The Green Falcons failed to register a meaningful threat, leaving goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais exposed against Spain’s relentless attack.
Coach Luis de la Fuente’s decision to start Yamal proved pivotal, as the teenager’s energy and composure added a new dimension to Spain’s frontline. With this emphatic win, Spain secured three crucial points and reaffirmed their status as pre-tournament favourites. For Saudi Arabia, the defeat underscored the gulf in quality against football’s elite.
Japan seal historic 4-0 win to eliminate Tunisia in Group F
Japan scored four goals in a FIFA World Cup match for the first time as the Asian side breezed past Tunisia 4-0 in the Group F match here at the Monterrey Stadium to move to the cusp of the 2026 World Cup knockout stage.
In 151 previous matches featuring AFC teams at the FIFA World Cup, no nation has ever scored four goals in a match. Japan have become the first to do so. Moreover, Japan’s win is the largest by any nation in World Cup history.
It comes from the inspirational Ayase Ueda, who generated massive hang time in the air and looped a header over the Tunisia defence into the net. In addition, Ueda became the first Japanese to score two goals in a match at the FIFA World Cup.
In the 1,000th match played at the FIFA World Cup, Keito Nakamura was the architect, dancing into the box and squaring across the face of the goal where Daichi Kamada was on hand to prod home through a troupe of blue and white shirts.
Kamada’s fourth-minute goal is the fastest scored by a Japanese player in FIFA World Cup history. The previous quickest was Shinji Kagawa in 2018 against Colombia when he scored in the sixth minute.
Ueda doubled the lead on the half-hour, being allowed the space of the Sierra Madre to stride towards goal and lash home from the top of the box.
Tunisia coach Herve Renard was unable to orchestrate a response, and Japan went further ahead as Ueda turned provider, with Junya Ito slotting home a third midway through the second half. Ueda then grabbed a second late on to complete the comfortable victory.
“We didn’t know exactly what the opponents would do, but we didn’t focus too much on them. Instead, we prepared well for what we wanted to do and played aggressively,” Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu told DAZN.
The win saw Japan level with the Netherlands at the top of Group F, while Tunisia are now eliminated.
Room’s 15-save masterclass earns Curacao first WC point
Eloy Room’s incredible saves helped Curacao to secure their first World Cup point after playing out a goalless draw with Ecuador in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group E encounter here at the Kansas City Stadium on Sunday.
Curacao, the smallest country to ever compete at the global finals, scripted an otherworldly story as Goalkeeper Room was the 15-save hero as they drew 0-0 with Ecuador.
This is just the third goalless draw in 33 World Cup encounters between CONMEBOL and Concacaf nations. The other two were Uruguay 0-0 Mexico – 1966 group stage and Brazil 0-0 Mexico in the 2014 group stage.
With the draw, Curacao, Ecuador and Cote d’Ivoire enter the final matchday with the opportunity to progress to the knockout phase. Germany are already through as group winners, with one game to spare.
Ecuador started brightly as Moises Caicedo unleashed Enner Valencia with a brilliant ball over the top. Valencia was left one on one with Room, but failed to find a way past the Caribbean keeper, setting the tone for the night.
Early on, the Blue Wave were able to take advantage of the space Ecuador left as they pushed for an opener. Bacuna and Locadia made good runs into space and created chances for their midfielders, but they were also unable to find the back of the net.
As the half went on, Ecuador attacked in waves, but no one could find a way past the imperious Room.
As time wound down, Ecuador pressed even harder for a goal and Valencia nearly scored a strong header from a whipped in cross, only to be denied by Room.
Ecuador hit the woodwork three times and had nearly 30 attempts, but were unable to find a way through the Caribbean side’s defence.
Undav’s second-half brace takes Germany through to knockouts
Deniz Undav came off the bench in the second half and scored a brace to see Germany come from behind and advance to the knockouts with a 2-1 win over Cote d’Ivoire in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group E match here at Toronto Stadium on Sunday (IST).
That was absolutely thrilling from start to finish, with Deniz Undav coming off the bench to turn the game on its head. Cote d’Ivoire were 1-0 up when Undav was introduced on the hour. Within eight minutes, he’d equalised and went on to hit a last-gasp winner.
With his brace Undav now has nine goals from his last eight Germany caps.
Germany almost carved out the perfect start when Kai Havertz won a header from kick-off and fired the loose ball just over the crossbar. Joshua Kimmich then found the frontman with a pinpoint cross, but his low header was beaten away by Yahia Fofana.
Fofana was beaten shortly after when Aleksandar Pavlovic headed home a corner from the right, only for the referee to blow after the Bayern Munich midfielder was adjudged to have led with an elbow.
Ivory Coast hung in though, and sucker-punched the four-time champions down the other end. The ever-dangerous Yan Diomande burst down the left and put in a low cross which fell to the feet of Amad Diallo. While Nathaniel Brown made a block, he couldn’t prevent Kessie from tucking home the rebound.
The Africans held their own at the start of the second half, forcing Julian Nagelsmann to shuffle his pack. He called upon Nadiem Amiri and Undav on the hour and just eight minutes later the former sent an inch-perfect cross for the latter to head in the leveller.
Fae turned to his bench and was almost handsomely rewarded himself. Nicholas Pepe broke down the right, and as Evann Guessand dragged away the German defence, Simon Adingra was left all alone on the left side of the box. However, a loose touch saw him crowded out.
That chance proved to be crucial as, four minutes into stoppage time, Lukas Nmecha slid a clever ball through to Undav, who turned and finished with aplomb to break Ivorian hearts. Germany will now wait for Curaçao-Ecuador to see whether they will be confirmed as section winners, but are already assured – at worst – of progressing as one of the eight best third-place teams.