Game Recap - Soccer Wiretap

The Netherlands secured first place in Group F on Thursday, defeating Tunisia 3-1 behind a goal from Brian Brobbey and two own goals deflected in off Tunisian defenders.

Denzel Dumfries' early cross deflected off Tunisia captain Ellyes Skhiri and into his own net to open the scoring. Brobbey made it 2-0 in the seventh minute, chipping in a header from Virgil van Dijk after a 25-yard free kick, marking his third goal of the tournament. Hazem Mastouri pulled a goal back for Tunisia in the 54th minute before Jan Paul van Hecke's header deflected off Anis Slimane and into the net eight minutes later to restore the Dutch lead.

The result, combined with Japan's 1-1 draw with Sweden, gave the Netherlands top spot in Group F. The Dutch will face Group C runner-up Morocco in the round of 32 on Monday, while Japan draws a difficult matchup against Brazil.

The match was played through worsening weather, with a first-half drizzle turning into a second-half downpour at Arrowhead Stadium following earlier lightning delays that briefly halted the team's pregame fan walk.

The Netherlands, long known as one of the best teams never to win the World Cup, reached the final on three occasions, most recently losing to Spain in extra time in 2010. After opening this tournament with a 2-2 draw against Japan, the Dutch followed with a 5-1 win over Sweden behind two goals apiece from Brobbey and Cody Gakpo.

Tunisia, already eliminated entering the match, extended their winless streak to six games. The team fired coach Sabri Lamouchi after an opening loss to Sweden and brought in Herve Renard, but results did not improve, including a 4-0 defeat to Japan last week.

Japan and Sweden played to a 1-1 draw Thursday, a result that sent both teams into the World Cup knockout round.

Daizen Maeda gave Japan the lead, settling a pass from Ritsu Doan with his left foot before beating goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterstrom with his right. Anthony Elanga equalized six minutes later with a left-footed strike from outside the box, his second goal of the tournament. Japan finished with a 1.31-to-0.61 edge in expected goals despite the draw.

Maeda's goal was Japan's seventh of the tournament, the most the country has scored in a single World Cup, surpassing the six goals managed during their run to the round of 16 in Russia eight years ago. Japan advanced out of the group stage for a third consecutive tournament and fifth time in seven attempts since first reaching the knockout round as co-hosts in 2002.

Elanga nearly won the match in injury time, forcing a diving save from goalkeeper Zion Suzuki. Suzuki then deflected an Alexander Isak header on the resulting corner before securing the ball in a crowd of players to end the threat.

Japan finished second in Group F behind the Netherlands and will face Brazil in Houston on Monday. Sweden advanced to the knockout round for a fourth consecutive qualifying appearance, a streak dating to 1994, when the team reached the semifinals the last time the United States hosted the tournament.

Nicolas Pepe scored twice as Ivory Coast reached the World Cup knockout stage for the first time in program history, defeating tournament debutants Curacao 2-0 and eliminating them from contention.

Pepe opened the scoring in the seventh minute in Philadelphia, slotting home from close range after Yan Diomande's cutback set up a first-time finish inside the six-yard box. Ivory Coast dominated statistically, finishing with a 1.31-to-0.50 edge in xG (expected goals).

Pepe doubled the lead in the 64th minute, collecting a pass from Ibrahim Sangare and firing into the left side of the net to seal the result. The three-time African champions entered the match knowing a draw would be sufficient to advance, having previously beaten Ecuador and lost to Germany.

Curacao had remained in contention for the knockout stage after earning a historic first World Cup point with a scoreless draw against Ecuador. The team managed little offensive threat Thursday and was eliminated by Pepe's second goal, having scored only once across the tournament, in an opening 7-1 defeat to Germany.

Ivory Coast advance as Group E runners-up and will face either France or Norway in the round of 32.

"It's a source of pride and joy. We've qualified for the knockout stage, so for the people of Cote d'Ivoire, this is a source of pride," said Pepe. "We're going to try to go as far as possible, we have the players and the quality to do it. We'll need to stay focused, rest up, and see who we'll be playing against."

Ecuador rallied for a 2-1 victory over Germany on Thursday, with Gonzalo Plata's 77th-minute goal sending the South Americans into the World Cup knockout stage.

Germany, who had already clinched first place in Group E, took an early lead through Leroy Sane's second-minute strike. Nilson Angulo equalized for Ecuador in the ninth minute, beating goalkeeper Manuel Neuer to the far post after Felix Nmecha lost possession in midfield. Ecuador finished with a 1.27-to-0.65 edge in expected goals.

Plata, who had taken a kick to the head during Germany's opening goal, scored the winner after Pedro Vite's corner was headed on by Kevin Rodriguez. Plata toe-poked the ball past Neuer just as the 40-year-old goalkeeper appeared set to gather it.

The result snapped Germany's winning streak at 11 matches, one short of the team's all-time record. Neuer has now conceded more goals at the tournament than he has made saves, and Germany have allowed a goal in nine consecutive World Cup matches, tying their longest such stretch in tournament history.

The win marked Ecuador's first victory over UEFA opposition in any competition since 2013. The team finished third in Group E with four points and is guaranteed advancement as one of the eight best third-place finishers, reaching the knockout stage for just the second time and the first since 2006.

A crowd of 80,663 at MetLife Stadium pushed total World Cup attendance to a record 3,605,357, surpassing the previous mark set across 52 matches at the 1994 tournament in the United States.

Germany will play their round of 32 match Monday in Foxborough, Massachusetts, likely against Paraguay, Australia or Sweden.

South Africa advanced to the World Cup knockout phase for the first time in program history, defeating South Korea 1-0 on Wednesday to finish second in Group A behind unbeaten Mexico.

Thapelo Maseko scored the decisive goal in the 63rd minute, finishing a precise cross from Tshepang Moremi. South Africa edged South Korea statistically as well, finishing with a 1.10-to-1.00 advantage in xG (expected goals).

Bafana Bafana had previously failed to escape the group stage in 1998, 2002 and as hosts in 2010. The team opened this tournament with a 2-0 loss to Mexico before salvaging a 1-1 draw with Czechia on a late goal, entering Wednesday's match behind both Mexico and a favored South Korea side.

South Korea coach Hong Myung-bo left captain Son Heung-min out of his starting lineup, a decision that drew scrutiny. The LAFC forward, who has often carried South Korea's attack over the past decade, entered as a halftime substitute but could not produce the result his team needed.

South Korea opened the tournament with a comeback win over Czechia before falling to Mexico in their second match. The team will now need to wait and hope to advance as one of the eight best third-place finishers across all groups.

South Africa will face Canada, the second-place finisher in Group B, in the round of 32 on Sunday in Inglewood, California.

Mexico completed a perfect group stage Wednesday, defeating Czechia 3-0 to secure top spot in Group A and a place in the World Cup knockout rounds. Mexico dominated play, finishing with a 1.79-to-0.47 edge in expected goals.

Alvaro Fidalgo scored the clinching third goal late in the match, capping off the win at Estadio Azteca. The victory gave Mexico three wins in three games to open the tournament.

Goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa entered in the 78th minute, marking his appearance in a sixth World Cup and his fourth time earning minutes at the tournament. A long ball from Ochoa started the sequence that led directly to Fidalgo's goal. The 40-year-old, currently a backup to starter Raul Rangel, received a thunderous ovation from the crowd at a stadium where he built his reputation during a standout career with Club America.

"Obviously, it would be extraordinary. Something really cool for 'Memo.' For me, he's a legend of the Mexican national team," said winger Alexis Vega ahead of the match. "I think he's a player who has always been ready to play for the national team. In the end, 'Vasco' will make the decision. I think the 26 of us here are ready if we get the opportunity."

Rangel, 26, started Mexico's two previous group stage victories over South Korea and South Africa, results that had already clinched the team's place in the knockout rounds.

"Whether it's Memo or whoever plays, everyone is prepared for whatever comes their way," said midfielder Roberto Alvarado. "We'd be happy to see 'Memo' in the net. Obviously, we know that 'Tala' is doing things in the best way possible."

Brazil secured the top spot in Group C with a 3-0 victory over Scotland on Wednesday, with Vinicius Junior scoring twice and Matheus Cunha adding a third as Neymar also made his first international appearance in three years.

Vinicius capitalized on Scottish defensive errors for both his goals, finishing into an empty net in the seventh minute after a deflected pass and heading home unmarked at the far post in first-half stoppage time. Brazil dominated statistically, finishing with a 4.46-to-1.13 edge in expected goals.

Cunha extended the lead in the 60th minute, easing home a chance after Scotland's defense was disrupted by a physical challenge from Bruno Guimaraes. Neymar entered in the 76th minute to a large ovation from the Brazil-heavy crowd in South Florida, marking his first Brazil minutes since 2023.

Vinicius, 25, became the fifth Brazilian player to score in all three group stage matches at a single World Cup, joining Jairzinho, Romario, Ronaldo and Rivaldo, each of whom went on to win the title that year. His tally under coach Carlo Ancelotti now stands at seven goals in 13 appearances, compared to six in 39 matches under previous coaches.

Scotland coach Steve Clarke made a halftime change, substituting captain Andy Robertson for Kieran Tierney, which briefly sparked life into the team. Scott McTominay had a clear headed chance saved by Alisson shortly after the restart.

The result advances Brazil to face the Group F runner-up, likely Japan or the Netherlands, in the round of 32 in Houston on Monday. Scotland's hopes of reaching the knockout stage for the first time in program history now depend on other results, finishing with a goal difference of minus-3.

Substitutes Soufiane Rahimi and Gessime Yassine scored late goals Wednesday to lift Morocco past Haiti 4-2, ending the Caribbean nation's hopes of earning a first-ever World Cup point.

Haiti, competing on the world's biggest stage for the first time in 52 years, twice took the lead against Morocco. Lenny Joseph opened the scoring in the 10th minute with a back-heeled flick, becoming Haiti's first World Cup scorer since Emmanuel Sanon in 1974. Morocco dominated overall play, finishing with a commanding 3.26-to-0.66 edge in xG (expected goals).

Achraf Hakimi equalized for Morocco in the 39th minute, bundling in a deflected cross that goalkeeper Johny Placide could only partially block. Wilson Isidor restored Haiti's lead four minutes later with a strike from outside the box, before Ismael Saibari leveled again in stoppage time, his third goal of the tournament, to make it 2-2 at halftime.

Rahimi's deflected shot put Morocco ahead for good in the 78th minute, and Yassine sealed the result with a goal in the 89th.

The victory secured Morocco's place in the round of 32, finishing second in Group C behind Brazil, who defeated Scotland 3-0 in the other group match. Morocco, the reigning Africa Cup of Nations champion and the first African team to reach a World Cup semifinal four years ago in Qatar, had ambitions of another deep run but received a scare from a Haitian side ranked 74 places lower in the FIFA standings.

Breel Embolo set up two second-half goals as Switzerland defeated co-host Canada 2-1 on Wednesday in Vancouver, clinching first place in Group B and dashing Canada's hopes of a knockout-round match on home soil.

The match remained scoreless through a tense first half, with both sides squandering chances. Embolo saw an early shot blocked by goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau, while Cyle Larin forced a save from Gregor Kobel after running onto a pass from Jonathan David. Canada finished with a 1.66-to-1.11 edge in xG (expected goals) despite the result.

Switzerland broke through 40 seconds into the second half, with Embolo dispossessing Alistair Johnston and crossing for Ruben Vargas to finish at the near post. Johan Manzambi added a second in the 57th minute after Crepeau failed to hold a shot following a setup from Embolo.

Substitute Promise David pulled Canada within a goal in the 76th minute, converting a cross from Nathan Saliba. Johnston nearly leveled deep into stoppage time but could not direct his header past Kobel.

The win kept Switzerland unbeaten and secured top spot in Group B over Bosnia-Herzegovina on head-to-head record. Coach Jesse Marsch's side will return to Vancouver for their round of 32 match, while Canada finishes second and must travel to Los Angeles for their knockout fixture.

Bosnia-Herzegovina eliminated Qatar from the World Cup with a 3-1 victory Wednesday, strengthening their position to advance to the round of 32 as one of the tournament's best third-place finishers.

Kerim Alajbegovic, 18, opened the scoring in the 29th minute with a powerful shot from 20 yards, becoming the eighth-youngest scorer in World Cup history and the youngest ever for Bosnia-Herzegovina. Bosnia finished with a 1.57-to-1.02 edge in xG (expected goals).

Sead Kolasinac set up a second goal in the 34th minute, with a deflected Edin Dzeko volley going in off Qatar defender Sultan Al-Brake for an own goal. Hassan Al Haydos answered for Qatar in the 42nd minute to keep the match competitive, but Ermin Mahmic restored Bosnia's two-goal cushion in the 80th minute.

Bosnia-Herzegovina, appearing in just their second World Cup after debuting in Brazil in 2014, would reach the knockout stage for the first time in program history if they advance as a third-place qualifier. The eight best third-place finishers across all 12 groups earn spots in the round of 32, with Bosnia's likely opponent being one of the tournament's co-hosts in the United States.

Qatar finished the tournament without a win. Earlier Wednesday, Qatar midfielder Assim Madibo received a five-match ban for a tackle that broke the leg of Canada's Ismael Kone during their June 18 meeting.

Canada lost to Switzerland in the other Group A match Wednesday, finishing second in the standings and setting up a round of 32 trip within the United States.