RecapSunday, June 21

Dutch Demolition and a German Grind Keep the Heavyweights Rolling; Ecuador Stumble Against Tiny Curaçao

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The Netherlands battered Sweden 5–1 in Group F's marquee clash, Germany survived a spirited Ivorian test 2–1 to stay perfect in Group E, and Ecuador's shock goalless draw with Curaçao opened the door for chaos in the group's finale.

The pool nailed Germany's narrow win—63 of you backed Die Mannschaft and 26 called the exact 2–1 scoreline—but nobody saw Ecuador's stalemate coming: 69 picked La Tri to breeze past the minnows, and just one brave soul had 0–0.

Oranje Unleashed: Netherlands Eviscerate Sweden in Five-Star Rout

Ronald Koeman's side turned a tight Group F encounter into a statement thrashing, running out 5–1 winners over Sweden in a match that pre-game odds (Bet365 had the Dutch around 1.70 favourites according to OddsPortal data) suggested would be closer. Fifty-three of you backed the Netherlands and the bookies agreed—but nobody predicted the avalanche. After a cagey opening, Cody Gakpo sparked the Oranje explosion with a clinical finish just before the half-hour, and from there the floodgates opened: Memphis Depay doubled the lead, Denzel Dumfries added a third, and late strikes from substitutes Wout Weghorst and Brian Brobbey turned it into a procession. Viktor Gyökeres grabbed a consolation for the Swedes, but it was cold comfort. The result leaves the Netherlands top of Group F on four points with a plus-four goal difference, while Sweden—who opened with a gritty win over Japan—slip to second on three points and now face a nervy final matchday.

Germany Survive Ivorian Scare to March On

Die Mannschaft made it two wins from two in Group E, but Côte d'Ivoire made them sweat for every inch of it. Pre-match betting lines (Sky Bet and others per Oddschecker) pegged Germany as heavy favourites at around 1.40, and 63 of you duly tipped a home win—26 nailing the exact 2–1 scoreline that unfolded. Kai Havertz opened the scoring early, his intelligent movement unlocking an Ivorian backline that had looked organized in their opener. Niclas Füllkrug doubled the advantage before the break, and for a spell it looked like another comfortable German procession. But the Elephants roared back: Sébastien Haller's powerful header halved the deficit and suddenly the hosts were hanging on, Julian Nagelsmann prowling his technical area as the Ivorians pressed for an equalizer that never quite arrived. The win puts Germany top of the group with a perfect six points and a plus-seven goal difference—already one foot in the knockouts—while Côte d'Ivoire sit second on three points, level with Ecuador on the table but ahead on goal difference.

Curaçao Stun Ecuador in Goalless Draw Nobody Saw Coming

In the evening's final act, Ecuador delivered the shock of the day—and not in a good way. Sixty-nine of you predicted a comfortable La Tri victory over the tournament's smallest nation, and the bookmakers (Betfair had Ecuador around 1.20 pre-match per available lines) made them overwhelming favourites. Instead, Curaçao—hammered 5–0 by Germany in their opener—dug in and held firm for a priceless 0–0 draw that throws Group E wide open. Ecuador peppered the Curaçao goal but found goalkeeper Eloy Room in inspired form, the Dutch-based shot-stopper pulling off a string of saves to deny Enner Valencia and Moisés Caicedo. Just one pool member saw this coming—the only person to predict 0–0—and they deserve a medal. The result leaves Ecuador third on a single point from two matches, level with Curaçao but behind on goal difference, and suddenly facing the very real prospect of an early exit. Germany are through as group winners with a game to spare; Côte d'Ivoire need just a point against the Dutch in the final round to guarantee their place in the last 32, while Ecuador must beat Sweden and hope other results fall their way. The pool managed a 67 percent accuracy rate across the three matches—solid, but Ecuador's stumble cost plenty of you.

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