Hello and welcome to Daily Mail Sport’s World Cup Breakfast from day five at the tournament – your one-stop shop for everything you’ve missed overnight in North America.
For all the latest news, viral moments and what to look out for, stay right here.
OVERNIGHT ACTION
We might have a severe case of World Cup fever, but one man who doesn’t is Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
The legendary striker missed Sweden’s return to the world stage because he wanted to attend the UFC event on the White House lawn.
And what a feast of football he missed. We were treated to 19 goals in the overnight action, by far our most generous helping yet, and multiple storylines to dive into.
Manchester United star Amad Diallo became a hero for the Ivory Coast while Sweden, powered by Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres, staked their claim to being the tournament’s best strike force.
Germany thrashed minnows Curacao 7-1 in a brutal, cathartic recreation of their demolition of Brazil in 2014.
And what would a World Cup be without Japan’s fans being so delightful?
Zlatan Ibrahimovic had no time to watch Sweden – he was at the UFC at the White House!
Netherlands 2-2 Japan (Group F)
The pre-match billing was that these were two evenly matched teams and so it proved in Dallas.
After an underwhelming first half, the match sprung to life in the second with Virgil van Dijk opening the scoring by heading in a cross from his Liverpool team-mate Cody Gakpo.
The Netherlands’ advantage proved short lived with Keito Nakamura equalising for Japan six minutes later. Nakamura superbly worked space on the edge of the box before a snap shot found the bottom corner of Bart Verbruggen’s net.
Crysencio Summerville restored the Netherlands’ lead, as he cut onto his left foot and superbly found the bottom corner of Zion Suzuki’s net.
Despite Ronald Koeman switching to five at the back for the closing stages, the Dutch were unable to hold on as Japan levelled again. Koki Ogawa rose to head a late corner goalwards, which hit his team-mate Daichi Kamada on its way into the net.
READ TOM COLLOMOSSE’S REPORT HERE
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Japan fought back twice to secure a point against the Netherlands in their Group F opener
Sweden 5-1 Tunisia (Group F)
Sweden showed the rest of the World Cup just how potent they can be as they blew away Tunisia with clinical finishes.
Yasin Ayari bookended the match with two thunderbolts from outside the box – pick either for the goal of the tournament so far.
He refused to celebrate the first as his father is Tunisian; by the second in stoppage-time he was too ecstatic to contain himself.
Playing side by side, Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres both scored and assisted each other (sort of) in a display of attacking prowess from Graham Potter’s side.
Mattias Svanberg also got on the scoresheet for the Scandinavians after a lengthy VAR check, meaning they scored five from 13 shots. Omar Rekik scored a header for Tunisia but they needed more than that.
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Viktor Gyokeres and Alexander Isak both scored and fed each other in a dominant Sweden win
Ivory Coast 1-0 Ecuador (Group E)
Manchester United ace Amad Diallo scored a 90th-minute winner to end Ecuador’s two-year unbeaten run.
The winger had surprisingly been left out of Emerse Fae’s starting line-up but produced a pinpoint first-time finish to demolish Ecuador’s 19-game invincible streak.
Ivory Coast, in their first World Cup match since 2014, were spared three times by the bar throughout the match as the South Americans pushed.
It looked like we were headed for one of Ecuador’s trademark 0-0s – they had eight in their 18-game qualifying period – as Sebastian Beccacece’s side kept attacking stars such as Liverpool target Yan Diomande under wraps.
But a counter-attack from Ivory Coast, fuelled by a run from Wilfried Songo and finished by Diallo, puts the African team in a strong position to escape the group.
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Germany 7-1 Curacao (Group E)
Germany were dealt an early shock from World Cup debutants Curacao, but ultimately cruised to a dominant victory in their World Cup opener.
The four-time champions took an early lead through Felix Nmecha, but were then shocked when Livano Comenencia’s deflected shot saw the Curacao – the smallest nation to feature at the World Cup – draw level.
Germany put the setback behind them with Nico Schlotterbeck and a penalty from Kai Havertz giving them a 3-1 lead at half-time.
A fine finish from Jamal Musiala in the opening minutes of the second half put the game out of reach of Curacao, with Nathaniel Brown, Deniz Undav and a second from Havertz giving Germany a crushing win.
Despite the scoreline, Curacao’s players were celebrated by their fans having scored a historic first goal at the World Cup.
READ IAN HERBERT’S REPORT HERE
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Kai Havertz scored twice as Germany thrashed debutants Curacao 7-1 in Houston
TEAM OF THE DAY
PICTURES OF THE DAY
Fans of Japan and the Netherlands put on a show ahead of their group stage match in Dallas.
Japan’s fans have become famous in recent years for cleaning up rubbish after matches in a bid to leave the stands spotless, much to the delight of the host nation.
Supporters of the Samurai Blue were seen in raising blue plastic bags in the air en masse at the Dallas Stadium pre-match, showing they already prepared for the clean-up operation.
As for the Dutch, their distinctive orange shirts swarmed over Dallas in the build-up to the match.
Thousands of fans joined an organised ‘Orange Walk’, featuring songs and chants as the atmosphere built further. The event also included a double decker bus – orange of course – which had been shipped to Texas in preparation for the World Cup.
Japan’s fans came prepared with blue bags to collect rubbish after their match with the Netherlands
Dallas became a sea of orange as Dutch fans made their way to the stadium
VIRAL MOMENT OF THE DAY
While Germany were catching the eye with their attacking play in their comfortable victory over Curacao, their coach Julian Nagelsmann was doing so as well on the touchline.
Eagle-eyed viewers noted that the Germany head coach had an outfit change at half-time at the Houston Stadium.
The 38-year-old had sported a striped shirt during the first half, but dispensed with it for the second in favour of a short black t-shirt.
One wonders if Nagelsmann will be doing this for every match Germany play at the World Cup or whether this was just a one-off.
On the opposition bench, there was also the sight of an emotional Dick Advocaat ahead of kick-off.
Germany Julian Nagelsmann swapped shirts at half-time of their match against Curacao
The 78-year-old, who became the oldest manager in World Cup history, had returned to take charge of Curacao just weeks ago.
Advocaat had initially stepped down after their qualification to take care of his daughter, who has been receiving treatment for cancer. Her improving condition led to Advocaat agreeing to return as manager.
The Dutchman was seen shedding a tear after Curacao scored their first World Cup goal.
In a more curious moment, Japan’s coaching staff took an innovative approach to letting their players know how much added time was left of their match.
Staff were seen holding up whiteboards with the number of minutes remaining as the clock ticked down.
CELEBRITY WATCH
Legendary American rapper Jay-Z was in attendance as the Ivory Coast faced Ecuador in Philadelphia.
Jay-Z was presented with a shirt by Ivorian Football Federation President Yacine Idriss Diallo pre-match.
He was also seen greeting Ivory Coast’s rising star Yan Diomande, with the RB Leipzig winger subject of transfer interest this summer from the likes of Liverpool.
Their warm greeting should not be a surprise with Diomande having signed to Jay-Z’s agency Roc Nation Sports.
Diomande signed for the agency in February, but his previous representatives Maxidel Management have taken legal action by claiming he is still contracted to them.
Jay-Z was in attendance as the Ivory Coast faced Ecuador in Group E in Philadelphia
Jay-Z greeted Ivory Coast star Yan Diomande, who signed with his agency Roc Nation in February
STAT OF THE DAY
Germany have become the all time top scorers at the FIFA World Cup following their 7-1 victory over Curacao.
The four-time winners have scored 239 goals at the World Cup, one more than five-time champions Brazil.
THREE THINGS TO LOOK OUT FOR TODAY
1. Iran set for first match after extraordinary build-up
Iran’s participation at the World Cup has been in doubt for months due to the backdrop of the conflict with the United States, which initially started in February with US-Israeli airstrikes.
Despite threats not to participate in the tournament, Iran will take to the field amid the extraordinary build-up. Iran changed their training base to Mexico last month and are due to fly in the day before matches in the United States, before leaving immediately after their games.
The Iranian team touched down in Los Angeles last night ahead of their opening match against New Zealand in Los Angeles. Several staff are absent, however, due to being denied visas.
The reception received by the Iranian team will be fascinating, with their participation the most politically charged of any competing nation.
And of course, on the eve of the match Donald Trump announced a peace deal with Iran is now ‘complete’.
Iran will face New Zealand in their opening match after flying into Los Angeles on Sunday
2. Can birthday boy Salah help Egypt earn a first World Cup win?
Mohamed Salah will mark his 34th birthday by leading Egypt out into their fourth appearance at the World Cup. How he would love to help his nation claim a first victory at the tournament in their eighth match.
Egypt were deeply underwhelming on their previous appearance back in 2018, as they finished bottom of their group after losing to hosts Russia, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia.
Salah missed their opening match against Uruguay as he continued to recover from the shoulder injury he suffered in the Champions League final against Real Madrid.
The Egyptian talisman did play and score in their subsequent two matches, but both ultimately ended in disappointment.
Salah, whose Liverpool career has come to an emotional and somewhat controversial end given his public fall-out with Arne Slot, could well be appearing at his final World Cup.
Can Salah inspire Egypt to a historic first win and perhaps progression to the knock-out stages? Their campaign starts against Belgium.
European champions Spain will look to put down a marker in their opening match
3. The European champions enter the fray
Spain have disappointed at the past three World Cups since lifting the trophy for first time back in 2010.
A shock group stage elimination in 2014 has been followed by last-16 exits in 2018 and 2022.
One wonders though whether European Championship success in 2024 will be the springboard to World Cup glory, as it in 2010 after claiming the continental crown two years earlier.
The spotlight will undoubtedly fall on Lamine Yamal with the Barcelona teenager hoping to make his mark in his first World Cup. Yamal is not expected to start their opening match against Cape Verde as he works his way back from injury.
Luis de la Fuente can call upon a star studded squad that will be looking to put down an early marker.
TODAY’S GAMES
Spain vs Cape Verde (5pm, Atlanta, ITV)
Spain will begin as the overwhelming favourites against Cape Verde, the second of the four debutants at this summer’s World Cup.
The island nation of Cape Verde surprisingly qualified ahead of World Cup regulars Cameroon.
It would be an even greater shock if they were to deny Spain victory here.
Daily Mail Sport prediction: Spain win
Belgium vs Egypt (8pm, Seattle, BBC)
It is the last chance saloon for several aging stars here with Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Mo Salah all set to take to the field.
Belgium will be keen to put their dismal performance at the Qatar 2022 World Cup behind them, where several players opted to fly home separately to their team-mates after crashing out in the group stages.
Egypt will simply want to secure any victory on the World Cup stage.
Daily Mail Sport prediction: Belgium win
Mohamed Salah will be looking to fire Egypt to a first ever victory at the World Cup
Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay (11pm, Miami, ITV)
Uruguay were stuck in Mexico for several hours on the eve of the match over paperwork problems, which their national federation have blamed on FIFA.
It is not the first time this has happened to Uruguay, with a similar incident impacting them before their opening match in the 2010 World Cup. Uruguay ultimately went on to make the semi-finals…
Not many are expecting Marcelo Bielsa’s side to reach the last four this time around, but the South Americans will expect to begin their campaign by beating Saudi Arabia.
Although, Argentina thought that four years ago before being stunned by the Saudis.
Daily Mail Sport prediction: Uruguay win
Iran vs New Zealand (2am, Inglewood, BBC)
How will Iran’s build-up to the tournament impact their performances on the pitch?
That is the big question heading into this one.
Iran will surely start as the favourites against New Zealand, who are back at the World Cup for the first time since 2010.
The All Whites famously were the only unbeaten team at that World Cup, drawing all three group matches as they failed to qualify for the knock-out stage.
Daily Mail Sport prediction: Iran win
Which England star has 7 GCSEs? Who has lost half of his finger? Test your knowledge of Thomas Tuchel’s squad with our exclusive quiz HERE
