2026 World Cup, Days 10 and 11: Netherlands, Japan, and Spain thrash in J2
Netherlands thrashed Sweden 5-1, Japan defeated Tunisia 4-0, and Spain won 4-0 against Saudi Arabia; Mohamed Salah led Egypt, and Cape Verde surprised Uruguay with a 2-2 draw in the second group stage.
Estadio Azteca, one of the venues for the 2026 World Cup. Photo: ProtoplasmaKid / Wikimedia Commons (CC).
The second matchday of the group stage of the 2026 World Cup saw candidate teams deliver thrashings and some surprises: Netherlands, Japan, and Spain posted convincing results, while Cape Verde managed a draw against Uruguay and Egypt secured a win with Mohamed Salah's help.
Here’s a recap of the eight matches from days 10 and 11, including goal scorers and the standings in groups E, F, G, and H.
1f3 1f1 Group F — Netherlands and Japan lead
Netherlands 5-1 Sweden 1f3 1f1 1f8 1ee: the Oranje was a steamroller. Brian Brobbey (5', 17') struck early, Cody Gakpo (47', 54') added to the tally in the second half, and Crysencio Summerville (89') capped it off. Anthony Elanga (59') scored a consolation for Sweden.
Tunisia 0-4 Japan 1f9 1f3 1ef 1f5: a Japanese rout with a brace from Ayase Ueda (31', 83'), plus goals from Daichi Kamada (4') and Junya Ito (69'). Netherlands and Japan share the top spot with 4 points.
Standings — Group F
# | Team | Played | Goal Difference | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Netherlands | 2 | +4 | 4 |
2 | Japan | 2 | +4 | 4 |
3 | Sweden | 2 | 0 | 3 |
4 | Tunisia | 2 | -8 | 0 |
1e9 1ea Group E — Germany comes back late
Germany 2-1 Ivory Coast 1e9 1ea 1f8 1ee 1f3: the Ivorians struck first with Franck Kessi (30'), but Deniz Undav (68', 90') turned the match around for the Mannschaft with a decisive brace.
Ecuador 0-0 Curacao 1ea 1f8 1e8 1fc: a goalless draw. Germany leads with a perfect record.
Standings — Group E
# | Team | Played | Goal Difference | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Germany | 2 | +7 | 6 |
2 | Ivory Coast | 2 | 0 | 3 |
3 | Ecuador | 2 | -1 | 1 |
4 | Curacao | 2 | -6 | 1 |
1ea 1f8 Group H — Spain's recital; Cape Verde strikes
Spain 4-0 Saudi Arabia 1ea 1f8 1f8 1ee: Lamine Yamal (10') opened the scoring, Mikel Oyarzabal (21', 24') scored a quick brace, and an own goal by Hassan Tambakti (49') sealed the deal.
Uruguay 2-2 Cape Verde 1fa 1fe 1f8 1fb: a thrilling match. Kevin Lenini (21') put Cape Verde ahead; La Celeste turned it around with Maximiliano Ara (44') and Agustn Canobbio (45'+6), but Hlio Varela (61') rescued a historic point for the Cape Verdeans. Spain leads the group.
Standings — Group H
# | Team | Played | Goal Difference | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Spain | 2 | +4 | 4 |
2 | Uruguay | 2 | 0 | 2 |
3 | Cape Verde | 2 | 0 | 2 |
4 | Saudi Arabia | 2 | -4 | 1 |
1ea 1f3 Group G — Salah ignites Egypt
New Zealand 1-3 Egypt 1f3 1ff 1ea 1ec: Francis Surman (15') surprised, but Egypt responded with Ziko (58'), Mohamed Salah (67'), and Trezeguet (82').
Belgium 0-0 Iran 1e7 1ea 1ee 1f7: the Red Devils could not get past a draw, leaving Egypt alone at the top.
Standings — Group G
# | Team | Played | Goal Difference | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Egypt | 2 | +2 | 4 |
2 | Iran | 2 | 0 | 2 |
3 | Belgium | 2 | 0 | 2 |
4 | New Zealand | 2 | -2 | 1 |
What’s next
With the third matchday around the corner, groups E, F, G, and H are heating up: there are leaders with a perfect record (Germany, Spain, Egypt) and open battles for the second spot. The 2026 World Cup is already underway: join a pool at EasyFal and compete with your friends week by week until the grand final. You still have time!