United News of Bangladesh

Yasin Ayari scored twice and Sweden showed it belonged at the 2026 World Cup, pounding Tunisia 5-1 on Sunday night to move atop Group F. Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyökeres each had a goal and an assist, and Mattias Svanberg also scored for Sweden, which entered ranked 39th in the world and missed the 2022 World Cup after reaching the quarterfinals eight years ago in Russia. Omar Rekik scored for 45th-ranked Tunisia, which is playing in its seventh World Cup but has never advanced beyond the group stage.

Ivory Coast did not make the knockout round in three previous World Cups. Les Éléphant came to the United States set on changing that — and they are off to a great start. Amad Diallo scored in the 90th minute to lift Ivory Coast to a 1-0 victory over Ecuador in its first World Cup appearance in a dozen years. “We came here with ambitions and high hopes,” coach Emerse Faé said through an interpreter. “Everything is going well.” The teams combined to hit the crossbar three times before Diallo — the Manchester United winger who entered as a substitute in the 56th minute — broke through with a left-footed shot from just inside the penalty area that beat diving goalkeeper Hernán Galíndez. Wilfried Singo set up the goal with a strong run down the right side. “This was a fantastic goal,” Faé said. “(Singo) delivered a wonderful assist to Diallo, and he finished well. Very happy to see just what we worked on.” Ecuador saw its 19-game unbeaten streak end with its first loss since a 1-0 decision against Brazil on Sept. 6, 2024. “It hurts,” Ecuador coach Sebastián Beccacece said through an interpreter. “This is a very painful situation. It needs to make you stronger for the future.” Elye Wahi hit the crossbar in the 52nd minute for Ivory Coast after Ecuador’s John Yeboah and Nilson Angulo did the same in the opening half. Ecuador, making its fifth World Cup appearance and looking to reach the knockout round for the second time, was playing a virtual home game at Lincoln Financial Field, with most of the capacity crowd of 68,274 wearing the yellow jerseys of La Tri. “I am very sorry we did not give our fans the joy they came to seek,” Beccacece said. Ecuador looked strong before Diallo’s goal. Its best chance after halftime came in the 68th minute on Gonzalo Plata’s hard shot from about 25 yards out that was parried away by goalkeeper Yahia Fofana. “We’re leaving with a loss, but we’re keeping our heads held high knowing that this is just the beginning and there’s still a tournament ahead of us,” Ecuador captain Enner Valencia said. Ivory Coast was bolstered by the forward play of Yan Diomande. The Leipzig attacker created several scoring chances, particularly down the right side. That included Wahi’s near goal on a flick following Diomande’s hard cross. “He is very talented,” Faé said. “Incredible player.” Ivory Coast, which did not concede a goal while going 8-0-2 in 10 qualifying matches, will next face four-time World Cup champion Germany, which defeated Curacao 7-1 earlier Sunday in Group E. Ecuador will meet Curacao. Both matches will be played June 20. Ivory Coast captain Franck Kessié set the tone for the physical play of Les Éléphant with a hard foul in the fourth minute. Kessié went on to pick up one of three yellow cards for his side, all for reckless challenges, in the opening 45 minutes. Jackson Porozo of Ecuador was cautioned in the 73rd minute. “We know that high-level football requires much intensity,” Faé said.

Against one of the tournament’s most formidable sides, Japan arrived with a clear game plan: stay disciplined, remain patient and strike when the opportunity arises. Over 90 minutes, the Samurai Blue executed that strategy to near perfection, twice coming from behind to secure a dramatic 2-2 draw against the Netherlands and begin their World Cup campaign on a positive note. The Group F encounter at AT&T Stadium in Texas on Sunday night was a fascinating contest between Dutch attacking dominance and Japanese resilience. While the Netherlands controlled possession for long stretches and launched wave after wave of attacks, Japan absorbed the pressure with composure before delivering timely counterpunches. From the opening whistle, the Dutch asserted their authority, pinning Japan back with fluid possession. They nearly found an early breakthrough as early as the third minute when Donyell Malen tested Zion Suzuki, but the Japanese goalkeeper produced a crucial save to keep his side level. Japan, however, refused to panic, building a low block with icy composure, and after absorbing heavy pressure for the first quarter of an hour, Japan gradually began to venture out of their shell. In the 15th minute, Daizen Maeda created danger with a low cross into the box, but the Dutch defence reacted quickly to snuff out the threat. Five minutes later, the Oranje intensified their pressure, only to see Malen and Cody Gakpo denied in quick succession by Japan’s organised backline.