Sweden vs. Tunisia Live World Cup 2026 Updates, Scores and Highlights

In many ways, the story of this game was Tunisia's error-filled performance.

Between goalkeeper Abdelmouhib Chamakh's issues on Sweden's two goals in the first half and captain Ellyes Skhiri turning the ball over and gifting Sweden a third goal in the second half, Tunisia simply couldn't seem to get out of their own way. 

There were bright spots: Hannibal Mejbri looked effective as the team's primary playmaker, dropping deep to dictate play and picking up the assist on Tunisia's lone goal. Plus, the fact that Tunisia controlled long spells of play in the second half was a positive. But Sweden, with a ruthlessly efficient attacking duo of Viktor Gyokeres and Alexander Isak playing atop Graham Potter's 3-5-2 setup, proved to be too much to handle.

With limited reps shared by the Arsenal and Liverpool strikers at international level under Potter, Sunday's showing quieted some of the questions about their chemistry that swirled coming into the tournament. Those two stars, supported by a strong spine, proved effective on the day.

The victory was a crucial one for Sweden, who now sit atop what figures to be an extremely competitive Group F. With three points, they find themselves in first, ahead of Japan and the Netherlands, who each have one point, and Tunisia, with zero points. It seems the Swedes are destined for the knockouts.

It's another banger from Yasin Ayari to make it 6-1 in favor of Sweden!

Just after entering the fray, Mattias Svanberg grabs a goal to make it 4-1 in favor of Sweden! Initially ruled offside, VAR intervened to award the strike.

Sweden's frontline has been hot tonight.

A huge mistake from Tunisia turns into a goal for Arsenal's Viktor Gyokeres! It's 3-1, Sweden.

Can Tunisia spark a comeback in this period?!

With the top spot in Group F awaiting the winner of this game after the Netherlands and Japan played to a 2-2 draw earlier today, Sweden staked their claim quickly in the first half against Tunisia.

After a clever ball over the top from Victor Lindelof found Alexander Isak and forced a moment of chaos from opposing goalkeeper Abdelmouhib Chamakh, Yasin Ayari opened the scoring for Graham Potter's outfit. Sweden didn't stop there, though, with Viktor Gyokeres feeding Isak for the team's second goal at the half hour mark.

Whether in possession, where they calmly played through Tunisia's 5-3-2 setup, or in transition, Sweden have looked superior thus far at the Estadio BBVA in Mexico. It's been no help to Tunisia that Chamakh, an inexperienced goalkeeper trusted by manager Sabri Lamouchi to get the start, contributed to Sweden's first goal and had a genuine chance to make the save for the second.

Still, Tunisia aren't done yet. Thanks to a goal just before halftime from defender Omar Rekik off of a long throw sequence, there's a path back into this game for Tunisia.

Will they make a big push in this second half? We'll find out shortly.

Defender Omar Rekik comes up big to cut the deficit in half for Tunisia. Now it's 2-1!

Those two superstar strikers have made their mark in this first half.

Fed by Viktor Gyokeres, Alexander Isak makes no mistake. It's 2-0, Sweden.

Yasin Ayari didn't waste much time, and Sweden find themselves up 1-0 over Tunisia!

Let's get this party started!

Zlatan on the mic, Sweden about to be on the pitch.

There's some firepower in Sweden's attack, isn't there?

How's that for drama? 

After a back and forth first half that seemed destined to produce goals, there was doubt about whether we'd get one during a largely stodgy second 45 minutes in Philadelphia. 

That is, until Manchester United's Amad Diallo bagged the heroic game-winner in the 90th minute.

During the second period, the Ivory Coast took more control of the game. Emerse Fae's team flipped the possession tables on Ecuador and spent some real time high up the field in the opposing end. Diallo, who joined the fold off the bench during the second half, proved to be the decisive player. Still, it was Yan Diomande who impressed most of all.

Diomande was the best player on the field, starting on the right wing before shifting over to the left side partway through the second half. The 19-year-old's one-v-one dribbling ability was the standout skill from the entire match, even troubling Piero Hincapié. With his astonishing dynamism, take-on ability, and vision, it's easy to see why clubs are interested in spending huge money to pry him away from RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga. Diomande's performance on Sunday was the best of any individual at the World Cup to this point.

That the Ivory Coast have options like Hoffenheim's Bazoumana Touré and Amad who can play opposite Diomande points to their impressive attacking depth that should bear fruit later in the tournament.

For Ecuador, the second half was far quieter than the first. They managed just three shots in that period, with two of them coming from outside the box. Ecuador, who didn't exactly light up the scoresheet in World Cup qualifying, are here because of their bend-but-don't-break defensive approach. They nearly pulled it off against the Ivory Coast, but came up just short.

For now, Ivory Coast join Germany on three points atop Group E, while Ecuador join Curacao on zero.

WHAT A MOMENT FOR THE IVORY COAST! It's 1-0 after Diallo's goal!

How's this for a party?

What. A. Crowd. Philadelphia is yellow!

Let's find out what's in store for this second half, shall we?

It's been an even game in Philadelphia between the Ivory Coast and Ecuador — but that's not to say it's been a toothless affair. Both teams have exchanged blows, coming up with dangerous chances inside the box.

For Ecuador, the midfield pairing of Moises Caicedo and Pedro Vite has truly stood out. Caicedo, the Chelsea man, has been a box-to-box presence for Sebastian Beccacece's outfit. He's popped up both in the final third and at the base of midfield to orchestrate play for the CONMEBOL side. Vite, for his part, has typically been the deeper of the two midfielders. He's shown plenty on both sides of the ball, playing a delightful through ball for a key pass in the 30th minute and impressing in the tackle.

For the Ivory Coast, things have rightfully flowed through Yan Diomande. The RB Leipzig winger was one of the breakout stars of the most recent European campaign and looks primed to earn a similar title at the World Cup. In a battle with Ecuador's Piero Hincapie, who started the Champions League final for Arsenal, it's been Diomande who's come out resoundingly ahead.

While we're still locked at 0-0, it certainly feels as if there's a goal (or more than one) coming in this game.

Ecuador have been knocking here!

It's still early days, but Yan Diomande has been a problem for Ecuador in this first half. We're still scoreless, but goals are brewing in this one.

It's go time between two of the hipster's picks to make a bit of a run this summer!

Rap legend taking in Côte d'Ivoire-Ecuador 📸

We've got some star power on display in this one, folks!

In a lively Group F opener in Arlington, Texas, the Netherlands and Japan played out a hugely entertaining 2-2 draw. 

After a first half that was heavy on industry but light on end product, things finally came together early in the second period. 

A trio of Liverpool players were heavily involved in the Netherlands' 51st-minute opener. Reds winger Cody Gakpo was wiped out by Ritsu Doan on the left-hand side, and the resulting free-kick from Manchester City's Tijjani Reijnders was only half cleared. 

The ball eventually reached Ryan Gravenberch on the right, who sent a stunning arched cross into the box that found his Liverpool teammate Virgil van Dijk. The captain patiently waited for the ball to arrive before planting his header past the outstretched Zion Suzuki. 

However, the lead didn't last for long. From out of nowhere, Keito Nakamura—the liveliest of Japan's attackers in the first half, who had a few speculative efforts—finally found his range and guided his right-foot shot from outside of the box past the sprawling Bart Verbruggen.

But the Dutch were quick to get back in front. Just seven minutes after the equalizer, Crysencio Summerville, a notable threat in the first half, cut inside onto his left foot and curled a precise effort past a helpless Suzuki and in off the post. 

The Samurai Blue kept pressing and probing, though, and they were rewarded with 88 minutes on the clock. Daichi Kamada was the lucky beneficiary, knowing very little when Koki Ogawa's header rebounded off his skull. Verbruggen tried his best to keep it out, but all he could do was palm the ball into the roof of the net. 

Both sides will accept a point apiece, with this the toughest game of the group for each. For the neutral, though, it was perhaps the best game of the tournament so far.

Unreal scenes as Netherlands gives up goal from corner for 2-2 🎥

This game is now on one. Excellent finish from top of the box to retake lead.

Defected shot nestles into near corner for 1-1 in Dallas.

Liverpool captain with the big header to give Netherlands 1-0 advantage

The Netherlands and Japan played out an open first half in Arlington that was unfortunately absent of goals. 

The best of the chances fell to the Oranje and Donyell Malen. He stung Zion Suzuki's palms in the opening minutes and saw a header blocked by the Japan No. 1 just after the half-hour mark. 

Japan suddenly came alive with five minutes left until the break, with Keito Nakamura getting two chances in quick succession, with both sailing wide of the mark. 

Goals should be forthcoming in the second period if the pattern of play continues—with a little more of a clinical edge, of course. The center of the park is largely being bypassed in favor of wing play, and Crysencio Summerville looks like a dangerous threat on the right for the Netherlands who could help open the floodgates. 

Great touch and control and pulls the shot JUST wide of the near post.

Suzuki stops Dutch forward again, this time in close.

Now this is impressive center forward play...but a great save!

Japan coach with the emotions during the anthems. Game on.

They aren't wrong about Texas...

20 minutes until kickoff

Seven goals from the Germans at the World Cup. Where have we heard that before...

Ultimately, Germany couldn't be denied in their World Cup opener.

Taking the big stage against Curacao on Sunday, Julian Nagelsmann's team triumphed to the tune of a 7-1 win over the CONCACAF first-timers. While Germany had to endure the temporary embarrassment of being level with Curacao at a 1-1 scoreline for a moment in the first half, it didn't take long for the Germans to climb back into the lead before the first half finished — nor did it take them long to extend the lead in the second half.

Bayern Munich superstar Jamal Musiala, who suffered a long-term injury during his last competitive game in the United States during last summer's Club World Cup, enjoyed his return to the states. The No. 10 scored Germany's fourth goal just over 60 seconds into the second half. From their, Germany never looked back.

For Curacao, while the final scoreline got out of hand, Livano Comenencia's goal will live on forever in the country's soccer history. Attending the World Cup for the first time and notching a first-ever goal at the World Cup against a nation that's won it four times? That's the stuff dreams are made of. 

It will be tough sledding for Dick Advocaat's outfit in the rest of their Group E schedule with Ecuador and the Ivory Coast awaiting them. For Germany, three points earned almost guarantees them a spot in the Round of 32.

That's 7-1 in favor of the Germans. It's been a long second half for Curacao…

It's a half dozen for the Germans!

Brown, who was eligible for the U.S. men's national team, gives Germany a 5-1 advantage.

How is this a real stat?1

Jamal Musiala makes it 4-1 in favor of the Germans!

Will Germany and Nico Schlotterbeck run away with this one? Or can Curacao stage an all-time great comeback?

Curacao made history by becoming the smallest nation to ever quality for the World Cup. In the first half against Germany, they made even more history, this time by scoring their first goal at a World Cup. Livano Comenencia's strike will go down as one of the great tournament moments, from this summer and from tournaments past.

Germany, for their part, don't seem to have gotten out of second gear so far in this one. Between an opening goal from Dortmund's Felix Nmecha, a set piece strike from his club teammate Nico Schlotterbeck, and a penalty conversion from Kai Havertz just before the half, Julian Nagelsmann's team has a 3-1 lead at the break. It's been messy at times from the Germans. But with their talent advantage that sluggishness won't come back to bite them.

For a moment, it looked as if Curacao could stage a magical comeback in the second half. Now, though this might be out of reach.

Thanks to a penalty conversion from Kai Havertz, Germany are up 3-1 heading into the break.

That's more like it from Germany and Nico Schlotterbeck, who now find themselves up 2-1.

CURACAO ARE HERE! THEY'RE REALLY HERE! Livano Comenencia, a name etched in history.

Quite the reaction to his team scoring against the World Cup debutants.

Well, that didn't take long for the Germans!

It's time for our first glimpse at Group E! And a historic one at that!

It's unreal that they're here!

Another World Cup, more Neuer

Legend back in goal for German's opening game.

Get yourself set for Germany-Curaçao as the heavyweight European nation looks to avoid disappointment at a third-straight World Cup.