From around the league
Monday, 15 June 2026
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![Kai Havertz gives Germany an early answer at No 9]()
Kai Havertz gives Germany an early answer at No 9
Kai Havertz scored twice in Germany’s opening World Cup win over Curaçao, and Thomas Müller wants him on the pitch every minute.
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![France vs Senegal preview: Mbappe, Saliba and the 2002 shadow]()
France vs Senegal preview: Mbappe, Saliba and the 2002 shadow
France face Senegal in a World Cup opener shaped by Saliba's back issue, Mbappe's milestones and the 2002 shadow.
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![Sweden's front line tears Tunisia apart in emphatic 5-1 opener]()
Sweden's front line tears Tunisia apart in emphatic 5-1 opener
Sweden vs Tunisia finished 5-1 as Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyökeres drove the opener, with Yasin Ayari scoring in the 7th and 90+6th.
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![Netherlands vs Japan: Van Dijk defends the game plan after late equaliser]()
Netherlands vs Japan: Van Dijk defends the game plan after late equaliser
Virgil van Dijk and Ronald Koeman defended the Netherlands’ approach after Dutch pundits accused them of going too defensive in a 2-2 draw with Japan.
Sunday, 14 June 2026
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![Netherlands let Japan back in as Ogawa seals 2-2 draw in Group F]()
Netherlands let Japan back in as Ogawa seals 2-2 draw in Group F
Netherlands vs Japan ended 2-2 after Japan came from behind twice, with Koki Ogawa's late equaliser denying the Dutch in Group F.
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![Spain vs Cape Verde Islands preview: Oyarzabal, Olmo and the line-up calls]()
Spain vs Cape Verde Islands preview: Oyarzabal, Olmo and the line-up calls
Spain’s opener against Cape Verde Islands is a selection call, with Oyarzabal in form, Olmo chasing a record and Yamal and Williams unlikely to start.
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![Germany player ratings vs Curaçao: Nmecha, Brown and Undav lead the way]()
Germany player ratings vs Curaçao: Nmecha, Brown and Undav lead the way
Germany’s 7-1 World Cup opener was a ratings showcase for Felix Nmecha, Nathaniel Brown and Deniz Undav, with Havertz, Musiala and Kimmich also standing out.
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![Belgium vs Egypt in Seattle puts De Bruyne and Salah back in the same game]()
Belgium vs Egypt in Seattle puts De Bruyne and Salah back in the same game
Kevin De Bruyne and Mohamed Salah headline Belgium vs Egypt in Seattle, where the Group G opener brings reunion, fitness questions and a strong Egypt
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![Germany World Cup opener centres on Neuer's return]()
Germany World Cup opener centres on Neuer's return
Julian Nagelsmann has confirmed Manuel Neuer will start Germany's World Cup opener. The 40-year-old returns after 710 days away.
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![Curacao's World Cup debut is a diaspora-built milestone]()
Curacao's World Cup debut is a diaspora-built milestone
Curacao's World Cup debut is historic: the smallest nation ever at the tournament, with 25 of 26 players born in the Netherlands and Advocaat 78.
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![Scotland’s 1-0-2 gamble pays off in opening World Cup win]()
Scotland’s 1-0-2 gamble pays off in opening World Cup win
Scotland beat Haiti 1-0 in Boston, with John McGinn scoring in the 28th minute and Steve Clarke’s 4-4-2 helping the Scots hold on.
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![Liverpool transfer news: Gordon, Gakpo and Salah are all in the same market chain]()
Liverpool transfer news: Gordon, Gakpo and Salah are all in the same market chain
Anthony Gordon’s Barcelona move is feeding a wider winger carousel, with Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo situation and Mohamed Salah’s exit talk linked.
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![John McGinn beaming after Scotland's World Cup opener win]()
John McGinn beaming after Scotland's World Cup opener win
John McGinn said he was beaming with pride after his scuffed winner gave Scotland a 1-0 World Cup opening victory over Haiti.
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![Australia vs Türkiye preview: World Cup opener hoodoo meets a form side]()
Australia vs Türkiye preview: World Cup opener hoodoo meets a form side
Australia face Türkiye in Vancouver as they try to end a four-match World Cup opener losing streak against an unbeaten side.
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![Sweden vs Tunisia preview: Gudmundsson illness and front-two gamble shape opener]()
Sweden vs Tunisia preview: Gudmundsson illness and front-two gamble shape opener
Sweden's World Cup opener against Tunisia is defined by Gabriel Gudmundsson's illness concern, Potter's selection choices and a Gyökeres-Isak gamble.
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![Brazil vs Morocco ratings: Vinícius Júnior tops a flawed draw]()
Brazil vs Morocco ratings: Vinícius Júnior tops a flawed draw
Vinícius Júnior topped Brazil's ratings in a 1-1 draw with Morocco, but the numbers point to a shaky opener and several concerns for Brazil.
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![Côte d'Ivoire vs Ecuador looks built for a low-scoring opener]()
Côte d'Ivoire vs Ecuador looks built for a low-scoring opener
Côte d'Ivoire vs Ecuador opens at Lincoln Financial Field with clean sheets and a 19-match unbeaten run pointing to a tight contest.
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![Vinicius Junior levels for Brazil but Morocco were better value in opener]()
Vinicius Junior levels for Brazil but Morocco were better value in opener
Brazil vs Morocco ended 1-1 as Vinicius Junior's 32nd-minute equaliser cancelled out Ismael Saibari's opener at MetLife Stadium.
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![Neymar ruled out of Brazil's World Cup opener against Morocco]()
Neymar ruled out of Brazil's World Cup opener against Morocco
Neymar will miss Brazil's World Cup opener against Morocco because of a calf injury, but Carlo Ancelotti says he could return to training next week.
