The clash between Germany and Ivory Coast at BMO Field (Toronto, Canada) on the morning of June 21st is considered the highlight match of Group E. Both teams won their opening matches and are directly competing for the top spot in the group and an early qualification to the next round.
Superior strength
Despite unexpectedly conceding a 1-1 equalizer in the first half, Julian Nagelsmann's side still showed their superior strength with goals from Kai Havertz, Jamal Musiala, Nico Schlotterbeck, Nathaniel Brown, and Deniz Undav in the second half. That victory extended "Die Mannschaft's" winning streak to 10 matches across all competitions since September 2025.
Germany's attack is in excellent form, scoring at least two goals in nine of their last ten wins. However, the defense remains a concern for Nagelsmann, as his team has conceded in four of their last five matches.

Germany will once again deliver a goalfest in Toronto. (Photo: FIFA)
On the other side of the pitch, Ivory Coast also entered the match with great confidence after defeating Ecuador 1-0 with a 90th-minute goal from Amad Diallo. This was the "Elephants'" fourth consecutive victory in all competitions, and it also opened up the opportunity for the African representative to advance beyond the World Cup group stage for the first time.
Fast-paced counter-attacking style of play
Coach Emerse Fae has a team with great speed and physical fitness, featuring notable names like Franck Kessie, Seko Fofana, Amad Diallo, and the young talent Yan Diomande. Diomande was a pleasant surprise in the first match, constantly disrupting the Ecuadorian defense with his impressive dribbling and tackling abilities.
Nevertheless, in terms of squad depth and star quality, Germany is still considered superior. The quartet of Leroy Sane, Florian Wirtz, Jamal Musiala, and Kai Havertz are forming one of the most exciting attacking lines at the 2026 World Cup. Meanwhile, striker Deniz Undav is also ready to make a difference after scoring and providing two assists after coming on as a substitute against Curaçao.
Ivory Coast is likely to pose considerable difficulties for the European representatives with their fast-paced counter-attacking style, especially given that the German defense is not yet truly solid.
However, with their superior control of the game and creativity in attack, the four-time world champions are predicted to dominate in a high-scoring match.
The opportunity for the "Blue Samurai"
At 11:00 AM on June 21st, Japan will face Tunisia, a team that suffered a heavy defeat in their opening match and is currently at the bottom of Group F. In their first match, the performance of coach Hajime Moriyasu's team against the Netherlands was highly praised. They were trailing twice but still played evenly and managed to equalize thanks to continuous pressure.

Japan needs a win to gain an advantage before the final match against Sweden (Photo: FIFA)
Meanwhile, Tunisia's clean sheet in the qualifiers exposed many weaknesses in their defense. Facing Sweden, a team known for its fast-paced attack, the "Carthage Eagles" struggled to cover effectively and left many gaps. This will be a weakness that Japan will focus on exploiting in the upcoming match.
At 7 AM on the same day, Ecuador and Curacao will compete for their first points at the 2026 World Cup. In their opening match, Ecuador performed quite well, only losing to Ivory Coast due to a moment of brilliance from Amad Diallo. Curacao, on the other hand, has conceded a total of 18 goals in their last five matches. Their somewhat weak defense will face significant difficulties against Ecuador's physically demanding and fast-paced style of play. H. Hiep
Sweden places high hopes on its Premier League stars.
Sweden's resounding 5-1 victory over Tunisia in their opening match of Group F at the FIFA World Cup 2026 not only secured three points but also sent a strong message to their rivals for a place in the knockout round. After many years of absence, Sweden is showing a promising comeback with a new generation of talent.

Will Alexander Isak (right) continue his scoring spree in Sweden's second group stage match? (Photo: AP)
In an impressive performance in Monterrey (Mexico), striker Alexander Isak proved his status as Sweden's current number one star. Despite scoring only one goal, the 26-year-old Liverpool striker in the English Premier League became the center of attention thanks to his intelligent movement, link-up play, and ability to create space for his teammates. Alongside Isak, Yasin Ayari also had a memorable World Cup 2026 debut, scoring a brace. The 22-year-old, who plays for Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League, played a major role in helping Sweden control the midfield and create attacking opportunities.
Under the guidance of coach Graham Potter, the Nordic team possesses a balanced style of play between attack and defense. After a difficult qualifying campaign, the English manager has built an energetic team that makes the most of the speed and transitional abilities of its young players.
The victory against Tunisia gives Sweden a temporary advantage in Group F and creates a favorable psychological momentum ahead of their crucial clash with the Netherlands. If they continue to maintain their current form, Potter's team could well become the first team in Group F to qualify for the Round of 16, becoming a formidable "dark horse" at the 2026 World Cup.
Tuong Phuoc

Source: https://nld.com.vn/duc-bo-bien-nga-thuoc-thu-lieu-cao-196260619183649517.htm










