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World Cup 2026: Curaçao claim historic point; Iran unhappy at lack of support from teams – live | World Cup 2026
Key events
Elsewhere in Group E Germany sealed progression from a World Cup group stage for the first time since they won the damn thing in 2014, coming from behind after Côte d’Ivoire had a half-time lead.
“We showed great character today,” said Deniz Undav, channelling his inner Brendan Rodgers. The Stuttgart striker came off the bench to score twice and netted a late winner, making it nine goals in 11 international caps.
Undav’s role is a curious one under Julian Nagelsmann. The coach has previously criticised the striker for his performances in a Germany shirt, even if he scored goals. Undav has also not been particularly happy to just be an impact sub.
“I could have him in the starting lineup,” Nagelsmann said yesterday. “I think that every player would love to be in the starting lineup, but I think he’s very happy as it is right now.”
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“I think I need a statue in Curaçao now,” said Eloy Room after keeping Ecuador at bay and earning his country’s first World Cup point – his clean sheet particularly significant after that 7-1 hammering by Germany in the first game. The Miami FC goalkeeper was just one off Tim Howard’s record of 16 saves (for USA v Belgium in 2014) in a World Cup match.
“A little bit annoyed that I don’t have the record from Tim Howard, but I think he was sweating in front of the TV because I was close,” Room said.
It’s going to be an insane memory. You don’t think about it when you do it but of course it’s going to be something you look back to. For me as a goalkeeper, this is almost a perfect game. It’s unbelievable. And I cannot do it alone. I did it with the team and my defenders and the midfielders, strikers. We did it as a team.
The draw means Curaçao can still (and probably will) progress from Group E if they beat Côte d’Ivoire in their final fixture.
Results and reports: Here’s what happened on Saturday at the World Cup …
Sweden followed up their 5-1 opening win over Tunisia with a thumping by the same scoreline by the Netherlands, with Sunderland’s Brian Brobbey on the scoresheet twice in Houston. Nick Ames was there:
Deniz Undav kept up his remarkable scoring record for Germany with both off the bench, including a late winner, against an impressive Côte d’Ivoire in Toronto. Leander Schaerlackens was there:
Curaçao earned their first point at a World Cup by holding Ecuador, with a heroic Eloy Room making a a ridiculous 15 saves in Kansas City. Ed Aarons was there:
And Herve Renard’s first game in charge of Tunisia was just as poor as Sabri Lamouchi’s final match, with Japan racking up the goals in Monterrey. Jonathan Wilson was there:
Iran’s Ghalenoei bemoans lack of support from other 47 managers
Ben Fisher
Iran’s head coach, Amir Ghalenoei, expressed his disappointment at the lack of support from the other 47 managers at the World Cup amid further chaos on the eve of their crunch match against Belgium.
Iran arrived in Los Angeles from their base in Tijuana, Mexico, soon after midday on Saturday, less than 24 hours before their second Group G game. Iran had requested to arrive in LA two days before the match but were not permitted to do so and have voiced their frustrations to Fifa’s president, Gianni Infantino, about feeling the “most oppressed” team at the tournament. Belgium, meanwhile, arrived on Friday to prepare for the match.
“I haven’t heard anything from other coaches and I’m sure they’re busy with preparing their own teams and we never expect them to show any reaction,” Ghalenoei said. “But if I had seen another team being treated the way we’ve been treated, I would have [done it].
“I have not seen any reactions from anyone but it seems like the honourable coach of Belgium [Rudi Garcia] has said we are here for football, not politics, and I’m saying exactly the same thing. Our grievances are to do with the way [Fifa] have behaved towards us.”
Ghalenoei detailed how Iran waited in limbo on Friday evening after being given encouragement by Fifa that Iran may be able to travel earlier to LA than initially permitted. Ghalenoei said the team were ready to leave their base in Tijuana but the evening passed without Fifa giving them the green light.
“They [Fifa] phoned me and said: ‘Are you ready if we get you a flight at 6pm?’ I welcomed that but we sat and waited and waited,” Ghalenoei said. “We waited until 7pm, nothing happened. ‘OK, sorry, we weren’t able to do that.’ That’s going to affect us mentally, especially me as a head coach … I know Fifa is trying its best, I thank them for that but it doesn’t mean they have succeeded.”
Ghalenoei confirmed they have been granted permission to fly to Seattle two days before their final Group G match against Egypt on Friday, but questioned why they have been prevented from doing so for their other matches in the US. “Why didn’t they let us come earlier for the first two games as well?” the 62-year-old said. “They’ve allowed us to make our own decisions with regards to planning the travel but unfortunately for the first two games others made these decisions for us.”
Preamble
Tunisia are out, after a thumping defeat against Japan in Group F. Curaçao are still in there fighting, after a heroic 0-0 draw against Ecuador in Group E … Germany and the Netherlands, meanwhile, appear to be moving ominously through the gears. Let’s talk about the World Cup.
The migrant was found unresponsive on a boat in the English Channel on Saturday.
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Speaking on Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, the former Cabinet Secretary said leadership transitions are “enormously disruptive”.
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Free Nelson Mandela
9pm, Channel 4
The second episode of this excellent series exploring the struggle against apartheid tracks the turbulent 1980s. As Nelson Mandela’s health deteriorates, the South African government begins to see that allowing him to die in custody could lead to civil war. Meanwhile, an epic outdoor concert in London showcases Jerry Dammers’s protest song for the ages, Free Nelson Mandela. Phil Harrison
Cruising to the Ends of the Earth
8pm, Channel 4
It’s the seventh instalment of this series looking at “unforgettable voyages” on four cruise ships – including the Diamond Princess, previously home to a mass Covid outbreak. This episode follows it docking in Kagoshima, home of Japan’s most active volcano, as well as visiting sister ship the Discovery Princess in the breathtaking wilds of Alaska. Alexi Duggins
Inside Barlinnie
9pm, BBC Two
In the last episode of the second series of the docudrama set inside Glasgow’s notorious prison, we meet offender Frankie who’s found it a stabilising force. An addict since he was nine, it’s the longest time he’s been sober – but his habit of assaulting sex offenders has added time to his sentence. Priya Elan
Little Disasters
9pm, Channel 5
This thriller adaptation starring Diane Kruger continues. Jess and Ed’s behaviour is now having consequences for the whole friendship group as the social services get involved. Maybe a few quiet betrayals are in order? PH
Death Valley
9.15pm, BBC One
It’s funny every week but in this series two finale, the cosy crime hit is touching, too. Diffident detective Janie (Gwyneth Keyworth) is leaving for a year in Portugal, to the dismay of her police colleagues and actor sidekick John (Timothy Spall). But someone’s been bludgeoned at a rugby club full of eccentrics. Jack Seale
Later … With Jools Holland
10pm, BBC Two
An impressive mix of old and new for the final episode of this series. Shania Twain will share a piano with Jools for a performance of her 1997 hit You’re Still the One. Arlo Parks offers tunes from her new album. And there’ll be spotty, theatrical, microtonal oddness from buzzy Canadians Angine de Poitrine. PH
Film choice
Billy & Molly: An Otter Love Story (Charlie Hamilton-James, 2024), 4.25pm, Channel 4
Molly, a young otter, was found by middle-aged couple Billy and Susan outside their remote Shetland home, hungry and possibly orphaned. Charlie Hamilton-James’s delightful documentary follows a year in their lives as Billy brings her back to health. It’s proper comfort viewing, as lovely aerial shots of Molly out and about along the coast are blended with footage of Billy caring for the playful, lovable creature. And Billy and Susan’s often wry narration highlights the mental health benefit close proximity to nature can have. Simon Wardell
The Lost Boys (Joel Schumacher, 1987), 9.40pm, Sky Cinema Greats
A key work from the John Hughes era of US teen movies, Joel Schumacher’s undead horror/biker flick blends a Goonies-like caper with barely suppressed adolescent lust. Jason Patric is all black leather and attitude as Michael, the new kid in town drawn to Jami Gertz’s mystery girl, who in turn is in thrall to rebel/vampire Kiefer Sutherland. Corey Haim drives the plot forward as Michael’s brother Sam who, with the grownups awol, leads the fight back by way of holy water pistols, chunks of garlic and tips from a comic book. SW
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