Day four of the 2026 FIFA World Cup delivered goals, records, drama, and one of the tournament's early feel-good stories in abundance.
The Giant and the Minnow
In Houston, Germany arrived as one of the tournament's pre-competition favourites and proceeded to demonstrate exactly why — but not before giving the watching world a moment of pure, unexpected joy. Curaçao, a Caribbean island of just 160,000 people and the smallest nation ever to play in a World Cup, went to Houston and scored first. Comenecia's 21st-minute goal — the first in World Cup history for this tiny footballing nation — sent the Curaçao fans inside Houston stadium into raptures and briefly made the impossible seem possible. Germany were level by half-time through Nmecha and Schlotterbeck, but the contest was effectively over when Kai Havertz converted a penalty just before the break. Musiala, Brown, Undav, and a second Havertz goal in the 88th minute rounded off a 7-1 scoreline that flatters no one and harms no one — except, perhaps, Curaçao's goal difference. They scored at a World Cup. In a tournament already bursting with stories, that one will not be forgotten quickly.
On the same evening, Manuel Neuer pulled on the Germany jersey for the 125th time and became the oldest outfield player to appear at a major tournament for the national team, at 40 years and 79 days. The reception he received — from the German fans and frankly from everyone else — was entirely deserved.
A Classic in Dallas
In Dallas, Netherlands against Japan produced the tie of the day — and possibly of the tournament so far. The Dutch looked to have done enough when goals from Virgil van Dijk (a thumping header from a corner, 50 minutes) and Crysencio Summerville (a cool finish after cutting inside, 64 minutes) had them 2-1 ahead. Japan had clawed one back through Nakamura shortly after Van Dijk's goal, and the Japanese belief never wavered. Daichi Kamada settled it: in the 89th minute, with Japan throwing everything at the Dutch backline, a corner broke to Kamada and his low deflection crept into the net. Pandemonium. Japan had come from behind — twice — to earn a draw that felt, by the end, entirely merited. Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman will have a long think about his defensive setup before their next fixture.
Woodwork, Heartbreak, and One Moment of Magic
Last but most certainly not least, Ivory Coast and Ecuador played out a breathless contest in Philadelphia. Ecuador dominated the first half — Valencia blazed over, Yeboah and Minda both struck the woodwork, Valencia then rattled the outside of the post early in the second half. It was one of those performances where a team does everything right except score. Ivory Coast steadied themselves after the break, introduced Amad Diallo as a substitute in the 56th minute, and waited. In the 90th minute, Wilfried Singo drove down the right flank with the energy of a man absolutely certain he was going to contribute something, and his cutback found Amad, who sidefooted the ball past the goalkeeper with the composure of a Premier League forward accustomed to high-pressure moments. That single goal ended Ecuador's 19-match unbeaten run. Football can be very, very cruel.
Six goals for Ecuador's woodwork, zero for their scoreline. Four different stories, each worth telling. The 2026 World Cup just keeps on giving.