FIFA World Cup 2026 as it happened: Sweden beat Tunisia 5-1; Ivory Coast sneak last-minute goal past Ecuador 1-0; Netherlands and Japan in 2-all draw as Germany smash Curacao 7-1

As the whistle has been blown in the final match on day four, it’s time for us to say goodbye for now. We’ll be back tomorrow for four more matches, headlined by Iran’s World Cup campaign opener against New Zealand at 11am (AEST).

Here’s a list of stories for you to read (especially if you want to relive Australia’s 2-0 victory over Turkey) until then:

• Who is Nestory Irankunda, the break-out star of the Socceroos
• Popovic made some massive calls yesterday. It’s fair to say they paid off
• Re-live the best goals from Socceroos v Turkey
• Have a go at picking your winner with our World Cup predictor.
• Think you know your World Cup history? Try out our quiz and leave your score in the comment section.
• Looking for couch-friendly snack ideas while you watch the Cup? Good Food have you sorted.
• Jumping on the bandwagon and need an update on who is in the Socceroos squad? No worries, this guide will be enough to make you sound knowledgeable at any watch party:

Australian referee Shaun Evans has been accused of doing a “white power” gesture during the World Cup broadcast before Germany’s 7-1 win over Curacao on Monday (AEST).

The broadcast cut to Evans alongside two colleagues in the video assistant referees (VAR) booth, where he could be seen making an upside-down OK sign against his thigh.

The gesture is usually used to show approval but has increasingly been used by those on the far-right.

Evans has not yet commented publicly on the allegations.

Screen captures of Evans doing the sign are circulating on social media, where some users are claiming he is doing the white power gesture, while others say Evans’ symbol is part of a game in which a person loses if they look inside the circle.

A FIFA spokesperson told the Athletic the organisation was aware of the incident but declined to comment further.

Just before the final whistle blows, Sweden bag their fifth goal. Just because they can. It’s Ayari – who scored their first in the seventh minute – who gets the final one in the 96th.

Sweden have claimed their third goal after a shocking mistake from Tunisian defender Ellyes Skhiri. Tunisia’s keeper Chamakh made a routine pass to Skhiri, but Isak was on his tail and clipped the ball out from under the Tunisian’s feet.

Skhiri tried to win the ball back by attempting a sliding tackle on Isak, but the Swede lifted the ball over Skhiri’s legs, placing it in front of Gyokeres, who gets the point.

It’s Sweden 3-1 Tunisia after one hour.

It was Patrick Beach’s third international match yesterday, selected over captain Maty Ryan in a bold choice from coach Tony Popovic. 

Joining the list of young talent filling this squad, the 22-year-old now holds the record for the most saves by a Socceroos goalkeeper at a FIFA World Cup.

Tunisia have scored before half-time, narrowing Sweden’s lead to one goal. It starts with a throw-in, which Sweden clear before Hannibal Mejbri delivers a cross that is met with a perfectly timed header by Omar Rekik.

It’s Tunisia’s only shot on target. There will be four minutes of added time to this half.

Sweden have doubled their lead against Tunisia with a stunning strike from Alexander Isak. Sweden began the play with a defensive intercept just above their goal, which spread Tunisia too thin to defend against the men in yellow and blue. With all the room in the world, Isak went solo up the left side of the pitch, weaving around a Tunisian defender to belt the ball with his right foot.

It’s 2-0 to Sweden after half-an-hour.