After a tumultuous week in which they suffered a 5-1 defeat by Sweden, sacked Sabri Lamouchi and appointed ex-Saudi Arabia boss Herve Renard as head coach, it took less than four minutes for them to go behind in Guadalupe, Mexico. An impressive Japan, who were well drilled throughout, broke the deadlock with a quick counter-attack which ended in Crystal Palace's Daichi Kamada prodding home from close range at Monterrey Stadium. It did not take long for a dominant Japan side to inflict a second blow as Ayase Ueda produced a lovely finish to arrow the ball through the legs of a defender and into the far corner from the edge of the box. Tunisia looked devoid of ideas for much of the game and gifted Japan ample space, which they used to display their free-flowing possession-based style. Junya Ito added another when he rolled a simple finish past Tunisia goalkeeper Aymen Dahmen after being threaded through one-on-one. Ueda wrapped up victory when he tucked a looping header into the far corner. Japan were constantly a cut above and were never threatened by a Tunisia side who were pedestrian and had every attack easily neutralised. Japan have four points and are likely at least to progress as one of the best third-placed sides, but they will hope to earn a guaranteed spot in the last 32 when they take on Sweden on Friday in their final group game. Tunisia play the Netherlands, who are top of the group, at the same time.

Miami FC keeper Room pulled off a record-equalling 15 saves to keep out the South Americans in Group E. The 37-year-old was in stunning form to match USA goalkeeper Tim Howard's record for the most saves in a World Cup game. Howard made 15 saves against Belgium in 2014 in a match that went to extra time (also conceding twice in a 2-1 defeat) - but Room's clean sheet earned Dick Advocaat's side a historic draw. His first save came after just three minutes and was arguably the best of the night as he kept out Enner Valencia from close range. John Yeboah was next to be denied before Room saved again from Valencia among six first-half stops. Room was even busier after the break as he denied Moises Caicedo, Pedro Vite, Kevin Rodriguez, Nilson Angulo, Gonzalo Plata and others. Curacao did have a great opportunity of their own on the hour mark but Leandro Bacuna's strike was saved before Liviana Comenencia had an effort turned away. Ecuador will rue their missed chances - with 27 attempts in total - and must beat group winners Germany in their final game to progress to the knockout stages, having lost to Ivory Coast in their opener. Curacao - who lost 7-1 to Germany in their first game - could also qualify for the last 32 if they beat Ivory Coast in their final match.

There were reminders of Brazil's glorious past all over the Philadelphia Stadium. Ronaldinho, who was part of team crowned world champions in 2002, was in the crowd, while fans waved replica World Cup trophies in the air in the stands during the 3-0 win over Haiti. Two goals by Matheus Cunha and another lovely finish by Vinicius Jr - all before half-time - ensured Brazil are up and running at this tournament. A first win, a first clean sheet, fans clad in yellow dancing in the stands. And then you remembered Brazil were facing a Haiti team more than 80 places below them in Fifa's world rankings. That the Selecao were so flat after half-time that they failed to register an attempt on target in the second half. That Haiti, who became the first team to be eliminated from the 2026 World Cup after this result, had seven shots to Brazil's two in the second half. While rivals Argentina and France have impressed in the United States, Brazil have struggled to hit top form, and faded after a bright start in Philadelphia. After the uninspiring 1-1 draw with Morocco in New Jersey in their opening Group C game, Brazil have four points from two games and are expected to advance to the last-32 stage.

Paraguay took the lead after just 64 seconds when midfielder Matias Galarza fired in from outside the area to score the fastest goal so far in this tournament and what turned out to be the match-winner. Almost from that point onwards, however, it was one-way traffic as Turkey piled forward in search of an equaliser. Their hopes were boosted when former Newcastle United midfielder Almiron put his hand over his mouth in a confrontation with Turkey defender Mert Muldur during first-half stoppage time. After a video assistant referee review, Salvadoran referee Ivan Barton brandished a red card - as part of a new rule introduced before the World Cup. Both sides came into the game on the back of defeats with Paraguay thrashed by hosts USA 4-1 while Australia beat Turkey 2-0 - meaning there was an edge to the meeting with so much on the line, which led to a fiery contest. Despite their complete dominance, Turkey managed just one shot on target from 12 attempts, while a deflected header from Muldur hit the bar and the post. Merih Demiral did test Orlando Gill after the break before substitute Deniz Gul wasted a great chance with a close-range header that was straight at the Paraguay goalkeeper. Can Uzun forced Gill into a fine save late on before Gul somehow turned wide the rebound, although it was likely it would have been ruled out for offside to somewhat spare his blushes. Turkey had 30 attempts on goal against the Socceroos in their first game and a further 32 here but could not find a way through against the 10 men in the second half and remain goalless in this tournament. They cannot progress now after two defeats, while Paraguay know if they beat Australia in their final Group D game, then they will be through to the knockout stages.

Head coach Steve Clarke had asked for the "footballing Gods to be smiling down on us" – with the knowledge one point would all-but confirm their progression out of Group C - but the Scots made the worst possible start. Sloppy defending allowed Ismael Saibari to rocket the Africa Cup of Nations champions - ranked the sixth best team in the world - into a sensational lead inside the opening two minutes. Clarke shuffled his pack from Saturday's victory against Haiti, with Celtic defender Kieran Tierney starting on the left of midfield in an apparent attempt to man-mark Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi. That plan was pulled apart, though, when centre-backs Grant Hanley and Jack Hendry allowed Saibari to scoot in behind and sensationally flash his side in front. The strike sucked the life out of the jubilant Tartan Army, who again bounced down to the Boston Stadium full of optimism. They were swiftly left fearing the worst.