WORLD CUP DAY 4 SUMMARY: Manchester United and Liverpool stars dominated the spotlight, Uruguay's team plane was held up, ITV faced criticism, a UEFA official was condemned, and Iran called out FIFA
Amad Diallo of Ivory Coast celebrates after netting his team's goal against Ecuador (Image: Daniela Porcelli, Getty Images)
Manchester United, Liverpool, and Arsenal players captured the limelight as the fourth day of the World Cup delivered a flurry of goals.
Earlier in the day, four-time champions Germany overcame a minor scare from World Cup newcomers Curacao before showcasing their quality to win their Group E opener in Houston, ultimately securing a dominant 7-1 victory after the Caribbean side's equaliser had briefly levelled the score at 1-1 - marking their first-ever World Cup goal.
Meanwhile, the Netherlands had to accept a draw after squandering the lead twice against Japan in an exciting 2-2 stalemate, which is sure to invite criticism of Dutch manager Ronald Koeman's defensive approach. Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk had put his side ahead with a trademark header, but Daichi Kamada's late header of his own earned a deserved point for Japan. However, there was plenty more action and controversy to follow... Here is our summary of all the major stories from day three of the World Cup.
Virgil van Dijk scored the opening goal for the Netherlands versus Japan (Image: Rico Brouwer/Soccrates)
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Sweden's emphatic victory
Yasin Ayari scored twice and Liverpool striker Alexander Isak netted with a composed finish as Sweden delivered one of the tournament's most impressive performances to date, thrashing Tunisia.
Arsenal forward Viktor Gyokeres and Mattias Svanberg also found the net, while Omar Rekik's goal proved to be a mere consolation.
The pairing of Isak and Gyokeres was simply too much for the North Africans to handle, with the Β£125m forward, who spent much of last season at Anfield sidelined by injury, demonstrating his quality.
Alexander Isak scores for Sweden against Tunisia (Image: (Luke Hales/Getty Images))
With one goal and two assists, he became only the second Swedish player to record a goal and two assists in a World Cup match since 1966, following Tomas Brolin against Bulgaria in 1994.
He will have calmed the nerves of Liverpool fans still questioning whether the first-season flop can ever rediscover the form he displayed at Newcastle United before his controversial move last summer.
Graham Potter's side currently top Group F and are scheduled to face the Netherlands next on Saturday evening. A victory in that match should be enough to send Sweden into the knockout phase.
Uruguay disruption
Uruguay head coach Marcelo Bielsa (Image: Photo by Agencia Gamba/Getty Images)
FIFA has released a statement following the delay of Uruguay's team flight from Mexico to the United States on Sunday, according to the Mirror.
The hold-up was caused by documentation issues with the aircraft, meaning it had not received clearance to operate the route from Cancun to Miami. The Uruguayan Federation appeared to blame FIFA for the setback in their own statement.
They said: "Due to problems beyond the control of the AUF, the departure from Mexico has been delayed. The squad is resting at the hotel. The new departure time set by FIFA is 4.15pm."
FIFA, however, responded by pointing the finger at the airline. Their statement declared: "Due to an airline permitting error in Mexico, the Uruguay national team's departure from Cancun to Miami was delayed.
"The airline has apologised for the inconvenience caused. FIFA remained in close contact with the Uruguay national team throughout their delay and worked alongside airport and operational partners to help expedite the process and minimise disruption to the team's travel arrangements."
Uruguay has now landed in Miami and held their postponed press conference with manager Marcelo Bielsa and captain Jose Maria Gimenez. They begin their World Cup campaign against Saudi Arabia tonight.
ITV viewers frustrated
Laura Woods introduced the match on Sunday night for ITV (Image: Getty Images)
Japan fought back twice to kick off their World Cup campaign with an exciting 2-2 draw against the Netherlands - but ITV viewers were far from satisfied.
Virgil van Dijk headed the Netherlands ahead six minutes into the second half before Keito Nakamura equalised just before the hour mark.
Crysencio Summerville then put his team back in front before Daichi Kamada's late header secured a well-earned point for Japan. Yet fans watching at home on Sunday evening were left thoroughly unimpressed by the broadcast quality.
One posted: "Whats with the picture quality on @ITV? Absolutely awful. Glad I'm not a football fan because I couldn't sit and watch a match like that."
Another commented: "The @ITV picture quality of the World Cup is awful. Should have stayed in Salford and invested in some camera technology. It's like watching on a 24 inch Granada rental in the early 80s."
A third raged: "@ITV what's with the poor picture quality of your World Cup games, had to turn off watching the Japan v Dutch game giving me a headache. Same on previous matches."
Another vented: "@itvfootball belongs in the bin. The picture quality is worse than a dial up stream 20 years ago. It's literally making my eyes go funny. Awful stuff @ITV."
Ivory Coast strike late
Amad Diallo scored the only goal of a thrilling game (Image: Ezra Shaw - FIFA, FIFA via Getty Images)
Just before that match, a last-minute goal from Amad Diallo secured the Ivory Coast a 1-0 victory in their opening encounter with Ecuador in Philadelphia.
The South Americans hit the woodwork three times, with the Ivory Coast also striking the bar before Manchester United winger Amad slotted home in the 90th minute.
It was a superb finish as the substitute opened his left foot to deflect the ball into the corner after a powerful run from Wilfried Singo - and it ended a 19-game unbeaten run stretching almost two years for Ecuador.
It appeared that Ecuador, who had kept 12 clean sheets in 19 games under manager Sebastian Beccacece, had done enough to contain Ivory Coast's attack including star man Yan Diomande, who impressed following months of being linked to a blockbuster transfer to Liverpool from RB Leipzig.
Emerse Fae's team will next face Germany, with both sides entering the match on the back of wins after Julian Nagelsmann's side trounced debutants Curacao in Houston. That Group E clash is scheduled for Saturday night.
UEFA chief criticised
UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has come under fire for his comments (Image: Getty Images)
UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has faced criticism from 13 World Cup nations after he suggested the expanded tournament had resulted in many fixtures being "uninteresting".
However, the football associations of Cape Verde, Curacao, Uzbekistan, DR Congo, Haiti, Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt, Ghana, Senegal, Ivory Coast and South Africa have united to "express their profound disappointment" at Ceferin.
In a joint statement, they declared: "We respectfully but firmly reject these comments. For our countries, there is no such thing as an unimportant World Cup match.
"For Cape Verde, Curacao and Uzbekistan, qualification for the Fifa World Cup represents a historic achievement and the realisation of a dream shared by generations.
"For nations such as Congo and Haiti, returning to football's biggest stage after a long absence carries a special meaning for millions of supporters who have waited years, and in some cases decades, for this moment.
"To suggest that these matches are somehow less important is deeply disappointing and fails to recognise the efforts, sacrifices and aspirations of players, coaches, clubs, football leaders and supporters across the world."
Iran captain calls out FIFA
Iran's head coach Amir Ghalenoei and captain Mehdi Taremi (Image: (Patrick T. FALLON / AFP via Getty Images))
FIFA officials urged journalists to focus on sport and tactics during a press conference featuring Iran's head coach Amir Ghalenoei and captain Mehdi Taremi.
Iran's participation in the finals has been uncertain since the United States and Israeli air strikes commenced in February. The squad relocated their training headquarters to Tijuana in Mexico in an attempt to sidestep visa complications, yet 11 officials were still refused US visas to cross the border and witness the team's fixtures.
They touched down in Los Angeles on Sunday prior to their opener against New Zealand, with Taremi claiming the furore and upheaval surrounding their participation at the World Cup contradicts FIFA's message of peace.
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"This kind of tension undermines that joy and it undermines the message of FIFA and our people, which is about football and bringing about peace," the striker declared. "I think this World Cup could have provided a better atmosphere than it has, and I hope in the future it will be better for all fans, whoever they are supporting.
"It's not just Iran that has been impacted; others have been impacted, including referees [the Somali official Omar Artan was denied entry]. I have felt the tension from the first moment we arrived at this World Cup.
"Of course, we don't have the same beautiful experience we usually talk about β peace and joy. I know several countries had visa problems and changing of training camps. The tension exists β it did before the World Cup even started. The feeling, the sensation people always have looking forward to a World Cup, I think this time they hadn't had the same feeling."