Sportsbooks believe the NFC North will shake out in this order during the 2026 regular season: Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Chicago Bears, Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings, in fact, are quite the underdog to win the division, with +500 moneyline odds in June, which gives Minnesota a 17% chance and is equivalent to a 10-point underdog on a single-game scale.
But VikingsTerritory has a different take, and to the surprise of none, does not believe the Vikings will inhabit last place in 2026.
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown celebrates a touchdown with teammates Jameson Williams and David Montgomery during second-half action against the Cleveland Browns at Ford Field. The scoring play occurred on Sept. 28, 2025, in Detroit as the Lions continued a strong offensive performance and added another highlight in front of the home crowd. Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images
1. Detroit Lions | 12-5
While the Lions finishing last in the NFC North in 2025 was undoubtedly concerning — they played terribly down the stretch — their roster isn’t the problem. Dan Campbell’s team still has the juice to reach the postseason and do some damage in the tournament.
Detroit has three main perks at its disposal: a powerful, playmaking offense, a defense with enough talent to support that offense, and a Top-5 or Top-8 coach in Campbell. The Lions also have the benefit of a last-place schedule, which Vikings fans thought Minnesota might enjoy when the season looked rough at 4-8 last November. Instead, the Vikings won their final five games.
The Lions get the “tiebreaker” here in a tight division because of the schedule’s strength. It’s also worth noting that, when it’s all said and done with the current iteration of the Lions, their Super Bowl window might’ve closed the day they coughed away the NFC Championship in 2023 to the San Francisco 49ers in the largest collapse in NFC title game history.
Lions’ Main Veteran Offseason Additions:
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Larry Borom (OT)
Teddy Bridgewater (QB)
Chuck Clark (S)
Tyler Conklin (TE)
Greg Dortch (WR)
Christian Izien (DB)
Cade Mays (OL)
Roger McCreary (CB)
Isiah Pacheco (RB)
Juice Scruggs (OL)
D.J. Wonnum (DE)
Lions’ Main Veteran Offseason Departures:
Kyle Allen (QB)
Alex Anzalone (LB)
Taylor Decker (OT)
Graham Glasgow (IOL)
Roy Lopez (DT)
David Montgomery (RB)
Al-Quadin Muhammad (EDGE)
Josh Paschal (EDGE)
Kalif Raymond (WR)
Amik Robertson (CB)
Grant Stuard (LB)
2. Minnesota Vikings | 11-6
If the Vikings could finish 2025 with a winning record while showcasing the NFL’s fifth-worst quarterback performance per Dropback EPA, they can get two more wins with Kyler Murray under center.
Murray’s current contract with the Vikings — one year and $1.3 million — is absurdly sweet value, so much so that it doesn’t feel like it should be allowed. Props to the Arizona Cardinals for paying Murray’s ticket to play in Minnesota.
Minnesota Vikings cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. reacts following a matchup against the Detroit Lions at U.S. Bank Stadium. The veteran defensive back remained on the field on Dec. 25, 2025, in Minneapolis after Minnesota’s divisional showdown as players reflected on the outcome of a key late-season contest. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
With the Vikings. Murray will join a Top 3 or Top 5 defense for the first time in his career, tasked with distributing the ball to Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Jauan Jennings, T.J. Hockenson, Jordan Mason, and Aaron Jones.
The experiment will work to the tune of 11 wins, as Murray will likely stay on as Minnesota’s QB1 for multiple seasons.
Vikings’ Main Veteran Offseason Additions:
Johnny Hekker (P)
Jauan Jennings (WR)
Kyler Murray (QB)
James Pierre (CB)
Ryan Van Demark (OL)
Vikings’ Main Veteran Offseason Departures:
Jonathan Allen (DT)
C.J. Ham (FB)
Javon Hargrave (DT)
Jonathan Greenard (EDGE)
Ryan Kelly (C)
Jalen Nailor (WR)
Harrison Smith (S)
Ryan Wright (P)
3. Green Bay Packers | 10-7
The Packers never stray too far from relevance, making it unwise to pick them as cellar dwellers in the NFC North — like ever.
Green Bay lost its defensive coordinator, Jeff Hafley, to the Miami Dolphins, and if Jordan Love misses time due to injury, it will call on Tyrod Taylor, a game manager, not Malik Willis, in 2026. The Packers also have some uncertainty at running back with Josh Jacobs’ bizarre legal ordeal, an alleged choking incident that still needs resolution.
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Regardless, we trust Green Bay to win 9 or 10 games; that’s what the franchise does as a baseline.
Packers’ Main Veteran Offseason Arrivals:
Zaire Franklin (LB)
Javon Hargrave (DT)
Skyy Moore (WR)
Benjamin St-Juste (CB)
Tyrod Taylor (QB)
Packers’ Main Veteran Offseason Departures:
Zayne Anderson (S)
Romeo Doubs (WR)
Kingsley Enagbare (EDGE)
Rashan Gary (EDGE)
Nate Hobbs (CB)
Elgton Jenkins (C)
Malik Willis (QB)
Quay Walker (LB)
Rasheed Walker (OT)
Emanuel Wilson (RB)
Colby Wooden (DL)
4. Chicago Bears | 9-8
Bears fans will simply refuse to believe it, and that’s fine, but teams that find ways to win a litany of close games generally return to earth the following season. That happened to the Vikings in 2022, even if fans insisted close-game wins indicated a “team of destiny.” Bears fans experienced the same phenomenon in 2025, and Chicago even beat Green Bay in the postseason, a monkey-off-the-back moment.
Chicago Bears defensive end Montez Sweat walks off the field following a game against the Dallas Cowboys at Soldier Field. The veteran pass rusher appeared after the final whistle on Sept. 21, 2025, in Chicago as the Bears wrapped up another regular-season matchup and turned their attention toward the next week. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
Chicago, though, will face a first-place schedule in 2026 and has a target on its back, with quarterback Caleb Williams climbing the NFL’s radar as the next big thing.
The upcoming campaign feels ripe for a miniature Bears regression, putting them around 9 wins and fighting for playoff entry around the 7th seed.
Bears’ Main Veteran Offseason Arrivals:
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Garrett Bradbury (C)
Coby Bryant (S)
Devin Bush (LB)
Neville Gallimore (DT)
Cam Lewis (DB)
Scott Miller (WR)
Kalif Raymond (WR)
Jack Sanborn (LB)
Kentavius Street (EDGE)
Jedrick Wills Jr. (OT)
Bears’ Main Veteran Offseason Departures:
Kevin Byard (S)
Tremaine Edmunds (LB)
Dominique Robinson (EDGE)
Durham Smythe (TE)
Nahshon Wright (CB)
Chris Williams (DT)
Olamide Zacchaeus (WR)
The Los Angeles Rams, of course, are the overwhelming favorite to win the Super Bowl. Los Angeles’s roster is so stacked that it feels like NFC North standings may not even matter, at least from a June standpoint.
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Manchester City are keen on Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali but are not the only interested club with Tottenham having seen an £80million offer rejected
Japan thrashed Tunisia 4-0 to confirm the North Africans’ exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage on Saturday.
Tunisia came into the match after a difficult week that included a heavy 5-1 defeat to Sweden, the dismissal of head coach Sabri Lamouchi and the appointment of Herve Renard as his replacement. However, the change in the dugout failed to produce an immediate response.
Japan took the lead after less than four minutes at Monterrey Stadium in Guadalupe, Mexico. A swift counter-attack caught Tunisia’s defence out of position and Daichi Kamada finished from close range to put the Asian side ahead.
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The Japanese doubled their advantage soon afterwards through Ayase Ueda. The striker produced an excellent finish from the edge of the penalty area, sending the ball through a defender’s legs and into the far corner.
Tunisia struggled to create meaningful chances and looked short of ideas throughout the contest. Japan controlled possession comfortably and repeatedly found space to launch dangerous attacks.
Junya Ito made it 3-0 after being played through on goal and calmly beat goalkeeper Aymen Dahmen with a simple finish.
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Ueda completed the scoring late in the match when he guided a looping header into the far corner for his second goal of the game.
Japan were far superior from start to finish and never looked troubled by a Tunisia side whose attacks were easily dealt with.
The result leaves Japan on four points and in a strong position to reach the knockout stage. They will aim to secure qualification when they face Sweden in their final group match on Friday.
Tunisia, meanwhile, have been eliminated from the tournament and will play their last group game against group leaders the Netherlands.
There’s been Achilles the cat, Mani the Parakeet and Nelly the elephant. Over the years, animals from across the world have predicted the outcome of World Cup matches. This year is no different, with a Canadian goldfish and Thai tigers and hippos putting bets on who will come out on top in the 2026 competition. Story by Camille Corcoran.
Only a few days ago, they were charging at and sledging Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. On Sunday, it all turned into the ultimate show of sportsmanship. Playing in the final of the Tri-Nation Series in Dambulla, Sooryavanshi shrugged off his lean run in the league stage with a breathtaking 29-ball 94, which also included the fastest fifty in List A cricket, to help India A post a mammoth 377/9 against Sri Lanka A in the tri-series final on Sunday.
The last time Sooryavanshi faced Sri Lanka A, it ended in a physical altercation. On Sunday, Sri Lankan players came up and patted him on the back after the fiery knock.
THE AURA OF 15 YO SOORYAVANSHI.
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From mocking to congratulating – Vaibhav Sooryavanshi answered with his blistering knock of 94.
Asked to bat, India A looked set for a score in excess of 400, riding on Sooryavanshi’s extraordinary blitz before Sri Lanka A clawed their way back in the middle overs.
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Skipper Tilak Varma steadied the innings with a composed 67 off 90 balls, while Anukul Roy (39 off 15) and Vipraj Nigam (27 off 20) produced a late burst to lift India beyond the 350-run mark.
The day, however, belonged to Sooryavanshi.
The 15-year-old from Samastipur in Bihar needed just 11 deliveries to reach his half-century, eclipsing the 21-year-old record held by Sri Lanka’s Kaushalya Weeraratne, who had taken 12 balls to reach the milestone in 2005.
Having endured a modest run in the series, Sooryavanshi walked out with clear intent and unleashed absolute carnage. His first 11 deliveries yielded 50 runs, reading 4, 4, 4, 6, 6, 0, 6, 4, 4, 6, 6, as he dismantled the Sri Lankan attack from the outset.
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He reached the landmark with five sixes and as many boundaries, bringing up the record with successive sixes straight down the ground off pacer Dulaj Samuditha.
The left-hander combined brute force with exceptional timing. He initially targeted the leg side against the seamers before effortlessly opening up the off side once Sri Lanka A stationed an additional fielder on the on side.
His ability to dispatch even good deliveries over the ropes once again stood out.
The highlight of the innings was his lofted shots over extra cover. Three effortless sixes in that region showcased the bat speed, balance and fearlessness that have made him one of India’s most exciting young talents.
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Alongside Priyansh Arya (39), Sooryavanshi added 132 runs for the opening wicket and looked well on course to register the fastest century in List A cricket.
However, spinner Sahan Arachchige ended the fireworks by having him caught at mid-off in the ninth over. Arya followed an over later as Sri Lanka A clawed their way back into the contest.
Ruturaj Gaikwad (40) and Tilak then added 63 runs for the third wicket, but the flow of boundaries dried up considerably.
As India attempted to accelerate in the closing stages, wickets fell at regular intervals, but Nigam and Anukul provided the final flourish.
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Crysencio Summerville is enjoying an impressive World Cup for the Netherlands, but that may not be good news for Manchester United
Manchester United may be wincing every time Crysencio Summerville finds the net in the World Cup. The West Ham United forward is a transfer target for the Reds this summer.
And with the Hammers having been relegated from the Premier League last season, the former Leeds United forward is expected to leave the London Stadium this summer. Over the last few weeks, £50million is the figure that has been banded about for the Dutchman.
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However, after he found the net in the Netherlands’ 5-1 demolition of Sweden on Saturday evening, with that strike coming after he scored a fine goal for his country in their 2-2 draw with Japan, his price tag is growing with every good display he produces.
Summerville currently boasts two goals and an assist in his opening two matches. He may add to that tally on Friday, June 26, when Ronald Koeman’s side face Group F whipping boys Tunisia, who have been beaten 5-1 and 4-0 by Sweden and Japan, respectively.
His displays will be good news for West Ham. It’s understood there is no buyout clause in the ex-Leeds star’s contract at the club, meaning the Hammers are in a position to demand whatever fee they like.
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If Summerville continues to find the net at the rate he is, they may only increase the price they want. United could also find themselves in a bidding war, as Paris Saint-Germain have also been linked with the 24-year-old.
The French side are also expected to allow Bradley Barcola to leave, meaning they will be in the market for a new left-winger. Summerville has firmly put himself in the European transfer market window with his performances for the Netherlands.
Interestingly, both of his World Cup appearances have also come from the substitutes’ bench. After their victory over Sweden, Netherlands boss Koeman appeared to suggest Summerville may come in for Donyell Malen when the matches get trickier.
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He said: “I think Summerville is stronger defensively. We talk a lot with the players about recognizing tactical changes on the pitch quicker.
“I understand that the substitution is difficult for Donyell, but this is top-level football. Team performances are what matter. Before the match, I sat down with him and explained why he would play on the right and that he would have the freedom to cut inside because he is not a natural right winger.”
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In the Premier League, Summerville contributed five goals and four assists in 31 appearances for the east Londoners last season. With United reportedly in the market for a left-winger, his displays in the World Cup, on top of his Premier League displays, may be enough to convince Michael Carrick to sign him.
Sky is knocking 20% off its entire range of Glass TVs to mark the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Until June 17, shoppers can upgrade to the Sky smart TV that’s ‘designed for football’ from £4.50 per month when taken alongside a Sky TV and Netflix package.
Eloy Room became an overnight World Cup hero after producing a record-equalling goalkeeping display to help Curaçao secure a historic 0-0 draw against Ecuador.
The 37-year-old goalkeeper was in inspired form as he made 15 saves, the joint-highest number recorded by a goalkeeper in a World Cup match since records began in 1966.
Room’s incredible night started just three minutes into the game when Ecuador captain Enner Valencia broke through on goal. With only the goalkeeper to beat, Valencia looked certain to score. However, Room reacted brilliantly, diving low to push the ball around the post and deny Ecuador an early lead.
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That save set the tone for the rest of the match.
Time and again, Ecuador attacked, but Room stood firm. By the final whistle, the veteran goalkeeper had frustrated the South Americans with a string of outstanding stops, helping Curaçao claim their first-ever point at a FIFA World Cup.
Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown was full of praise for the goalkeeper after the match.
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“Take a bow, Room. Absolutely magnificent,” Keown said.
“The number of saves, you were almost getting a calculator out at the end of the game to count them up. His reactions were first class.”
Room’s 15 saves matched the World Cup record set by former United States goalkeeper Tim Howard against Belgium in 2014. However, unlike Howard, Room kept a clean sheet as Curaçao held Ecuador scoreless despite facing 27 shots.
The achievement was another special chapter in the career of the Dutch-born goalkeeper.
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Born in Nijmegen, the Netherlands, Room represented the Dutch youth teams before switching his international allegiance to Curaçao, the homeland of his father. Former Netherlands striker Patrick Kluivert, who managed Curaçao in 2015, convinced him to join the national team.
Room enjoyed a successful club career in the Netherlands, making more than 200 Eredivisie appearances. During that period, he won the league title with PSV Eindhoven and lifted the Dutch Cup with Vitesse.
He later moved to the United States, where he joined Columbus Crew and helped the club win the MLS Cup in 2020. He also received the league’s Save of the Season award before eventually joining Miami FC.
The experienced goalkeeper has also played a key role in Curaçao’s rise on the international stage. In November, he made a crucial save in a goalless draw against Jamaica, a result that secured the nation’s place at the World Cup.
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Away from football, Room enjoys playing padel and believes the fast-growing racket sport helps sharpen his reflexes. Those reflexes were certainly on display against Ecuador as he repeatedly denied the South American side.
Playing in front of 68,598 fans at Kansas City Stadium, Room delivered the performance of his life and etched his name into World Cup history.
“I still have to process it myself,” Room said after the match.
“The first save gave me confidence and we all grew into the game. This was a team effort.
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“We kept fighting until the last minute. Earning a point this way for Curaçao is absolutely great.”
Thanks to Room’s heroics, Curaçao celebrated one of the greatest results in their football history, while their goalkeeper earned a place among the legends of the World Cup.
The final round of the 2026 U.S. Open kicks off Sunday morning at Shinnecock Hills in New York. Here’s everything you need to know to watch the tournament on Sunday, including full U.S. Open TV coverage, streaming details and complete Round 4 tee times.
How to watch U.S. Open on Sunday
Wyndham Clark is 18 holes away from capturing the second U.S. Open title of his career.
The four-time PGA Tour winner and the rest of the field faced a tougher test Saturday at Shinnecock Hills. Beginning the round with a four-shot lead, Clark grinded out par save after par save, punctuating his day with an eagle at the par-5 16th hole.
By day’s end, he’d shot an even-par 70 to head into Sunday with a six-shot lead at seven under.
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But in what is expected to be a fierce final round on Long Island, Clark may spare a worry or two about the man who will share the final pairing with him on Sunday: World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler. Scheffler fired a 69 in Round 3 to move into a four-way tie for second at one under.
Clark and Scheffler will begin their final rounds on Sunday at 2:45 p.m. ET.
You can watch the final round of the U.S. Open on TV via NBC and USA, with USA beginning the coverage at 9 a.m. ET on Sunday. The Round 4 TV coverage will switch to NBC at 12 p.m. ET, with a live simulcast of NBC’s broadcast available on Peacock. Peacock, USOpen.com and the USGA app will provide featured group coverage starting Sunday morning at 7:55 a.m. ET.
Below you will find everything you need to know to watch the final round of the 2026 U.S. Open.
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How to watch on TV Sunday
NBC and USA will provide final-round TV coverage of the 2026 U.S. Open. USA opens the coverage from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. ET on Sunday, followed by NBC’s broadcast from 12-7 p.m. ET.
How to stream online Sunday
You can stream the final round of the 2026 U.S. Open via Peacock, USOpen.com and the USGA app, which will all offer featured group streaming coverage starting at 7:55 a.m. ET on Sunday. Peacock will also provide a live simulcast of NBC’s Sunday TV coverage from 12-7 p.m. ET.
Here’s the full U.S. Open streaming schedule for Sunday:
U.S. Open Round 4 Coverage: 12-7 p.m. ET (Peacock) Featured Groups: 7:55 a.m. ET – finish (Peacock, USOpen.com, USGA App)
Trainer Bjorn Baker has concluded a remarkable week with a significant local victory.
His rapidly improving gelding, Midnight Dynamite, triumphed in Saturday’s Listed Civic Stakes (1400m) at Royal Randwick.
This win follows closely on the heels of Overpass’s gallant third place in the King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot. Overpass is slated to compete again this week in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (1200m).
Baker, who was trackside in England for Overpass’s debut, left the horse in the skilled care of his racing manager Luke Hilton. Baker returned to Sydney on Thursday night to oversee his domestic stable.
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“It was a great trip, and he ran so well, Overpass,” Baker stated. “We’ve got a pretty special horse here too in Midnight Dynamite. He is putting together a marvellous record for Darby Racing, and he was dominant today.”
Midnight Dynamite is amassing an impressive record, with eight wins from twenty career starts and three victories from his four starts this preparation.
Baker admitted that the horse’s consistent improvement has caught the stable by surprise, and he feels the four-year-old has not yet reached his peak.
“He’s been a horse who has surprised us, just how well he is going, and how he keeps improving,” he said. “When he gets in better grade, if he ever hits a really wet track, he’s going to be very tough to beat.”
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The Winter Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill on July 4 is the probable next target for Midnight Dynamite, and jockey Jason Collett shares Baker’s positive assessment of the gelding’s potential for further advancement.
“He is only getting better,” Collett remarked. “This preparation he has gone to another level so that says time is a good thing for him. He ticks a lot of boxes, and he’s going through the handicaps nicely.”
Midnight Dynamite ($2.60 favourite) secured victory by 1-3/4 lengths over Whinchat ($19), who had dictated terms up front and fought on gamely, with Cool Jakey ($5) a further short neck adrift.
Looking for the best betting markets for the race? Visit our recommended betting sites.
MONTERREY, Mexico — Japan moved one step closer to reaching the knockout stages of the World Cup for the fourth consecutive time after pummeling Tunisia 4-0 in Group F.
Japan’s four goals were the most the Samurai Blue had ever scored in a World Cup game, as Japan comfortably dismantled a Tunisia side that became the first to ever fire its coach after the opening game.
Ayase Ueda scored twice, along with Daichi Kamada and Junya Itō to put Japan level with the Netherlands on four points. The Dutch are currently on top the group due to having scored one more goal than Japan across its two matches.
The loss for Tunisia means it is eliminated from the tournament. Japan are guaranteed at least third in the group, which could be enough to advance to the knockout stages.
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Tunisia appointed two-time Africa Cup of Nations winner Hervé Renard to try and rescue the Eagles of Carthage after its humiliating 5-1 loss to Sweden, but the North African nation could not contain Japan’s speedy attack nor create any clear chances of their own.
Kamada opened the scoring in the fourth minute, the fastest in Japan’s World Cup history. The Crystal Palace midfielder was perfectly positioned for Keito Nakamura’s cross and barely had to move to tap in his second goal of the tournament.
In the 31st minute, Ayase Ueda received the ball in the midfield and drove toward the Tunisia box. When Ueda opted not to pass to a few advancing runners, any chance of a goal seemed lost — but the 27-year-old fired an angled shot from outside the box which flew into the left corner of the goal to make it 2-0.
The Feyenoord striker had an impressive club season with Feyenoord, scoring 24 goals in the Eredivisie to earn the league’s top scorer award.
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In the 69th minute, Junya Itō slotted a third goal for Japan after a Ueda’s flick put Itō in a one-on-one with Tunisia’s goalkeeper Aymen Dahmen, which he finished calmly.
Ueda’s masterful looping header in the 83rd minute, his second of the night, capped off an impressive night for the Samurai Blue.
Japan, who have not lost to a European opponent in 90 minutes since 2019, will play against Sweden in Dallas on Thursday. Tunisia will play the Netherlands in Kansas City at the same time.
Every four years the world’s best attacking players strut their stuff as their nations try to win football’s ultimate prize.
And even if they are not successful in lifting the World Cup, they can etch their name in history by scoring the most goals in the competition.
So how many World Cup Golden Boot winners can you name?
After more quizzes? Go to our dedicated Football Quizzes and Sports Quizzes pages and sign up for notifications to get the latest quizzes sent straight to your device.
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