Bukayo Saka missed team training on Saturday, while Declan Rice has revealed his ongoing issue dates back to Christmas — and his early withdrawal against Croatia made it clear he is struggling to manage it. The Arsenal winger, carrying a niggling injury, trained alone ahead of England’s next clash against Ghana, deepening concerns for Gareth Southgate’s squad.
Germany’s worry list also lengthened. Nico Schlotterbeck, a Liverpool transfer target, suffered a fresh injury, and head coach Julian Nagelsmann said the centre-back will undergo a scan before adding: “It doesn’t look too good — unfortunately.” Yet on the pitch, Nagelsmann’s proactive substitutions were rewarded as Germany came from behind to break Ivory Coast hearts, winning 2-1 thanks to Deniz Undav’s 94th-minute strike in Toronto.
“Bukayo Saka missed training and Declan Rice's injury worsens as World Cup sees Curacao heroics and Germany fightback.”
The biggest story overnight, however, unfolded far from the Group E clash. Curacao, managed by former Sunderland boss Dick Advocaat, pulled off a shock draw against Ecuador. Goalkeeper Eloy Room made a remarkable 15 saves — the most ever in 90 minutes of World Cup football — and was mobbed by his teammates at the final whistle. His Instagram followers jumped by 600,000 in a matter of hours, while Advocaat was visibly holding back tears on the touchline.
Cape Verde’s Vozinha also rose to fame after keeping a clean sheet against Spain. But it was Curacao’s defiance that captured the tournament’s imagination, proving that even the smallest nations can produce moments of history.