Frances HoweUpdated June 15, 2026 — 8:09am,first published 6:12amWelcome to day fourBy Latest Posts8.09amPeru police disguised as World Cup mascots arrest a suspected drug dealerBy Lima, Peru: Two Peruvian police officers disguised as World Cup mascots Clutch and Maple helped to arrest a suspected drug dealer in Lima.Colonel Carlos Alcantara, head of the Green Squadron – a unit that combats common crime – said they captured Carlos Cabrera, 48, with the help of the two undercover agents on Thursday during the opening match of the World Cup between Mexico and South Africa.The official Maple, Zayu and Clutch at the 2026 World Cup.AP Photo/Matias Delacroix“Thanks to intelligence work, we realised that this person was a diehard football fan and was caught up in World Cup fever,” Alcantara said. “Therefore, we decided to disguise personnel as World Cup mascots so we could approach him without raising suspicion and apprehend him.”The officers as mascots used a metal sledgehammer to break down a door to enter with colleagues.7.59amJapan and Netherlands finish in 2-2 drawBy The match in Dallas has ended with Japan and the Netherlands earning a point each to top Group F. The 2-2 draw was headlined with four second-half goals and a late equaliser from Daichi Kamada in the 88th minute.This is how Group F looks now before Sweden and Tunisia play at midday AEST:7.51amJapan equalise again!By Japan have scored a second goal in the final minutes of regular time to level 2-2 against the Netherlands. The goal came from a textbook corner kick taken by Koki Ogawa, who found Daichi Kamada’s head in the box. It’s deflected off a Dutch defender and keeper Bart Verbruggen, who gets his fingertips to the ball but can’t keep it out.There will be six minutes of stoppage time.Netherlands 2-2 Japan, 90 minutesJapan are back in the game again. Getty Images7.27amJapan equalise but the Netherlands come backBy Japan’s Keito Nakamura has struck the ball from range to equalise with the Netherlands less than 10 minutes after the Oranje scored the first point of the match.Keito Nakamura celebrates with Takefusa Kubo after scoring the team’s first goal.Getty ImagesNakamura struck the ball from outside the box in the 57th minute, with an assist from Takefusa Kubo. But not long after Japan finish celebrating getting back in the game, the Netherlands get a second goal in the 64th minute.It’s another shot from outside the box, this time from Crysencio Summerville. It doesn’t look to have too much power behind it, but the angle is perfect, sweeping past three Japanese defenders and their keeper.Netherlands 2-1 Japan, 65 minutesCrysencio Summerville scores his team’s second goal past Zion Suzuki.Getty Images7.15amThe Netherlands score against JapanBy The Netherlands have scored after winning a free kick high in their attacking third.It was a foul by Ritsu Doan of Japan that gave the Oranje the opportunity. The first cross in was cleared, but a subsequent cross from the other side from Ryan Gravenberch gave Virgi Van Dijk a chance to head the ball into the back right of the net.That puts the Netherlands up 1-0 against Japan after 51 minutes.Virgil van Dijk of the Netherlands celebrates scoring his team’s first goal.Getty Images6.57amJapan 0-0 Netherlands at half-timeBy It’s all square at the break between Japan and the Netherlands in Dallas. The Netherlands have seen more of the ball, maintaining 69 per cent of possession, and unlike Japan they have at least made three shots on target.But it’s been an underwhelming match from both sides, with only one real near miss when Dutch forward Donyell Malen struck the ball in the third minute, forcing Japan’s keeper Zion Suzuki into a dive to save it.6.42amNestory Irankunda’s dad reacts to 2-0 win over TurkeyBy 6.27amWatch now: Japan v NetherlandsBy If you’re up and looking for something to watch, tune in to Japan v Netherlands right now. They’re in Dallas, Texas – home to the Dallas Cowboys. The stream is live and free on SBS. Tell us who you’ve got as the favourites:6.24amPopovic made some massive calls. It’s fair to say they paid offBy Vince RugariThe Michael Jackson dance can wait. The sequinned glove can stay in the back pocket for next time.For his first big moment on the global stage, the most important day of his life so far, Nestory Irankunda made all the right decisions – from the touch that brought down the ball, to the placement of his finish, to the celebration that followed, steeped in Socceroos mythology.Nestory Irankunda pays tribute to Tim Cahill by recreating the Socceroo’s famous goal celebration.Reuters, APAfter latching onto a marvellous long ball from Paul Okon jnr, slipping between two Turkish defenders and sliding his first World Cup goal into the bottom-left corner, Irankunda ran straight to his nearest corner flag and started shadowboxing – a trademark of Tim Cahill, Australia’s greatest performer on this stage, and, right up until that ball rolled over that line, the Socceroos’ last true household name.6.12amWorld Cup referee Omar Artan will receive full fee from FIFA despite being denied entry to the USBy James RobsonAtlanta: The Somali referee who was denied entry to the United States for the World Cup will still be paid his full tournament fee.A person with knowledge of the situation told the Associated Press that Omar Artan will still be entitled to payment despite not officiating any games at the near six-week long event. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak publicly.Referee Omar Artan, who was denied entry to the United States, is welcomed by supporters upon his arrival in Mogadishu.APThey said the fee would be determined after the tournament concludes next month.Artan is one of soccer’s top officials and was named Africa’s best male referee in 2025. But the Somali national was denied entry after arriving at Miami International Airport from Istanbul last week.1 of 2